Transforming Skills for a New Energy Era: ABB’s Karen Bomber on the Global Workforce’s Shift to Renewable Technologies
The Intersection of Technology and Energy Transition
Karen Bomber opens the conversation by shedding light on ABB’s longstanding history, spanning 140 years, in providing electrification and automation solutions across the globe. She emphasizes ABB’s commitment to not only traditional energy industries like oil, gas, and refining but also to emerging sectors such as carbon capture, offshore wind, and green hydrogen.
The conversation quickly turns to digitalization, a key theme in ABB’s strategy. Karen explains that while digitalization is prevalent in personal lives, its application in industrial settings is transformative. By utilizing digital twin technology, ABB helps predict and prevent potential failures in industrial processes, thus avoiding the release of harmful carbon emissions. This predictive maintenance capability is critical in ensuring that industrial operations run efficiently and sustainably.
Energy Transition Workforce Shift
Beyond technology, Karen passionately discusses the human element of the energy transition. She highlights the critical need for a skillset transformation among the workforce, particularly in industries historically reliant on fossil fuels. Karen stresses that it’s not merely about upskilling but about changing the skills entirely to meet the demands of new energy technologies. This shift is essential for ensuring that workers can effectively leverage the digital and technological advancements driving the energy transition.
Innovating with Carbon Capture
Karen explains that ABB, in partnership with other technology companies, is developing digital solutions to predict and capture carbon emissions, preventing them from entering the atmosphere. This technology is particularly relevant for traditional energy processes and is seen as a bridge towards a low-carbon future while maintaining energy security and affordability.
Education as a Catalyst for Change
In a reflective moment, Karen reflects on how educating society about energy consumption, carbon emissions, and clean energy is crucial for empowering individuals and communities to contribute to the energy transition. By fostering a deeper understanding of these issues, Karen envisions a future where everyone plays a role in advancing sustainable energy solutions.
