Smart grids are critical
to net zero
Liana Jo Ault, General Manager for the Energy Innovation Venture Incubator at Nokia, discusses how achieving net zero will require a combination of renewable energy and grid efficiencies, underpinned by networking technologies and driven by global collaboration.
Smart grids are critical to net zero
The race to net zero by 2050 isn’t just a countdown - it’s a call to action. Industries, governments, and individuals must align to innovate, collaborate, and reimagine their relationship with energy. Liana Jo Ault, General Manager for the Energy Innovation Venture Incubator, offers a compelling perspective to The Network Effect podcast series on how technology, partnerships, and data can help us meet this urgent goal. She stresses that achieving net zero demands a multi-pronged approach: a combination of renewable energy, efficiency improvements, and networking technologies.
“Will we make it to net zero by 2050?” host Michael Hainsworth asks Ault. Her response is measured: “Yes and no. It’s going to be very difficult. It’s going to take more than just energy efficiency. It’s about reducing our carbon footprint and being a ‘handprint’ - actively removing carbon from the atmosphere, not just cutting emissions.”
Ault is clear-eyed about the paradox technology presents. While technology can exacerbate energy consumption, it also holds the key to optimizing it. “Technology absolutely consumes a tremendous amount of energy,” she notes. “But it’s also part of the solution - whether that’s optimizing grid assets, aiding storm recovery, or helping with load control and forecast generation.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) has drawn scrutiny for its energy demands, particularly as its applications grow. Ault predicts AI will surpass electric vehicles as the largest driver of energy consumption in the coming decade. However, she sees promise in how AI can enhance efficiency. For example, digital twins allow industries to simulate and test scenarios, refining their approach before real-world implementation. “Digitalization helps us make up for lost time by forecasting and optimizing energy use,” she says.
Beyond the technology, Ault emphasized the importance of collaboration. “No one company or person has the answer,” she explains. “Bringing together diverse minds from different industries fosters cross-pollination of ideas, leading to unexpected solutions.”
One standout example is the interplay of renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydrogen. Each has limitations, but when combined within microgrids, they can complement one another to meet local demand effectively. For instance, surplus wind energy can be stored as hydrogen, bridging gaps in transmission capacity or load availability.
The aging energy grid is both a challenge and an opportunity. “Transformation of the grid to reach net zero has already begun,” Ault says, pointing to the varying maturity levels of grids worldwide. In the U.S., the centralized model of large-scale generation is shifting toward distributed systems. Europe, by contrast, has made greater strides in decentralizing its energy infrastructure.
Software-defined solutions are playing a growing role in this transformation. By integrating AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and edge computing, utilities can monitor and manage assets more effectively. Ault highlighted the critical importance of communications infrastructure: “These assets need to talk to each other. Whether it’s wireless, fiber, or another form of telecom, communication is key for a harmonized grid.”
Ault stressed the need for transparency across organizations to break down silos and maximize efficiency. “Sharing data between vendors, customers, and partners helps overcome challenges,” she says, adding that we can reduce our carbon footprint by sharing data instead of hoarding largely similar data points multiple times over.
Ultimately, achieving net zero isn’t just about technology or infrastructure - it’s about people. Collaboration across industries, data transparency, and strategic decision-making are all vital. “Knowledge is power,” Ault concludes. “Understanding what assets you have, how to get the data, and what you’re trying to accomplish is the foundation. From there, it’s about taking a strategic, use case-by-use case approach.”
The journey to net zero hinges on embracing technology, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing strategic use of data and resources. There’s no silver bullet - but by working together, industries can make meaningful progress toward a sustainable future.
