By Mark England, Director of Digital Solutions, and Phil Dingle, Director of Future Networks at Lucy Electric
The original, full-length article was published by Utility Week.
Electricity powers nearly every aspect of modern life, and with that dependence comes vulnerability. Recent outages across Europe and the UK have shown how critical grid resilience is, and why we must act now to strengthen our networks.
Automation and condition-based maintenance are no longer optional. They turn raw data into preventative action, helping operators intervene before faults occur. But large parts of the network still lack visibility, especially at medium voltage and secondary substations. Without it, faults go undetected until it’s too late.
At Lucy Electric, we’re working with network operators to unlock the value of grid data, enabling remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. This shift from reactive to proactive operations requires investment, but it’s the kind that delivers long-term returns.
Facing up to the challenge
To truly build resilience, a mindset shift is needed. The traditional break-fix model is no longer sustainable. Instead, DNOs need to evolve into Distribution System Operators (DSOs), actively managing supply and demand in real time, anticipating future needs, and using data-driven forecasting, flexibility services, and smart grid technologies.
This isn’t just a technical upgrade, it’s a cultural transformation. Investment decisions must be guided not only by cost recovery, but by system efficiency and consumer value. Updated regulatory frameworks, robust digital infrastructure, and a commitment to innovation are all essential.
Other industries, like manufacturing, already use predictive maintenance to reduce downtime and costs. The energy sector must catch up, not just for operational efficiency, but to support economic growth and ensure the smooth functioning of society.
Offering Solutions
As suppliers, we play a critical role in enabling this shift. That’s why Lucy Electric has launched a dedicated digital business unit to support network operators with scalable, innovative solutions. The time for trials is over, we’re now moving from isolated innovation projects to full-scale digital deployment.
With smart software and automation, physical interventions become the exception, not the rule. Our products must also evolve, like modern cars or smartphones, switchgear should be adaptable, receiving updates that add value over time.
This shift to Software-as-a-Service reflects a broader move toward flexibility, continuous improvement, and long-term support. Customers must also adapt, recognising that the future lies not in static, off-the-shelf products, but in dynamic, data-driven solutions.
To build a resilient, intelligent energy network, we must embrace digitalisation, unlock data, and foster collaboration across the industry. That starts with a mindset shift, from reactive to proactive, from hardware to software, and from short-term fixes to long-term resilience.
At Lucy Electric, we’re proud to lead this change, helping our customers evolve with confidence and shape the networks of the future.