Data collection and machine learning (ML) are playing a major role in the digital transformation of the energy sector as the advanced technologies can help to maintain operational excellence, says an executive at AspenTech, a supplier of leading software for optimising asset performance.

As a kid, you might, like me, have watched the Japanese manga series Doraemon, revolving around a robotic cat that travels back in time from the 22nd century to aid a boy named Nobita. I remember wondering if the magical gadgets Doraemon produces could really exist.