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In today’s energy sector, digital transformation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. As industries navigate sustainability goals, efficiency demands, and reliability challenges, technology is reshaping the competitive landscape. At the forefront of this transformation is Shankar Narayanan, an executive leader in AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation for the energy industry.
Shankar has over 17 years of experience in Energy, digital technologies, and strategic partnerships. He has led teams at numerous Fortune 500 companies such as AWS, GE, and Baker Hughes, playing a pivotal role in driving digital transformation at each juncture. His work has contributed to billions of dollars in revenue, demonstrating the business impact of AI-driven innovation. Through these roles, he has cultivated deep expertise in AI and cloud computing for sustainability and modernization in energy.
Shankar’s contributions span various groundbreaking initiatives, including leading the Bloom Energy and Baker Hughes fuel cell partnership, overseeing the AI-driven digital transformation of U.S. refineries, and playing a key role in AWS Energy Partnerships to accelerate AI-driven energy initiatives and revenue growth. His leadership in these areas led to his selection among the top 1% for an executive leadership program at Baker Hughes. Beyond corporate leadership, he is a recognized thought leader, contributing to Forbes, Energy Tech Review, and industry forums such as the ASME Fluids Division & IJSCM. He also actively mentors the next generation of energy innovators, serving as a judge and mentor in prestigious energy competitions and incubators, including the Global Energy Show, Conrad Energy Challenge, Plug and Play, VC network, ION Alliance, and the Rice Business Plan Challenge.
In this conversation, Shankar discusses how digital technology is becoming the energy industry’s next competitive edge.
Q: How did you get started in your field?
Shankar: I started my career as a Mechanical engineer at GE, where I worked on industrial machines. To deepen my expertise in digital technology, I pursued a Master’s degree at Texas A&M, specializing in control systems modernization, graduating at the top of my class. After completing my degree, I rejoined GE, where I led the industrial control systems group, focusing on optimizing and upgrading legacy systems. Over time, I expanded my scope into condition monitoring, analytics, and asset performance management, leveraging emerging technologies to enhance operational reliability and efficiency across energy sectors.
Q: How has AI affected your career?
Shankar: AI has fundamentally transformed my approach to solving operational challenges in the energy sector. I have leveraged AI/ML and Generative AI to enhance reliability, reduce emissions, and improve asset performance for numerous oil and gas companies. Through AI-powered predictive maintenance, companies have been able to anticipate failures, optimize maintenance schedules, and reduce unplanned downtime. My work with Shoreline AI, for example, has demonstrated how AI-driven solutions can provide real-time monitoring and analytics to unlock new levels of efficiency, sustainability, and profitability in the Oil & Gas midstream sector.
Q: You recently wrote about the challenges of modernizing industrial control systems. Can you elaborate on how legacy architectures impact digital transformation?
Shankar: Absolutely. One of the key challenges in digital transformation is overcoming the limitations of traditional industrial architectures, such as the Purdue Model. Originally designed for a pre-cloud era, the Purdue Model segments operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) into strict layers, creating barriers to real-time data access and AI-driven automation. However, as energy companies integrate AI, IoT, and cloud computing, they need a more flexible and hybrid approach that allows secure data exchange while maintaining cybersecurity compliance.
I’ve worked with energy firms & utilities to transition from rigid, legacy architectures to modern hybrid cloud-edge models, enabling real-time analytics, AI-powered predictive maintenance, and improved security through Zero Trust frameworks. This shift ensures that companies can optimize operations without compromising security or regulatory compliance.
Q: How is digital transformation shaping the energy industry today?
Shankar: Digital transformation is driving unprecedented changes across the energy value chain—upstream, midstream, and downstream. AI, cloud computing, digital twins, and edge computing are enhancing operational efficiency, improving asset reliability, and reducing carbon footprints. Companies that embrace these technologies are gaining a competitive edge by optimizing production, enhancing safety, and reducing downtime. Digital tools also enable predictive maintenance, ensuring that critical infrastructure remains operational and reducing unplanned failures. According to McKinsey research, while a large percentage of companies may undertake digital transformations, only around 16% of them actually see sustained, significant benefits from those efforts, meaning that a majority of digital transformations fail to achieve their full potential despite the high investment made. This highlights the importance of having a strong execution strategy to ensure real impact.
