Journey to a first-class African utility of the future

Digital Consumer

Consumer behaviours and expectations have changed, heavily influenced by digital and distributed technologies. Consumers want new services—and new ways of interacting with their utilities.

These consumer characteristics will shape how providers address and serve the consumer of the future.

Successful providers will be those that understand how and why the new consumer requires much more than the traditional utility service model. They will also recognise that strategies for interaction, new products and services, or in-home technologies should be integrated. Incorporating these demands into next-generation strategies will influence how a provider identifies and approaches new market opportunities, sources of value and, ultimately, determines its business model.

Five consumer characteristics that will shape how providers address and serve the consumer of the future:

	Energy diverse adopting a range of non-traditional energy options, including distributed generation, net metering and microgrids.
	Omnipresent supporting seamless virtual interaction anytime, anywhere.
	Individualised—personalising the energy experience to address unique needs and preferences.
	Tech savvy providing set-and-forget technologies that deliver financial savings, convenience and individual control.
	Prosumer buying and selling energy via a variety of business partners.

The digitally enabled grid

A digitally enabled grid will help utilities to meet national challenges of sustainability, reliability and security, control rising costs and support demand. A strategic roadmap addresses three focus areas critical to migration to a new model.

READ MORE: THE DIGITALLY ENABLED GRID: WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE UTILITY DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS?

The workforce of the future

Digital disruption, market-based pricing and renewable energy alternatives are challenging the traditional utility operating model. Learn how to equip and train your workforce of the future to meet the demands of a new utilities environment.

READ MORE: HOW WILL YOU FLIP THE SWITCH ON AND ENERGISE THE WORKFORCE TO POWER THE DIGITAL UTILITY?

Connected industrial worker

Companies face a huge task managing large numbers of people and assets, and maintaining safe and efficient operations. But help is on the way. The rapid growth in digital technology and the Internet of Things is ushering in a new era of smarter industrial work practices.

Here at Accenture, our Connected Platforms as a Service is being developed to give utilities fast access to the services they need.