Grid Revolution: AI and 4D Modeling Redefine the Future of Electric Utilities

• 22 January 2026
• Construction Focus
• 862 Views

The electric utility sector is undergoing a massive digital overhaul, moving beyond “buzzwords” to implement high-tech solutions that prioritize safety, cost-efficiency, and grid resilience.

A recent industry panel hosted by Bentley and Energy Central, titled Powering the Digital Utility, brought together leaders from Aquawolf, BAM Infra Netherlands, and Bentley to showcase how emerging technologies are solving age-old infrastructure challenges.

One of the most striking revelations came from Alex Richards, President of Aquawolf. Richards highlighted that replacing a single wooden transmission pole can cost upwards of $150,000.

To combat these high costs, his team is using AI-powered automation and photogrammetry to scan power lines. By creating precise 3D models from survey data, utilities can now identify which poles actually need replacing and which are still structurally sound, saving millions in capital expenditures.

In the Netherlands, BAM Infra is taking construction planning into the “fourth dimension.” Don Tesselhoff, a 4D specialist, detailed how the company used SYNCHRO 4D modeling for a complex substation project at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

By adding time to traditional 3D models, the team conducted “virtual safety walks,” allowing engineers to spot equipment clashes and safety hazards before a single worker stepped onto the site. This technology is now becoming a standard requirement for large-scale utility projects to ensure timeline precision and worker safety.

While AI and 4D modeling are the “stars” of the show, Joe Travis of Bentley warned that these tools are useless without a foundation of clean, well-governed data. As a generation of experienced utility workers nears retirement, Travis emphasized the urgency of capturing “tribal knowledge” and migrating it into open, digital formats. The consensus among experts is that interoperability—the ability for different software systems to talk to one another—is no longer optional; it is the backbone of a modern grid.

The utility industry is entering a new era. By aligning digital strategy with infrastructure needs, providers are moving toward a more resilient and future-ready grid that can handle the escalating energy demands of the 21st century.

• AI
• Bentley Systems
• Synchro 4D
• OpenUtilities
• Aquawolf