How human-centric design and digital tools are empowering the electric workforce
Electrification of tomorrow
05 September 2025
7 min
human-centric design and digital tools

The global energy transition is accelerating. But its success depends on more than cables, copper, and capital; it hinges on the thousands of skilled field workers installing the Grid Accessories like joints, terminations, and connectors that electrification requires.

Yet as energy demands rise, so does pressure on this workforce. Tripling grid investment by 2030 won’t be limited by material supply, but rather by a growing shortage of qualified and skilled technicians. The most decisive factor in the success of the energy transition is no longer just technology or resources. It is the people who build and maintain the grid.

To address this challenge, the energy sector must activate three strategic levers:

1

Redesign tools, components, and packaging with ergonomic, human-centric principles to make installation, maintenance, and repair faster, safer, and more intuitive.

2

Integrate digital technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), to automate quality checks, reduce errors, and guide technicians with real-time feedback during installation.

3

Deploy immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR) to strengthen field training, reduce installation errors, and enable real-time troubleshooting and remote support.

Designing for people: A foundation for grid reliability

Grid technicians are on the front lines of the energy transition. Yet many of the products they work with are not designed with their realities in mind. Poor ergonomics, unintuitive interfaces, and complex installation sequences increase fatigue, raise error rates, and drive costly reworks. In fact, up to 75% of network outages are due to problems with the installation of accessories.

Designing from the installer’s perspective turns product development into a strategic enabler of grid performance. Human-centric design prioritizes intuitive use, real-world behavior, and ​​the physical experience of the technician, not just the engineering specification.

This begins with field observation: understanding how technicians move, use tools, and manage physical strain. By identifying pain points in cable and accessory installation, designers can reduce unnecessary complexity and optimize for real-life conditions.

Practical examples:

  • A redesigned MV joint that cuts installation steps from 65 to just 17, dramatically reducing the potential for error.
  • An ergonomic, modular joint system that simplifies handling and minimizes physical strain.

These changes, grounded in installer feedback and ergonomic testing, lead to safer, faster, and more consistent installations.

Human-centric thinking also extends to packaging and logistics. Intuitive solutions like retractable handles, wheeled reels, and universal spools improve transportation and handling. These “low-tech” innovations play a high-impact role in reinforcing a more resilient, human-centered grid, while also supporting sustainability.

human-centric design and digital tools

Digital tools: Augmented support for a skilled workforce

While ergonomic design meets the physical needs of field workers, digital tools provide cognitive and procedural support, guiding installation, verifying compliance, and enabling real-time insights.

AI-powered applications like Infracheck allow field workers to verify installation quality using a standard smartphone or tablet. The system combines image capture with AI analysis to deliver instant feedback on joint assembly, cable positioning, and conformity with installation instructions. This reduces human error, shortens verification time, and supports less experienced technicians with clear, guided ​​​​workflows.

AR further enhances this digital support by delivering real-time guidance and feedback that strengthens field training and installation quality. By combining visual instructions with instant assessments, AR supports installation accuracy, problem solving, and remote assistance, while facilitating faster learning in the field. As energy providers look to onboard and upskill field teams more efficiently, AR is becoming a key tool for field-based training and ongoing professional development.

In practice:

  • A major energy provider uses AR to guide field teams working on LV panels.
  • AR is also being deployed for on-the-job training, closing skill gaps, and reinforcing correct procedures without the need for in-person supervision.

Together, these tools transform field operations, from being error-prone and reactive to being guided, precise, and proactive.

How AR is transforming cable installation

Here are just a few ways AR is transforming installation and maintenance in the field:

Empowering the workforce: The strategic lever of electrification

At the core of these innovations is a shared goal: empowering the workforce behind electrification.

Achieving clean energy targets won’t be solved by infrastructure alone. It requires investing in people, giving them the tools, training, and support they need to succeed in the field.

That’s why the shift to intuitive design and smart digital tools is no longer optional. It is foundational. The future of grid reliability will be shaped not by what we install but by how and by whom it is installed.

The future of electrification won’t be wired by machines alone. It will be built by skilled hands empowered with smarter tools.

 

Nexans is leading this evolution by embedding human-centric thinking and transformative technologies across its entire portfolio. From ergonomic joints to AI-enabled QA platforms, Nexans is helping utilities equip their workforce to work faster, safer, and with greater confidence.

Photo of Moussa Kafal

Authors

Moussa Kafal leads the Grid Reliability portfolio at Nexans, spearheading the development and global deployment of advanced solutions that enhance the performance, integrity, and resilience of power networks. Holding a PhD in Engineering and executive credentials from HEC Paris, he bridges deep technical expertise with strategic acumen to accelerate energy system transformation. Moussa oversees key initiatives across Europe, North America, LATAM, and APAC, positioning Nexans as a leading smart grid solutions provider in a rapidly evolving digital infrastructure landscape.

Photo of Maxence Astier

Maxence Astier is Cold-Shrink Technology Technical Manager at Nexans. He is an experienced R&D leader in the energy and electrical infrastructure sector. Since joining in 2015, he has taken on strategic roles ranging from software design and embedded systems development to leading projects in electric vehicle charging infrastructure (IRVE).From 2020 to 2023, Maxence was Director of Operations IRVE, overseeing EV charging network deployment and operations. Earlier, he led R&D innovation projects in IRVE, combining technical expertise in embedded systems with a focus on electric mobility. Maxence is known for his cross-functional leadership, innovation in e-mobility, and strong expertise in both hardware and software systems.