Strategic Intelligence: Cloud Computing in Power
Summary
The cloud in energy market will be worth $54.6 billion by 2028
Cloud computing refers to computing delivered as an online service. It encompasses the provision of IT infrastructure, operating systems, middleware, and applications hosted within a data center and accessed by the end-user via the internet. The cloud is the dominant model for delivering and maintaining enterprise IT resources. GlobalData forecasts the cloud computing market in the energy sector will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22% between 2024 and 2028, from $25.0 billion to $54.6 billion.
Cloud computing will help tackle key power industry challenges
Cloud computing adoption is already widespread in the power industry for applications like centralized asset management and predictive maintenance. However, its importance will only increase as it is crucial to tackling four critical industry challenges: accelerating the energy transition, modernizing aging grids, improving productivity and efficiency, and strengthening energy security.
Cloud computing also serves as a vital prerequisite for other technologies that will define smart grids, like artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), which permit effective data collection and analysis.
Cloud computing is vital for renewable energy management
Cloud computing can facilitate the centralized management of renewable assets, which is typically difficult and resource-intensive due to factors like their sprawling geographical reach and large structural components. Cloud-based asset management platforms can aggregate real-time operational data from IoT devices embedded in renewable infrastructure, providing operators with continuous visibility into asset health and performance. Cloud-based machine learning algorithms support key applications like predictive maintenance, reducing unplanned downtime and extending asset lifespans. Critically, cloud-based platforms can scale on demand, accommodating data from new sites without major upfront IT investments and helping to manage expanding renewable project portfolios.
Cloud computing strengthens energy security
Cloud computing significantly improves the power industry’s ability to detect, respond to, and mitigate cyber threats in real-time. Utilities can deploy cloud-based security information and event management (SIEM) systems to help detect and address potential security threats.
Cloud computing also provides the scalability and flexibility required to maintain operational resilience under stress. In the event of a physical incident or cyberattack, cloud resources can be quickly scaled up or reallocated to deploy additional monitoring capabilities, run forensic investigations, and support backup control operations.
Key Highlights
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