Trend Trend L: Great energy transition

Summary

On the supply side, the share of solar, wind and other renewables is rising, and the hydrogen economy and small modular reactors are drawing attention as new options. On the demand side, smart grids and demand management using AI and digital technology are spreading, along with decarbonisation technologies for industry and transport. The trend belongs to the megatrend of climate crisis and sustainability. Its issues cover the low-carbon transition of energy supply, changes in power and demand systems as energy and AI become linked, and wider decarbonisation of energy demand. In the 2025 survey, experts judged energy-related trends, like those on technology and superintelligence, to be highly responsive to scientific and technological solutions.