2026 Resourcefulness Report Data Analytics & the Intelligent Grid

The 2026 Resourcefulness Report, Data Analytics & the Intelligent Grid: How Do Utilities Convert Intelligence into Action?, explores how electric utilities are using data analytics, grid intelligence and operational technologies to address growing energy demand and increasing grid complexity. The research is based on a survey of 700 utility leaders across North America, Australia/New Zealand and the Nordic region and examines how utilities are moving from collecting data to operationalizing intelligence across everyday operations and decision-making.

Managing growing demand on the grid emerged as utilities' most significant challenge. Utility leaders identified load growth driven by AI-powered data centers, electrification, new construction and population growth as a leading source of operational pressure. At the same time, utilities must continue to improve reliability, resilience, affordability and customer service while making the most of existing infrastructure investments.

Operationalized intelligence is the ability to move beyond collecting and analyzing data to consistently using insights to inform decisions and actions across utility operations. It connects intelligent infrastructure, analytics, workflows and employees so that information can be used in real time to improve planning, operations, maintenance, grid management and customer outcomes. According to the report, the industry's next opportunity is not acquiring more data, but putting existing intelligence to work more effectively.

Operationalized intelligence is the ability to move beyond collecting and analyzing data to consistently using insights to inform decisions and actions across utility operations. It connects intelligent infrastructure, analytics, workflows and employees so that information can be used in real time to improve planning, operations, maintenance, grid management and customer outcomes. According to the report, the industry's next opportunity is not acquiring more data, but putting existing intelligence to work more effectively.

Grid intelligence refers to the data, connected devices, analytics and visibility that help utilities better understand what is happening across their networks. Operationalized intelligence occurs when those insights are integrated into business processes, workflows and decision-making to drive measurable operational outcomes. The 2026 research suggests that many utilities have established the foundation of grid intelligence and are now focused on operationalizing it at scale.

The research found that the biggest obstacles are not a lack of data, but challenges associated with putting that data into action. Utility leaders identified technical integration as the leading barrier, followed by limited automation capabilities and data quality concerns. These findings suggest that many utilities already have access to valuable information but need stronger connections between systems, workflows and decision-making processes to fully realize its value.

Looking ahead, utilities are focused on capabilities that help them operationalize intelligence across the enterprise. The report found that enterprise integration is the leading priority, followed by executive decision support and workflow automation. These priorities reflect a broader shift from investing in isolated technologies toward creating connected systems that help utilities make faster, more informed decisions.

The research was conducted in partnership with the Blackstone Group and included 700 online surveys completed in June 2026. Participants were electric utility executives from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The findings provide insight into how utility leaders are responding to growing energy demand, evolving customer expectations and the increasing need to operationalize intelligence across their organizations.