A solid digital strategy to ensure uninterrupted supply

Water, electricity, gas, waste management: public utilities are an essential part of modern society, nearly invisible to consumers unless they stop working. The market landscape behind these crucial systems continues to evolve as green trends gain ground – renewable energy, waste prevention, the circular economy and more. Technological innovations, cross-border mergers and compliance with national and international laws and regulations pose new challenges for utility companies, particularly in terms of IT infrastructure and high-volume data processing.

Responsive grid management

The energy sector has seen exceptional turbulence in recent years. Demand for electricity continues to rise, driven in part by the increasing number of electric cars on the road. Current market trends prioritize energy sources that generate lower CO2 emissions. Some forms of greener power generation have already hit overproduction levels, producing surplus energy that could be fed back into the grid. Infrastructure and systems need to be adapted to accommodate grid-connected renewable energy systems and net metering. Balancing supply and demand in complex power grids requires careful planning and a solid digital strategy to ensure uninterrupted supply, and possibly someday achieve crowdsourced storage of surplus energy. Multinational energy suppliers want to rise to the challenge, transforming into digitally disruptive, green labels that are highly responsive to consumer priorities and preferences.

The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things also plays an increasingly major role, as the utilities sector moves towards smarter systems based on sensor arrays and detailed data. Smart systems for household use link consumers and energy suppliers, constantly exchanging data on demand and consumption. One such example is NEST, a smart thermostat that resulted from a collaboration between the utility sector and Google. These machine-to-machine connections generate data flows that may well exceed a terabyte every day – more than many market parties are prepared to process. Once utility companies and grid operators have an effective data infrastructure in place, data analytics make it possible to identify, predict and prevent maximum peak consumption.

Complex vendor landscape

Organizations achieve agility when their increasingly complex vendor landscape is under control, relying on a Service Integration and Management (SIAM) approach to define a flexible, responsive, agile sourcing strategy that combines internal and external vendors. Better governance and effective value stream definition makes it possible for clients to achieve tangible innovations, rather than aiming for the minimum viable product.

Effective digital strategy

Quint Wellington Redwood (Quint for short) is a global, independent boutique consulting firm, helping organizations to design and optimize IT-intensive processes, services and organizations. Our consultancy focuses on supporting our clients in getting the most out of their existing and new IT by defining and implementing an effective digital strategy. Together with our clients, we build roadmaps that facilitate fast and effective change, anticipating or responding to opportunities and threats. We bring technology and its application to life.

Connecting business & technology

We challenge our clients and ourselves to improve continuously, realizing tangible value together. Quint connects business and technology by sharing knowledge and arranging partnerships to accelerate change and innovation. We develop teams and people using new ways of collaboration and leadership, so that all those involved can realize their full potential and grow within the organization. Being lean and agile is at the core of everything we do.

Sustainable transformation

Quint regards people, processes and technology as factors that strengthen each other. Together, they are the basis of sustainable change. We use analysis, design and implementation to connect and improve these factors. Through training and coaching our clients, we empower their ability to change, so that they can continue their transformation after the end of Quint’s involvement.