The ongoing digitalization process is influencing our everyday life. Worldwide there are now more mobile phone contracts than people. An ever increasing number of devices are being connected to the Internet: there will be around half a billion by 2030. Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing at a rapid pace. Digital platforms are changing existing business models and creating totally new ones. Data infrastructures and information are at the heart of the digitalization process and this is giving rise to issues relating to data protection and data sovereignty. These profound changes are being described as "digital transformation" or "digital revolution". This process needs to be actively structured and subjected to future-oriented regulation, including in the area of energy supply.
The impacts of many of the developments, opportunities and risks associated with digitalization in the energy sector are not yet known. In view of this, together with an interdisciplinary team of experts the SFOE conducts ongoing analyses of significant developments and impacts of digitalization and actively supports digital innovation in the energy sector. It also encourages digitalization through various projects and carries out ongoing checks of potential or necessary amendments to the regulatory framework.
