Insights for what's next

Explore practical perspectives that turn complex challenges and emerging trends into real-world outcomes.

14 items
nuclear abstract
Q&A

Powering up nuclear growth: why the right planning process matters

With 37 years of planning experience, Ian Fletcher has tackled key infrastructure challenges across sectors. For the past 17 years, he’s focused on securing approvals for some of the U.K.’s most complex programs, including the Thames Tideway Tunnel and Southampton to London Pipeline. Major infrastructure demands bold problem-solving and deep collaboration—two hallmarks of Ian’s award-winning career. He has led six major development consent orders (DCOs), the planning and approval mechanism for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). Now, as civil nuclear energy becomes a Critical National Priority for the U.K., Ian is bringing his consenting process skills alongside Jacobs’ wider nuclear capability, helping guide projects through the high-stakes planning process. In this Q&A, Ian shares insights on how effective consenting can accelerate nuclear development and what’s ahead for the first small modular reactors (SMRs) in the U.K. How does getting the consenting process right help nuclear projects succeed? DCOs come with numerous commitments and conditions. It’s about getting the details right to ensure better implementation. In civil nuclear, developers face multiple hurdles, from financing to strict regulatory requirements. Planning is one of the most visible, and often most challenging, parts of the process, especially as it provides the public the clearest opportunity to weigh in. Successful consenting sometimes means pushing back, even on client requests. The key is knowing when to say yes and when to say no to protect long-term project outcomes. That decision-making depends on experience—especially in surveying, mitigation and design— where the greatest cost impacts are often defined

Ian Fletcher
Power plant with tree
Big Questions

How do we rapidly deploy resilient energy infrastructure at scale in today’s fast-paced market?

As gas generation sees a resurgence globally, clients face a new set of challenges: strained supply chains, compressed schedules and unprecedented demand. Decarbonization needs prioritizing — but challenges can arise when energy systems move faster than technology, supply chains or commercial realities allow. In many markets, gas-fired generation continues to play a critical role as a dependable source of power, especially as access to renewables increases and demand accelerates from sectors like Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers. The focus isn’t just on building gas assets; it’s on how they’re built. Today’s gas facilities are designed with adaptability in mind, enabling future transitions to lower-carbon fuels or sustainable alternatives. Speed to market, operational flexibility and lifetime efficiency are equally important, with balanced deployment strategies and diverse technology solutions meeting dual targets of reduced emissions and maximum output. This is especially evident in the surge in energy demand driven by the global data center boom happening now — particularly in the U.S. Staying ahead of the increasingly competitive landscape is a key focus for Jacobs’ Power Generation and Global Market Director Steve Vincent, who works with major corporations and developers to deploy reliable on-site integrated power generation systems for variable load infrastructure. A global perspective on energy transition A 20-year Jacobs veteran who has lived and worked across seven countries, Steve brings a truly global perspective to gas generation. His career spans all forms of power development in places like Kenya, Saudi Arabia and the U.S, leadership roles across Asia, and most

Steve Vincent
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Q&A

A view on the future of transmission & distribution: A Q&A with Freddie van der Linde

The future of our world – economically, socially, technologically and environmentally – hinges on the evolution of energy systems, networks and infrastructure. In this Q&A, we connect with Jacobs Global Solutions Director for Transmission & Distribution Freddie van der Linde to discuss the trends and opportunities ahead for transmission and distribution and how we’re tackling the energy challenge in a changing world.

