This week in Beijing, on the Chinese mainland, the WIOTC 2025 smart energy forum highlighted how digital technologies are reshaping the energy sector worldwide ⚡.
He Qiang, vice chairman of the 2025 WIOTC executive committee, explained that big data brings transparency to complex energy operations, AI adds cognitive and decision-making muscle, and blockchain builds trust for distributed energy transactions. Together, they form an integrated digital ecosystem through IoT.
“The push for green transition has prompted over 130 countries to commit to carbon neutrality, while dissolving market boundaries are accelerating the spread of digital energy solutions from developed economies to emerging markets, including Belt and Road regions,” said Wang Yongjie, director of the Energy Working Committee of the China Information Association. Smart microgrid projects in Southeast Asia, for example, not only deliver renewable power to remote areas but also boost Chinese mainland equipment exports.
A policy document on AI-driven, high-quality energy development issued in September 2025 by the Chinese mainland aims to establish an integrated energy-AI innovation system by 2027 and achieve world-leading AI applications in the energy sector by 2030.
Han Xiaoyan, president of BOE Energy Technology CO., Ltd., shared real-world AI wins: accurate forecasting of power generation and demand, intelligent dispatch for optimized returns, quick fault diagnosis in renewable plants and smarter operations via large model–based Q&A systems. “These applications show AI’s journey from concept to a productive tool in the energy industry,” she said.
Despite the momentum, challenges persist. Outdated infrastructure struggles to integrate with modern sensors, data security risks loom in cross-border energy transactions, and long investment cycles can limit local returns. To tackle these hurdles, Wang proposed open technology platforms for sharing AI and digital twin solutions, plus stronger international standard coordination to support small and medium–sized enterprises globally.
As the theme “Intelligently Interconnected New Economy, Smart Society in the New Era” suggests, the digital energy revolution is no longer a distant vision. It’s unfolding now, driving us toward a more sustainable and intelligent global energy future 🌍.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
