Electric Utilities: Is Sustainability Sustainable? 

Energy transition evolution

The global energy transition is no longer optional. It is underway, and utilities are leading the charge. Electric utilities are working to manage major shifts, such as rising demand from electric vehicles and expanding data centers, aging infrastructure, and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions. They are making steady progress by investing in clean energy, modernizing systems, and optimizing operational plans to support a more sustainable future.

Key takeaways

• By the end of 2024, carbon emissions from the U.S. electric power sector were 41% lower than in 2005. (EEI)

• U.S. Electric Cooperatives reduced emissions by 23% between 2005 and 2023. (NRECA)

• Investor-owned utilities plan to invest approximately USD 158 billion in transmission infrastructure between 2024 and 2027. (EEI)

• Electric co-ops are leveraging billions in funding to enhance generation, transmission, and distribution systems. (NRECA)

A sustainable path forward

Given this progress, is sustainability truly sustainable? At Bentley, we believe it is. True sustainability means meeting today’s energy needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. Electric utilities can advance clean energy goals by integrating sustainability into every phase of the design process—from planning and design to construction and operations.

Joe Travis, Senior Director of Solutions Engineering

Joe Travis, senior director of solutions engineering at Bentley, explains, “By using the power of digital design and data, we’re able to help accelerate the energy transition by unlocking infrastructure intelligence. This enables utilities to transform project delivery and asset performance, optimize operations and mitigate risks, and provide clean reliable energy to their consumers in a sustainable and efficient way.”

Sustainability in action

Bentley customers around the world are demonstrating their sustainability outcomes:

• Australia: Essential Energy serves over 870,000 homes across 95% of New South Wales—one of the largest and most remote networks in the country. They wanted to lower operating costs and minimize the carbon footprint. They used drones and 3D digital twins to map substations. This approach cut design costs by 50%, reduced design-related travel by 80%, and improved safety by minimizing on-site work.

• United States: In Kentucky, two aging century-old electrical transmission towers that deliver hydro power were severely corroded. Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities Energy hired Exo Inc. to create digital twins and determine how to keep them in service. They used Bentley’s applications to accurately measure the corrosion and load states of the towers and determined that they could be restored. Using this sustainable restoration approach saved USD 80 million and avoided a decade of permitting delays. Michael D. Miller, vice president of engineering services at Exo Inc. emphasized, “The use of creating a digital twin of both the towers was paramount for this project. It could not have been accomplished in any other way.”
  
  

  

  Exo Inc. used digital twin technology and electrical design software to efficiently and sustainably restore century-old transmission towers.

• Canada: Electric utilities are addressing potential failures in their aging distribution infrastructure. EPCOR Utilities is using heat maps and asset health analytics to identify vulnerable poles and transformers before failures occur. This proactive strategy prevents fires and outages, extends asset life, and ensures reliable, clean power delivery.
  
  

Empowering electric utilities to build a sustainable tomorrow

The energy transition presents complex challenges. Yet, electrical utilities are making strides in sustainability and efficiency through strategic investments, decarbonization efforts, and digital solutions.

At Bentley, future-proofing global infrastructure is central to our sustainability vision, and the energy transition is a key focus for us. We’re dedicated to supporting your efforts with digital engineering solutions that empower electric utilities to plan smarter, build more efficiently, and operate more sustainably.

By working together today, we’re helping to power a cleaner, more sustainable tomorrow. To learn more about how to accelerate your energy transition, explore Bentley’s energy solutions.