By: Richard McIndoe

Earlier this week, Edge Zero was pleased to sponsor and attend the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Annual Conference, where utility leaders, policymakers and industry experts convened to discuss the future of the grid.

It is clear the power sector is at a pivotal moment. Leaders spoke with urgency about the need to improve the resilience of our grid to meet rising customer demand and increased expectations for reliability. There is a desire to support an increasingly electrified, distributed and dynamic energy landscape.

Speakers highlighted several key priorities:

• Investing in grid capacity and flexibility to support accelerating load growth
• Using real-time data and emerging technologies to manage power quality, reliability, and grid health
• Strengthening resilience in the face of extreme weather and wildfire risks
• Modernizing regulatory frameworks to speed infrastructure deployment and innovation
• Managing system and customer costs while delivering greater visibility and value to the customer

A Missed Opportunity

While the conference was rich with ideas and vision, one gap stood out. Many of the technology companies in attendance, including Edge Zero, already offer solutions that directly address these priorities. Yet there seemed to be few deeper conversations between these innovators and utility decision-makers.

Technologies such as real-time transformer monitoring, grid-edge visibility, automated asset optimization, and data-driven DER integration are not abstract visions. They are proven, scalable and in active deployment across networks in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. They offer utilities the tools to manage capacity better, optimize investments and enhance grid reliability now. 

Leading by Example

The Australian utility sector faces similar challenges, including demand growth, weather-related issues and geographic scale. Encouragingly, several major utilities are embracing a cultural shift from focusing solely on asset management and shareholder returns to adopting business models that serve the end customer.

• In New South Wales, Endeavour Energy CEO Guy Chalkley is reorienting the organization around customer needs, shifting key performance indicators (KPIs) from regulatory compliance to customer engagement, safety and employee experience. This customer-first mindset drives bold decisions and fosters innovation.
• South Australia Power Networks is proactively addressing the challenges of integrating mass residential solar and upcoming battery deployments. The utility is implementing flexible export limits and investing in community battery trials to enhance reliability and customer value.
• AusNet, in Victoria, is investing in solar and battery energy storage systems to improve energy reliability in communities serviced by its electricity distribution network. This initiative aims to enhance energy resilience in communities impacted by network outages and severe weather events.

These examples demonstrate that with the right leadership and focus, utilities can successfully navigate the energy transition and deliver enhanced value to their customers.

Why Agility Matters

Utilities are being asked to do more than ever—faster than traditional processes allow. In this environment, agility matters. Long procurement cycles and multi-year pilots risk falling behind customer needs and policy expectations.

Technology partners like Edge Zero — and many of the other companies in “the Hub” at EEI — can help bridge this gap. We bring innovation, speed and a deep focus on delivering operational value to utility networks as well as customer benefits and engagement. The grid is changing rapidly. The way we partner to modernize it must evolve as well.

A Call to Action

To utility executives, regulators and stakeholders, I offer this call to action:

• Engage directly with technology innovators who can accelerate your modernization goals
• Support regulatory approaches that enable faster, more flexible deployment of proven solutions
• Challenge the status quo in procurement and partnership models
• Embrace a culture of innovation and action

At Edge Zero, we stand ready to partner in building the visible, resilient grid the future demands. Let’s move from vision to action—together.