Artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining how energy systems are managed, financed, and optimised. During the SIEW Thinktank Roundtable panel session on ‘AI Integration for Smarter Grids and Sustainable Power Systems’, industry leaders and experts discussed how intelligent forecasting, predictive maintenance, and data transparency are helping utilities and financiers better manage complexity and accelerate Asia’s clean energy transition.
How AI is transforming the energy value chain
From forecasting to maintenance, panellists agreed that AI is driving greater efficiency across the energy ecosystem. Abhishek Kaul, Associate Partner at IBM Consulting, highlighted how AI-assisted grid simulations and predictive analytics are now enabling near real-time optimisation.
Concord New Energy Chief Technical Officer and Vice President, Dr Bo Zhang, described AI as “the conductor of future grids”, balancing demand and supply with unprecedented precision.
Sharing his thoughts, Will Hudson, Director of Energy & Sustainability Policy, APAC Corporate, External & Legal Affairs (CELA), Microsoft, added that AI-driven monitoring already helps utilities achieve 24/7 carbon-free energy matching, a key step toward scalable clean power.
Data transparency and collaboration will unlock AI’s full potential
Despite growing adoption, fragmented and siloed data continue to slow progress. Chin Xueyong, Senior Vice President, Project Finance, Institutional Banking Group at DBS Bank, noted that bankability depends on visibility as financiers need access to verified, granular data to assess project risks.
Ricardo Reina, Associate Partner and Senior Expert, McKinsey & Company, called for common frameworks, AI sandboxes, and data-sharing standards to encourage collaboration between regulators, utilities, and tech companies. Consensus across the panel: the energy transition will accelerate only when data becomes both open and actionable.
Human expertise must evolve alongside intelligent systems
The panellists cautioned that while AI is powerful, its success hinges on human expertise. Mr Kaul of IBM Consulting emphasised that AI should augment, not replace human decision-making, while Dr Zhang of Concord New Energy, called for new interdisciplinary skills that merge data science with energy engineering.
Further noting that AI’s true value lies in partnership, between humans and machines, and governments and industry to power an intelligent, sustainable energy future for Asia and beyond.
Stay tuned as the conversation evolves throughout the day. Follow @SIEW_sg on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest insights.