Study on the future sign detection in areas of academic interest related to the digitalization of the energy industry

Abstract

Abstract The energy industry has been undergoing various changes through convergence with information and communication technologies. We need to recognize the trends of the energy industry digitalization and prepare for the future to respond appropriately to such a rapidly changing environment. We suggest an alternative to analyze quickly and effectively academic abstracts in text form that is accumulated every day and to improve the insight of energy policymakers, researchers, and market participants. This study introduces a framework for searching for future signs using three dimensions. First, ‘interest,’ second, ‘change,’ and third, ‘association.’ Using the proposed future sign detection model, we show results of the future signs of the digitalization in the energy industry. This study looked at the future signs of the energy industry from various angles, focusing on weak signals. In the technology sector, blockchain, fog, microbattery, etc., in the stakeholder sector, small medium enterprises, peer, and so on, and in the service area sector, campus, substation, hotels, etc. were highlighted as weak signals. Furthermore, documents with high similarity to the main signals are extracted to better understand the meaning of the signals. This study is expected to be highly valued in areas where the speed of change is fast.