Artificial Intelligence in energy sector: Digitization and sustainability are the two pillars on which the future development of societies and the economy will be based.
The energy transition depends on technological tools to achieve its goals faster and more economically. Digitalization will not succeed if it does not position sustainability as a fundamental element of its development. One of the tools that can help accelerate the much-needed energy transition that all countries must face more equitably and which, within the industry, generates confidence in technology is Artificial Intelligence (AI).
How Can Artificial Intelligence Be Applied In The Energy Sector?
There is consensus among the managers of the world’s leading companies on the crucial impact that AI has on the energy sector in all its areas; several studies are available that reflect this. These are not changes that will come in the distant future but factors that are already changing the competitive landscape of more and more sectors and companies.
How AI will help companies are manifold and have yet to be fully explored. However, we can look at the industrial sectors and review the main developments that are happening with the help of this technology.
In the context of Energy, there are already apparent trends. As it is a traditional and mature industry, where business infrastructures – whether in production, transport or distribution – are highly critical due to their enormous impact on society and the economy, much is expected of AI as a transforming factor in the energy sector.
Examples Of AI In The Energy Sector
In recent years, a new concept has emerged: that of intelligent grids, mainly driven by Artificial Intelligence resources. These automated networks are capable of thoughtful real-time analysis, balancing energy supply and demand and detecting potential errors or fraud throughout the supply chain.
Furthermore, thanks to the AI technology incorporated in the smart grids, energy providers can more efficiently manage service failures, optimize voltage and detect consumption peaks, and parameterize the specific behavior of some customers or cities. It is also important to highlight that, through these networks, it will be possible to advance production and distribution to bring it closer to the final consumer. Consumers can benefit from using the most efficient models in each case, considering different production alternatives.
Anticipating Demand And Consumption
Incorporating Artificial Intelligence in the energy sector also allows suppliers to anticipate the demand for electricity in urban or industrial areas so that production can be adjusted to each particular need.
Predictive Maintenance
Another of the great revolutions that AI promises in this area is the predictive maintenance of electricity distribution networks. Every point of the entire supply network is monitored in real-time and can alert you when components are about to fail. This way, a possible incident can be resolved before a more severe failure occurs.
Energy Efficiency
AI is an excellent ally in the energy efficiency of companies. If it is possible to anticipate demand, monitor infrastructure and balance the energy load, electricity consumption can also be reduced thanks to the application of this technology. For example, Google uses machine learning algorithms to reduce electricity consumption by 15% and 40% in its data centers. These forecasts make it possible to understand the consumption in the plant’s cooling systems and control the equipment more efficiently.
Artificial Intelligence And Renewable Energies
Renewable energies are the big bet of governments in most countries, both due to the scarcity of resources and the possible climatic impacts of other more severe energies on the environment. Even so, although they are resources considered to be infinite (the wind, the sun and the water), they are, above all, intermittent. It is challenging to predict consumption when resources depend on certain weather conditions to bear fruit.
AI is essential to help predict weather conditions so you can anticipate how much Energy will be available at any given time.
Given the undeniable importance of the use above cases, as well as the results that are being obtained, and given the particularities of the electricity sector, it seems clear that the contributions of AI in knowledge and prediction will mark the industry’s future.
