Key takeaways
- The energy transition pivots to scaling a diverse, reliable energy mix: Clean energy is still central, but renewables alone aren’t enough
- Data center growth is rewriting the rules of power demand: Energy planning is shifting from long-term forecasting to real-time, high-stakes coordination
- Resilience and technology advancements are now the baseline: AI, storage and distributed systems are becoming essential to keep the grid reliable under growing pressure
Energy leaders are facing a new reality: the challenge is no longer whether to transition to clean energy, but how to scale it fast enough (and smart enough) to meet rising demand. Across the United States, Canada and Australia, the focus is shifting. We’re seeing the conversation move from renewables and decarbonization to building resilient, diversified power systems that can support growing infrastructure needs while delivering reliable energy to the grid.
A clear pattern is emerging. The energy mix is expanding, and so is the need for more coordinated, flexible approaches. Success will depend on the ability to manage complexity, scale efficiently and adapt to rapidly evolving demand.
Energy mandates are holding, but the mix expands
Despite national policy and market headwinds in the United States, renewable energy remains central to energy security strategies across Canada, Australia and individual U.S. states. At the same time, there is growing recognition that renewables alone are not enough. Power supply must expand to include a broader mix of sources, such as natural gas, nuclear, waste-to-energy and biogas digestion, to ensure reliability and resilience.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a key part of this evolution. Increasingly deployed as standalone assets, BESS are helping to stabilize grids and manage variability. While some U.S. federal tax incentives have expired, we still see BESS being supported both in the United States and Canada with more projects adopting storage-first strategies. In fact, U.S. utility-scale storage capacity is projected to exceed 60 gigawatt-hours in 2026, according to a report released by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.
Australia also encourages grid-scale BESS under their current policy as well as recognizes the potential value of pumped hydro as an alternative energy storage option to help balance evolving demand.
This reflects a broader reality: the grid needs flexibility and resilience as much as power generation.
Data center demand is rewriting the rules
Surging electricity demand, particularly from data centers and AI infrastructure, is rapidly reshaping the power generation landscape. According to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), data centers could consume 9%-17% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030, up from 4% of total load in 2023.
Once considered a niche load, data centers are now central to global infrastructure. Their scale and speed of growth are straining existing grids and exposing the limits of traditional planning models.
Energy planning is no longer a long-term, linear process. It’s becoming a real-time challenge that requires continuous adaptation. In response, utilities, developers and technology companies must collaborate much more closely together to align infrastructure development with evolving demand in ways the industry has never done before.
Resilience and advancements in technology are now the baseline
As demand accelerates, structural challenges, from copper supply constraints to interconnection delays, are becoming more visible. Addressing them requires a shift toward more flexible and intelligent energy systems. Virtual power plants (VPPs), distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS) and microgrids are gaining traction as tools to balance supply and demand and enhance resilience.
Meanwhile, traditional energy sources are being reimagined as part of a more diversified power mix. In the United States, LNG exports are projected to triple by 2030, while nuclear energy is gaining renewed momentum with growing interest in small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced reactor technologies. This shift is reflected in the addition of a new nuclear project to Canada’s major projects list. SMRs represent a new generation of nuclear technology, designed to be smaller, safer and more flexible than traditional reactors, with typical outputs of around 300 megawatts.
AI is also emerging as a critical enabler. From predictive maintenance to real-time load forecasting, AI-driven analytics are helping energy organizations manage complexity, improve decision-making and optimize system performance at scale.
Together, these tools are transforming energy systems from static infrastructure into dynamic, data-driven networks.
What this means for energy leaders
To succeed in this next phase of the energy transition, organizations should focus on:
- Diversifying energy portfolios to balance renewables with firm and flexible power sources
- Designing for resilience by integrating storage, distributed systems and grid-enhancing technologies
- Adapting to real-time demand by modernizing planning and operational approaches
- Embedding digital capabilities such as AI and advanced analytics across energy systems
- Strengthening collaboration across sectors and regions to scale infrastructure and secure supply chains
Partnering on the path forward
The energy transition is defined by the ability to scale a complex, interconnected system under increasing pressure. Organizations that can integrate diverse energy sources, respond to rapidly evolving demand, and leverage data and technology to drive smarter decisions will be best positioned to lead in the years ahead.
Our clients are navigating an increasingly complex energy landscape, and we support them in building strategies that are resilient, scalable and grounded in real-world demand. From BESS siting and environmental permitting for renewables and LNG to integrating AI into infrastructure planning, we’re helping shape a smarter, more sustainable energy future.