DANIEL FISHER
AI IN SUSTAINABILITY
“ Grids were not originally set up for such a fast-paced energy system,” McKinsey stated in a 2024 report.
“ Their tools and processes were developed in a slower, less volatile world.”
CREDIT: BALKANSCAT VIA GETTY IMAGES
Are‘ smart grids’ the solution? Increasingly, AI is being touted as a solution to grid problems that are giving energy executives sleepless nights.
According to KPMG’ s latest Global Tech Report, many energy companies are actively exploring AI’ s applications in grid infrastructure and beyond.
“ AI is set to change the future of energy, and investing in it will bring value,” says Daniel Fisher, Principal at KPMG US Digital Lighthouse and co-author of the Global Tech Report.
One of AI’ s main applications in the sector is in real-time energy management.
AI can monitor the grid in real time, identifying imbalances and adjusting power flow to prevent overloads and blackouts.
It can also automatically reroute energy or isolate affected areas quickly in case of a fault, which could minimise the impact of outages.
AI can also manage energy demand by optimising consumption patterns incentivising users to shift their energy usage during peak periods.
This would help to balance the intermittency of renewable energy sources.
KPMG Office, Toronto, Canada
DANIEL FISHER
TITLE: PRINCIPAL
COMPANY: KPMG US DIGITAL LIGHTHOUSE
Having previously spent two decades at Accenture, Daniel joined KPMG in 2015, where he is now the the US Lead for KPMG’ s Low Code, Integration, Modern Data Platforms & Analytics business.
156 May 2025