Unlocking Strategic Value Through IERE’s Technology Foresight: A Member’s Perspective

In a rapidly evolving global energy landscape, the ability to anticipate disruptive technologies and align internal R&D strategies accordingly is no longer optional—it is essential. For members of the  IERE, the Technology Foresight reports released between 2017 and 2023 have become an indispensable resource for navigating uncertainty and staying ahead of the innovation curve.

Since its first publication in 2017, the IERE Technology Foresight series has helped member utilities, manufacturers, and research institutes gain structured insight into emerging technologies across the power sector—from advanced materials and smart grid controls to long-duration storage and hydrogen systems. Updated biennially, these reports distill global member contributions into a practical, forward-looking evaluation of more than 100 technologies, with a deep dive into the top 10–20 most critical for the next decade.

For utilities under regulated or deregulated environment, membership in IERE offers more than just access to these reports—it provides strategic foresight grounded in real-world engineering, scientific and field experiences. Members benefit from detailed studies into each identified emerging technologies based on maturity, relevance, and system impact. These assessments help R&D teams and management prioritize their technology portfolios and align pilot projects with their own interests and needs.

What distinguishes IERE’s foresight from other publications is its independence from commercial agendas and regional perspectives. Reports are peer-reviewed by decision makers, engineers and strategists from utilities and research bodies. This ensures a high degree of practicality, technical feasibility and credibility, especially for utilities seeking to validate new investment pathways without sales or policy pressure.

Moreover, IERE’s closed-member format allows for frank, pre-commercial exchanges. Members can benchmark their internal roadmaps against those of other utilities, gain access to comparative field data, and develop joint initiatives with reduced technical and financial risk.

In a world increasingly shaped by extreme weather conditions, influx of AI, supply chain instability, electrification demands, and digital threats, IERE’s Technology Foresight reports offer members a structured way to:

• Avoid blind spots in R&D planning
• Justify innovation budgets with global peer input
• Identify strategic partnerships
• Future-proof asset investment decisions

For any organization serious about long-term technical leadership in the electric power industry, IERE membership is not just a connection—it’s a strategic advantage to build a global fellowship among peers.

——Profile of John W M CHENG, PhD, P.Eng.
Member of Technology Foresight Committee, Former Board member and retired from CLP, Hong Kong SAR, Member of IERE since 2001.

“My involvement with IERE began during the TIS meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2010, marking the start of what has now been fifteen enriching years. During my tenure with CLP Research Institute (CLPRI), I had the privilege of supporting IERE in advancing various global research projects and engaging regularly with a remarkable network of global experts and fellow researchers across diverse fields. Among the many initiatives IERE has spearheaded, the Technology Foresight series and the transformer aging projects have proven immensely valuable, particularly for senior management staff and engineering teams within our organization. Since my retirement from CLPRI in 2017, I have been deeply gratified to witness the continued success of the Technology Foresight series, as well as advancements in the transformer aging and AI application projects, which continue to benefit the industry greatly.”