AI And Its Relation To Renewable Energy

By Salah M. Alajeel 

Conventional methods of energy production are currently in use all over the world. These methods produce most of the energy that used in the world. Fossil fuels and nuclear energy release pollutants and toxins into the environment, hence replacing them with renewable methods of energy production. 

With the growth of renewable energy production methods, there have been some technical barriers slowing down the growth of such methods. One such barrier is outdated technology or inadequate technology in cases where the technologies are not ancient. 

Due to the technology problem, new technologies are always in development. One such technology is Artificial Intelligence.

AI In Renewable Energy 

Artificial Intelligence is a branch of computing concerned with building smart devices that can perform tasks that require human intelligence. The ability of machines to think and reason like a human has proven priceless in industries, one of the beneficiaries being the renewable energy sector.

Ai has been integrated into renewable energy production and distribution. Ai technology has been mated to renewable energy in grid management. Here, Ai technology is used mainly in renewable energy forecasting and the smart grid.

Renewable Energy Forecasting

Artificial Intelligence is used to forecast weather. The system would then know which renewable energy source to rely on at that particular time, whether solar, wind or hydroelectric power. This makes the system more productive.

Machine Intelligence can also predict power demand, decide how much power needs to be produced and where it needs to be sent, all in a very short time. This helps save time and streamlines the system’s efficiency.

By forecasting the weather, the system can determine how much energy will be produced at a certain time, meaning the supply and demand of power can be accurately matched. 

Smart Grids

Smart grids use Ai and data collection devices to create a power grid that creates a two-way communication channel between the users and the power producers.

Data collection devices collect information on energy usage from the consumers and send that data into the system. Using the power of Ai technology, the system processes this data and determines the minimum and maximum amount of energy a certain household would need.

The data collection devices and sensors can also be placed on the power lines and power grids. They can help sense weaknesses and breakages long before they can cause a catastrophic failure of the system.

The Benefits Of A Smart Grid

1. Increased efficiency in the transmission of power.
2. Improved security, both for the utility companies and the power consumers.
3. Faster restoration of electricity after outages. This is because the system can pinpoint where exactly the problem arose and suggest ways of fixing it.
4. Cheaper power. Reduced operation and management costs for utility companies would translate to lower power rates for consumers.

The Conclusion

Renewable energy will eventually replace non-renewable energy. The progress of integrating renewable energy into the power grid has been slow, but with this new player, Artificial Intelligence, this process will soon be accelerated.