Avangrid bets on advanced technologies to modernise American energy grids

Avangrid brought together over 150 energy stakeholders in Cambridge during its annual forum to accelerate the development of technological solutions involving artificial intelligence, storage, and infrastructure resilience.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Energy group Avangrid, a subsidiary of Spanish conglomerate Iberdrola, held the eighth edition of its Innovation Forum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, bringing together key industry figures, academic researchers and specialised startups. The event took place at The Engine, a technology incubator founded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as part of a week focused on energy-related technological innovation.

Over 150 participants attended, including representatives from universities such as Harvard and MIT, the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). Discussions centred on the industrial application of solutions including battery storage, artificial intelligence analytics systems, dynamic power line monitoring, and robotics for substations.

Industrial partnerships and the challenge of energy resilience

In addition to the conferences, Avangrid hosted startup pitch competitions and organised a professional networking programme with students. These initiatives align with the company’s strategy to expand its technology portfolio while supporting the integration of emerging solutions into power grid operations. In 2024, the company invested $107mn in innovation projects, including collaborations with startups such as Tyba, LineVision and Boston Dynamics.

Highlighted pilot projects included improving high-voltage line resilience, automating substation operations and deploying advanced energy storage solutions. The stated objective is to enhance infrastructure development planning while reinforcing response capabilities during extreme events.

Critical technologies and startup recognition

A dedicated startup competition session led to the selection of Firescape, a company founded by former members of Sandia National Laboratories, specialising in predictive wildfire risk analytics. The company, based in Albuquerque, uses machine learning and remote sensing to help utility operators prevent disasters and manage on-site incident response.

The week concluded with a student recruitment initiative involving around 80 candidates from science-based academic programmes. These young professionals engaged with company leaders and explored career opportunities in energy grid modernisation and critical infrastructure management.

Maersk and CATL have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding to strengthen global logistics cooperation and develop large-scale electrification solutions across the supply chain.
ABB made several attempts to acquire Legrand, but the French government opposed the deal, citing strategic concerns linked to data centres.
Aramco becomes Petro Rabigh's majority shareholder after purchasing a 22.5% stake from Sumitomo, consolidating its downstream strategy and supporting the industrial transformation of the Saudi petrochemical complex.
Chevron India expands its capabilities with a 312,000 sq. ft. engineering centre in Bengaluru, designed to support its global operations through artificial intelligence and local technical expertise.
Amid rising energy costs and a surge in cheap imports, Ineos announces a 20% workforce reduction at its Hull acetyls site and urges urgent action against foreign competition.
Driven by growing demand for strategic metals, mining mergers and acquisitions in Africa are accelerating, consolidating local players while exposing them to a more complex legal and regulatory environment.
Ares Management has acquired a 49% stake in ten energy assets held by EDP Renováveis in the United States, with an enterprise value estimated at $2.9bn.
Ameresco secured a $197mn contract with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory to upgrade its energy systems across two strategic sites, with projected savings of $362mn over 21 years.
Enerflex Ltd. announced it will release its financial results for Q3 2025 before markets open on November 6, alongside a conference call for investors and analysts.
Veolia and TotalEnergies formalise a strategic partnership focused on water management, methane emission reduction and industrial waste recovery, without direct financial transaction.
North Atlantic and ExxonMobil have signed an agreement for the sale of ExxonMobil’s stake in Esso S.A.F., a transaction subject to regulatory approvals and financing agreements to be finalised by the end of 2025.
The Canadian pension fund takes a strategic minority stake in AlphaGen, a 11 GW U.S. power portfolio, to address rising electricity demand from data centres and artificial intelligence.
Minnesota’s public regulator has approved the $6.2bn acquisition of energy group Allete by BlackRock and the Canada Pension Plan, following adjustments aimed at addressing rate concerns.
The Swiss chemical group faces two new lawsuits filed in Germany, bringing the total compensation claims from oil and chemical companies to over €3.5bn ($3.7bn) in the ethylene collusion case.
Statkraft continues its strategic shift by selling its district heating unit to Patrizia SE and Nordic Infrastructure AG for NOK3.6bn ($331mn). The deal will free up capital for hydropower, wind, solar and battery investments.
Petronas Gas restructures its operations by transferring regulated and non-regulated segments into separate subsidiaries, following government approval to improve transparency and optimise the group’s investment management.
Marubeni Corporation has formed a power trading unit in joint venture with UK-based SmartestEnergy, targeting expansion in Japan’s fast-changing deregulated market.
Exxon Mobil plans to reduce its Singapore workforce by 10% to 15% by 2027 and relocate its offices to the Jurong industrial site, as part of a strategic investment shift.
Phoenix Energy raised $54.08mn through a preferred stock offering now listed as PHXE.P on NYSE American, with an initial dividend scheduled for mid-October.
TotalEnergies plans to increase its energy production by 4% annually until 2030, while reducing global investments by $7.5bn amid what it describes as an uncertain economic environment.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.