Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we live and the energy sector is no exception. In this article we’re looking at some of the ways AI technology is revolutionizing renewable energy management.
AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance For Renewable Systems
Renewable energy is a crucial aspect of moving towards a more sustainable way of living and limiting the impact of climate change therefore it’s critical that renewable energy infrastructure is reliable, efficient and capable of meeting the increasing demands of the global population.
This is where new technology using AI comes into play. AI-driven predictive maintenance identifies potential issues before they cause significant downtime. The technology is able to detect errors and anomalies in the network and use data to identify whether intervention is needed to resolve issues before they escalate into more wide scale or severe problems.
This enhanced grid resilience not only ensures a more consistent energy supply for consumers but can also improve safety. For example AI can be programmed to activate disconnect switches in renewable energy systems, whether between the inverter and the grid in solar power systems or between the turbine and the generator in wind power systems. This protects both human life and also the equipment and infrastructure from potentially dangerous power surges.
Used in this way, AI technology improves the reliability of renewable energy infrastructure while enhancing both safety and efficiency.
AI Applications in the Energy Sector
Another excellent use of AI in the renewable energy sector is using AI trained technology to create smart grids that are able to respond to demand in real-time. This prevents energy waste and forecasts periods of high usage to support sustainable grid operation. For example, AI-managed smart grids can react instantly to sudden periods of high demand and manage distribution to ensure that power is directed where it’s needed most and reduce the likelihood of blackouts.
Additionally, renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind turbines, are reliant on weather patterns in order to generate energy for consumption. Therefore AI is also being used to optimize efficiency and output in solar and wind farms by the use of predictive analytics to forecast weather patterns, which allows for better energy production planning.
This same predictive technology can also be applied to the energy market itself and used to forecast energy demand, market prices and trends to facilitate a more dynamic and responsive energy market that is well-prepared and forward-thinking.
Conclusion
As in many other industries, AI technology is pushing the renewable energy sector into a new era and is already being used to improve efficiency, safety and reliability.
In particular, the use of AI in the creation and management of smart grids is helping to reshape the way we produce, distribute, and consume energy.
As AI-trained technology evolves further it is likely to play a pivotal role in meeting the challenges the global energy industry is likely to face as we move towards a more sustainable future.