Q: What role does AI and Generative AI play in the energy sector’s transformation?
Shankar: AI, particularly Generative AI, is revolutionizing how energy companies process data, make decisions, and optimize operations. In predictive maintenance, AI-driven models analyze historical and real-time data to detect anomalies before they cause equipment failures. In energy trading, AI algorithms enhance forecasting accuracy, helping companies optimize energy distribution and reduce costs. Generative AI, in particular, is enhancing workforce training by creating simulations that mimic real-world operational challenges, allowing employees to develop problem-solving skills in a risk-free environment.
Q: You’ve spoken about the need for intelligent industrial ecosystems. Can you elaborate?
Shankar: The future of energy lies in interconnected industrial ecosystems where AI, IoT, and digital twins work in sync to optimize operations. This means integrating advanced controls, real-time monitoring, and asset performance management across refineries, power plants, and renewables. For example, in oil and gas, digital twins replicate physical assets virtually, enabling engineers to test and optimize performance without disrupting operations. In renewables, AI optimizes wind and solar farms by forecasting weather patterns and adjusting generation accordingly. These innovations drive efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance the bottom line.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges companies face when adopting digital solutions?
Shankar: One major challenge is overcoming resistance to change. Many legacy energy companies are accustomed to traditional operating models, and shifting to digital requires a cultural shift. Another challenge is integrating new digital solutions with existing infrastructure. Many energy companies operate on decades-old systems, and implementing AI, cloud, and IoT solutions must be done without causing operational disruptions. Lastly, cybersecurity remains a concern—companies need robust security frameworks to protect their digital assets from cyber threats.
Q: Can you share examples of how digital technology is transforming different energy sectors?
Shankar: Absolutely. In upstream oil and gas, AI-powered seismic data analysis enhances exploration accuracy, reducing drilling risks and costs. In midstream, IoT sensors and AI-driven predictive analytics improve pipeline monitoring, preventing methane leaks and ensuring safe transportation of hydrocarbons. Downstream refineries are using digital twins and AI-driven process optimization to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. Across power and utilities, cloud-based energy management platforms optimize grid reliability and integrate renewable energy sources seamlessly. Each of these transformations showcases how digital technology is making the industry smarter and more sustainable.
Q: What advice do you have for energy companies looking to accelerate their digital transformation?
Shankar: First, develop a clear execution strategy—technology alone is not enough. Digital transformation must be aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Second, prioritize high-impact partnerships. Collaborating with technology leaders, startups, and industry partners accelerates innovation and ensures seamless implementation. Third, invest in workforce training. Digital transformation is as much about people as it is about technology. Equipping employees with AI, cloud, and data analytics skills will drive long-term success.
Q: What do you see as the future of energy in the next decade?
Shankar: The energy industry will become more autonomous, intelligent, and sustainable. AI and automation will play a bigger role in optimizing production and distribution. Digital twins will become standard practice, enabling real-time simulations for performance optimization. Hydrogen, battery storage, and carbon capture technologies will gain traction, supported by AI-driven efficiency models. Energy companies that embrace digital transformation will not only drive profitability but also lead the charge toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Q: What is your ultimate vision for digital transformation in energy?
Shankar: My vision is to build an energy industry where digital technologies such as AI/ML, Cloud and Generative AI enable smarter, more sustainable operations. I want to see companies move beyond incremental improvements and embrace full-scale digital reinvention. By leveraging advanced analytics, automation, and interconnected industrial ecosystems, we can create an industry that is not only more efficient and profitable but also environmentally responsible. I also hope to contribute to global energy policy, mentor future leaders, and invest in startups that are shaping the next era of energy innovation.
The future of energy
In the coming years, Shankar B Narayanan plans to continue playing a pivotal role in transforming the global energy landscape. He aims to further reshape the industry by leveraging a combination of AI, automation, digital twins, advanced controls, and energy transition technologies. He also aspires to influence global energy policy, invest in startups, and drive multi-billion-dollar industry collaborations.
