Nearly three quarters (74%) of senior executives believe smart grids and grid software are crucial enablers of the clean energy transition, accelerating progress on renewables, energy efficiency and electrification.

This is according to the biennial Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor, which surveyed 1400 senior executives and government representatives in 19 countries across energy, buildings and industries.

It found that 65% of companies in the energy sector believe electrification is the most feasible way to achieve net zero.

Energy industry executives expect increased use of autonomous systems to lower operating costs, improve energy efficiency and provide greater reliability.

The study explores the state of the infrastructure transition across energy, industry and buildings. According to the research, over 70% of energy sector respondents believe digital technologies, particularly AI and grid software, are essential to enabling the clean energy transition. Such technology supports the integration of renewables, transition to electrification, and optimisation of energy efficiency, all of which are key to reducing fossil fuel use.

Over half (59%) of energy industry leaders plan major investments in autonomous systems for grids, and 68% view them as crucial for cutting emissions. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of organisations in the sector say, over the next three years, AI will transform how their business operates, with 74% saying AI is helping make critical infrastructure more resilient.

Respondents indicated the most likely outcomes from increased use of autonomous systems to manage power grids were lower operating costs, increased energy efficiency and greater reliability.

While the 2025 study indicated significant progress on a number of important goals such as the phase-out of fossil fuel energy and the expansion of large-scale energy storage and renewable generation compared with results in the 2023 monitor, there are still opportunities for even greater progress.

Indeed, over half of companies in the energy sector (58%) say uncertainty about future energy system design is delaying investment in clean energy technologies. And, while 65% agree electrification is the most feasible way to achieve net zero energy systems, 73% report it is being held back by inadequate grid infrastructure.

“Outdated grid infrastructure poses a serious threat to the clean energy transition,” said Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO of Siemens Grid Software. “By harnessing digital technologies to move towards autonomous grids, it is possible to boost grid capacity, ensuring its reliability and resilience. To that end, regulation must also keep pace with digitalisation and innovation, ensuring that our energy systems are equipped to meet the demands of a clean energy future.”

For more on the survey, go to www.siemens.com/global/en/company/insights/infrastructure-transition-monitor-2025.html.

• Siemens has launched Gridscale X Flexibility Manager, helping distribution system operators (DSOs) increase the use of existing grid capacity and accelerate grid connections for distributed energy resources (DERs) and data centres in a flexible way.

Gridscale X is a software platform that paves the way for autonomous grid management. It is part of Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform that lets users accelerate their digital transformation easier, faster and at scale. Gridscale X Flexibility Manager (www.siemens.com/global/en/products/energy/grid-software/operation/gridscale-x-flexibility-manager.html) lets operators forecast potential grid congestion and proactively manage flexible resources. It complements traditional grid reinforcement efforts by unlocking existing network capacity and enhancing operational stability.

The software integrates with DSO systems to monitor grid conditions continuously and forecast potential overloads. When constraints are predicted, it identifies available flexibility options from distributed resources, such as electric vehicles, heat pumps, batteries or distributed generation. It then supports operators in selecting and activating the most effective measures via connected market or operator platforms to balance the grid. By using the software, DSOs can increase grid capacity use by up to 20 per cent and save up to 40 per cent in grid investment costs by leveraging flexibility.