Freddie van der Linde
Why Quality Must Be Our Priority
Report

Powering the future: Why net zero carbon buildings aren’t enough

Gain insights behind this powerful shift, written by industry experts Adam Selvey, Jacobs and Ahmad Makkieh, Schneider Electric, and discover how Net Zero Carbon Power offers a scalable, future-ready path to decarbonizing our built environment. As the U.K. pushes toward its Clean Power 2030 targets, significant work is underway to decarbonize our buildings in a bid to reduce both operational and embodied emissions. However, the grid supporting these buildings is aging and under growing pressure. Up to 67% of grid supply points sit at or near capacity; we face a massive challenge: growing peak demand from electric heating, electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable generation is overwhelming a system never designed to handle it. The answer isn’t just to use less energy. It means using energy differently. Introducing Net Zero Carbon Power This new approach redefines how buildings interact with the grid. Direct current (DC) microgrids, local energy storage and smart load management allow buildings to: Eliminate inefficiencies caused by outdated alternating current (AC) infrastructure Cut energy loss by up to 20% with DC-ready technologies Slash project timelines and infrastructure costs Reduce dependence on a slow-moving grid Make buildings active contributors to energy stability Why DC? Why now? Today’s renewable sources and digital devices run on DC. Each time energy converts between AC and DC, losses increase and costs rise. Hybrid AC/DC microgrids address this issue. These systems store off-peak energy, power DC equipment directly and accelerate decarbonization without the long wait for large-scale grid upgrades. About the authors Adam Selvey

Electricity pilon
Big Questions

How do we modernize power grids at scale?

Across the globe, power systems are being pushed to do more than ever before. Aging assets need replacement. Gigawatts of renewables must connect at speed. Regulators expect resilience, reliability and value all at once. Utilities are being asked to modernize entire networks while controlling costs and maintaining security of supply. Modernizing power grids isn’t about upgrading one substation at a time. It requires coordinated programs that bring engineering standards, digital workflows and delivery models together — across hundreds of assets and stakeholders — with consistency and certainty. With deep experience across alliance frameworks, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) delivery, and Owner’s Engineer roles, Prakash leads multi-year transmission and distribution (T&D) programs spanning grid reinforcement, asset replacement, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) corridors, and digital substations. He has advised on regulated portfolios involving hundreds of substations and reinforcement assets, ensuring technical consistency and delivery discipline across countries and regulatory environments. A defining part of his approach is Jacobs’ Digital for Design & Build (D4D&B) operating model. Instead of designing substations, cables and protection systems in isolation, D4D&B connects them in a shared, data-centric delivery environment. That means fewer surprises in construction, faster approvals and more predictable outcomes for utilities delivering complex capital programs. Under Prakash’s leadership, teams use digital production methods to create integrated, build-ready models that accelerate approvals, reduce schedule risk and support repeatable delivery across large asset groups. Recently, his team supported a nationally critical program in the U.K. to reinforce key north-south power corridors and enable long-term energy

Prakash Dey
Electric substation at dusk
Big Questions

How can energy providers navigate complex regulations to strengthen the power grid?

Dan Laubenthal’s passion for meteorology, weather systems and environmental science led him to a career in permitting and siting. Today he uses his passion to benefit energy clients as he works across a wide variety of transmission, renewable energy and utility operations projects designed to bolster the future of the nation’s power grid. As Jacobs’ Transmission and Distribution Market Lead, Dan helps clients understand and plan for the complexities of siting facilities, permitting, and navigating regulatory and environmental compliance. Dan joined Jacobs after working for one of the country’s largest investor-owned utilities, which also owns the largest transmission grid in North America. His utility experience brings a deep understanding of the challenges our clients face — from regulatory uncertainty and environmental impacts to stakeholder engagement and cost management. He’s built a broad network across the transmission and distribution industry, and his background in siting and permitting helps him anticipate challenges early, align teams and demonstrate how Jacobs delivers resilient energy infrastructure. Dan’s collaborative, multidisciplinary approach — which integrates environmental, engineering and stakeholder groups — is crucial for the complex and critical nature of the projects he supports. Building energy infrastructure, like transmission lines, substations and distribution networks, can span years from concept to completion so integrating teams at the forefront helps reduce risk and increase efficiency. Dan knows that transmission and distribution are central to the future of energy and works to provide support for energy companies building vital infrastructure to help move and balance energy supply. His work ultimately

Dan Laubenthal
biomimicry paper document mockup
Report

From Sustainability to Regeneration

After 3.8 billion years of evolution, nature already has solutions to our most pressing challenges. Discover how biomimicry — the innovation and design practice that learns from nature — can transform the built environment into a showcase for a regenerative world.

  • Future Foundations

    Co-creating the world to come

    From developing climate resilience and transitioning to a low-carbon future, to modernizing and transforming infrastructure, governments and businesses face critical challenges. How they respond will define our future.

    As our clients navigate these challenges, we help them think differently – working together to pioneer tomorrow's infrastructure solutions and build the foundations for a prosperous, secure future. 

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