Insights for what's next

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

14 items
Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure
Report

Investing in sustainable buildings

Reducing carbon emissions while scaling up our cities to meet the demands of urban growth has implications for how we design, construct, operate and maintain buildings. Find out why “going green” needs to be at the top of your priority list and the solutions that will get you there.

Jacobs Blue Cover White Cover
Report

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Lessons Learned Whitepaper

The global spread of electric vehicles (EVs) offers a promising solution to lowering carbon emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Successful integration of EVs heavily relies on the availability of charging infrastructure, a need addressed by the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. This new whitepaper from Jacobs explores the lessons learned from the implementation of EV charging infrastructure through the NEVI program, focusing on the key stages: planning, procurement, contracting, design, construction, and and operations and maintenance (O&M).

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.

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
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
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

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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

  • 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. 

    Visit Future Foundations
    Future-Foundations