The electricity industry continues to face growing challenges related to reliability, resilience, aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, and increasing demand. Following attendance at IEEE PES T&D 2026, NM Group’s Peter Stirratt and Jeremy Campbell identified several themes that consistently emerged throughout the conference and discussions across the industry.
One of the strongest messages from the event was the ongoing shift away from traditional, schedule-driven asset management towards more risk-informed and data-driven decision-making. Utilities are increasingly using technologies such as LiDAR, satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, and remote sensing to better understand asset condition and prioritise interventions based on actual risk rather than fixed maintenance cycles.
Wildfire resilience also remained a major area of focus. Discussions highlighted how utilities are taking a broader view of risk, moving beyond vegetation clearance alone to consider the full range of factors that contribute to ignition potential and network vulnerability. Asset condition, vegetation proximity, weather conditions, operational strategies, and system-wide risk assessments are becoming increasingly interconnected parts of wildfire mitigation programmes.
Another recurring theme was the growing importance of geospatial intelligence. Across vegetation management, asset inspections, storm response, and network planning, utilities are increasingly integrating LiDAR, aerial imagery, and other remote sensing data into operational workflows. Accurate, up-to-date information is becoming a critical foundation for making informed decisions and improving network resilience.
The conference also highlighted increasing expectations from regulators, stakeholders, and customers. Utilities are being asked to demonstrate measurable improvements in reliability while balancing affordability and operational efficiency. As a result, the ability to quantify risk, justify investment decisions, and provide evidence of programme effectiveness is becoming increasingly important.
The overarching takeaway from IEEE PES T&D 2026 was clear: resilient networks depend on accurate, actionable intelligence. As utilities continue to navigate a rapidly evolving operating environment, data-driven approaches supported by high-quality geospatial and engineering information will play an increasingly important role in strengthening network performance and supporting long-term resilience.
NM Group would like to thank the organisers, speakers, and industry participants who contributed valuable perspectives and insights throughout the event.