Author: Peggy Smedley
The power and utilities industries face countless challenges: the transition to renewable energy, aging infrastructure, cybersecurity, regulations, resilience, storage, decentralization, and the aging workforce, just to name a few. But with the right combination of technology and strategies businesses can face these hurdles head on. Let’s explore just a few in more depth today. The Energy Transition Perhaps one of the biggest is this transition to renewable energy. Laurent Boinot, senior digital architect, worldwide power & utility sector, Microsoft, recently told me on The Peggy Smedley Show that all industries are having to adapt in terms of sustainability and what…
I recently had an opportunity to spend a few days in Chicago at Procore Groundbreak 2023—and while the product announcements certainly hit the mark in terms of meeting the needs of today’s contractors—it was the conversations around workers and culture that had the greatest impact. And to be candid is what the writers, influencers, and attendees are still talking about will continue to talk up in the days to come. Tooey Courtemanche, founder and CEO of Procore, kicked off the show saying everyone in the audience had an obligation to take on the challenge to transform the construction industry, saying…
EVs (electric vehicles) are driving onto the scene in many areas of the world, offering greater opportunities for drivers and communities to save money in the long run and to contribute to a healthier living environment for all. Growth is imminent too, with the share of electric cars in total sales more than tripled in three years from about 4% in 2020 to remarkable 14% in 2022. The IEA expects to see 14 million in sales by the end of 2023, representing a 35% year-on-year increase. As a result, electric cars could account for 18% of total car sales across…
If we want to be honest about what is coming next, AI (artificial intelligence) will impact nearly every vertical market, okay every market, every workload. In fact, Gartner places generative AI on the peak of inflated expectations on the 2023 hype cycle for emerging technologies, anticipating it will reach transformational benefit within two-to-five years. From the rate of change at this point, I think that gap is too wide. I see innovation even sooner. But there is more to consider. It’s not just AI. Now, we need to envision how edge, cloud, IoT (Internet of Thing), digital twin, digital transformation,…
From health and wellness to safety and security to energy efficiency, the right lighting provides so many benefits to today’s homeowner. A certain amount and the type of lighting can sync people’s bodies to the right circadian rhythm, while also creating the mood and ambiance that homeowners want. So now that we know this, it begs the question: When building a new home or retrofitting an existing home, do people consider smart-lighting solutions? Research shows 13% of U.S. households have a smart light bulb and 6% have a smart-lighting control system. Now, keep in mind in this research, 1% is…
What is keeping contractors up at night? Two big areas I hear a lot are the labor shortage and the supply chain—and the two challenges actually go hand-in-hand. Both affect project timelines, ultimately having an real impact on the bottomline. Looking at the numbers from the ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors), we know in 2022 there was a deficit of 650,000 workers to keep up with demand. Going into this year, 2023, the number is not much lower. There is still a deficit of 590,000 workers. This is a conversation I was having recently with Beth Buerger, director of product…
We all know AI (artificial intelligence) offers huge opportunities and huge risks for various industries, many of which we have discussed here on the blog. Today, let’s unpack what this will mean for one specific vertical market: healthcare. I have great hope for AI. But with great technology comes great responsibility. And as much as I do not want to encourage more regulation when it comes to human health, sometimes the risk outweighs the rewards. But let’s continue to talk and unpack this hefty issue a little more. Healthcare is a critical, vital industry that requires research, hands-on care, and,…
Innovation is key to achieving a more sustainable world and to reach the decarbonization goals that many have set as a target for the years ahead. To limit warming to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels—as outlined in the Paris Agreement—global greenhouse gas emissions will need to peak before 2025. Then they must decline by 43% by 2030 and to net zero by 2050, according to the United Nations. We continue to see many organizations come together to come up with unique ideas that will lead to more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. Consider the example of Holcim, which has a purpose…
As we move forward into a new era of work, with technology in the office, at the jobsite, and everywhere in between, we must continue to determine how to best train workers on the task at hand and the systems, tools, and equipment being used. This is vital for everyone’s safety and for the overall success of the project. Across the world, we continue to see new programs and initiatives aimed at training construction workers. Africa Case Study Let’s start in Gabon, in West Central Africa, where XCMG Machinery is partnering with AVIC Intl. Holdings Corp., to support local technical…
With the rise of generative AI (artificial intelligence), many businesses are looking to generate a better understanding of how this specific technology could fit within a business context. Case studies are always a great way to better understand how a technology may fit within a certain industry or business. We know roughly 90% of CIOs have already integrated generative AI into their processes and 99% are planning to ramp up investment in the next 3-6 months. Today, let’s explore one specific case study for generative AI that is already underway. Lumen Technologies works in the telecommunications industry, providing metro connectivity…