Energy in the Digital Age

Stifel IRIS is pleased to release the first part of its latest white paper “Energy in the Digital Age – Part 1: Empowering Physical Infrastructure with Data Intelligence,” a comprehensive investigation into the technological and structural transformation reshaping the global energy sector and the emerging opportunities within the transition to a fully electrified future.

The energy sector is undergoing a fundamental shift from a legacy, centralised, and inflexible utility model to a dynamic, data-driven intelligence platform. Electricity demand is expected to double by 2050, driven by the rapid electrification of transport, industry, and buildings. At the same time, renewable energy, now significantly cheaper than fossil-fuel generation, is accelerating the shift away from the traditional centralised utility model toward a more flexible, data-driven energy system. This transition introduces new challenges. As wind and solar expand and could represent over 90% of electricity generation by 2050, grid stability becomes increasingly dependent on advanced forecasting, software-driven flexibility, and energy storage solutions capable of managing intermittent supply.

In this evolving landscape, the grid itself is becoming an intelligent platform. Technologies such as AI, edge computing, and real-time analytics are enabling smarter energy management while supporting the rise of the “prosumer”, households and businesses that generate, store, and manage their own electricity. The report also explores how the traditional energy value chain is being reshaped through new models such as hybrid Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and smart Energy Management Systems (EMS), all of which are redefining how energy markets operate.

To learn more about these structural shifts, including our analysis of emerging PPA models and the roadmap toward full renewable integration, download the full Energy in the Digital Age white paper.

Written by Thomas Mordelle and Mahaut Arnaud.