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Artificial Intelligence applications allow the potential of industries to grow through operational efficiency and better process development. The potential of renewable energy in the energy ecosystem is increasingly beyond debate. However, in recent times, the need for this type of energy of the future to be more efficient, both in terms of development and productivity and from an operational point of view, has been put on the discussion table. In this context, artificial intelligence emerges as a solution that allows renewable energies to be optimized. This is already being put into practice through different tools, from the use of predictive models to determine when supply and demand will fall to the detection of behavior patterns through the analysis of large volumes of data. READ ALSO: • Analog computing
• Learn all about Computer Vision
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Remarkable growth of the renewable energy sector
According to the study by Selectra, the reports presented by McKinsey and the oil company British Petroleum (BP), renewable energies will grow significantly in the coming years. McKinsey predicts that they will account for more than 50% of global power generation by 2035, while BP's forecast is slightly more conservative, saying they will be "only" about 30% of energy in 2040. At the same time, Latin America could experience a true energy transformation at the hands of renewable energies, according to the opinion of Alfonso Blanco, executive secretary of the Latin American Energy Organization (Olade). This was stated in the seminar "Overview of the impacts of COVID-19 on energy markets in Latin America and Brazil", where he stated that the pandemic is an opportunity to make room for new models. By this, he means businesses supported by renewable energy driven by a change in consumption patterns. According to Blanco, "we are facing a change of era, as the aspects associated with smart grids, self-production of energy, and distributed generation are elements that we will have to keep in mind and will have to incorporate."
Paradigm shift
According to another study conducted by Microsoft and PwC, new technologies like AI can bring a change in the rules of how industries impact the environment. However, creating a global shift requires more than just belief, and data must be grounded in solutions and new agreements. In this way, the study indicates that using AI for environmental applications has the potential to increase the global GDP by 3.1 to 4.4% and also reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by around 1.5 to 4.0% by 2030. This same report highlights that the use of AI in energy has the greatest impact on reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by up to 2.2%.
Specific artificial intelligence solutions in the renewable energy sector
Now, in this context, the specific question that must be asked is: how can AI provide specific solutions for the development of the renewable energy industry? Selectra also highlights that an article from Business Insider provides some interesting examples. In this regard, it emphasizes that "artificial intelligence allows for anticipating the drop in electricity production in relation to consumer demand to stabilize the amount of energy available in the system." Thus, this application helps avoid blackouts or electricity supply shortages at specific times and places where demand cannot be met solely by renewable energy. Furthermore, AI uses Big Data and data analysis to predict up to 36 hours in advance in which geographic areas renewable energy production will drop and what additional demand peaks will occur. AI algorithms take weather patterns and trends into account to predict where wind or solar intensity will decrease and, therefore, in which areas there will be lower renewable energy production and an increase in electricity demand. In the case of AI, Selectra identified a series of trends in which energy sector companies have already made progress: • Advanced monitoring: Remote control rooms supported by IoT, sensorization of operations, and AI. They serve to show conclusions and behaviors to the teams monitoring and operating the facilities, comparing all types of operational variables.
• Early damage detection: Use of AI to predict weather disasters that prevent access to certain areas of the power distribution grid.
• Remote supervision and support capabilities: Many companies rely on augmented reality solutions when there is a need to offer a second opinion from experts who are not on-site.
• Reduction of recurring operations: Uses AI for image processing, automatic information reading, and recognition of correct/incorrect patterns through image processing. This allows for the automatic validation of repairs or interventions carried out, thereby reducing the need to dispatch a team.
In short, AI is part of the present, and companies producing renewable energies are incorporating it into their operations. Therefore, these trends are expected to develop even further in the coming years and new solutions will be incorporated, making AI an absolute protagonist in the growth of the sector. Want to know more about artificial intelligence and computer vision solutions for your company? Pix Force has the answer for you. Get in touch with us!
Fabio Caraça
Fábio Caraça is the Chief Growth Officer at Pix Force. He leads Pix Force's transformation into a scalable SaaS operation, combining strategic vision, culture, and high-impact execution.
