How Predictive AI is Helping the Energy Sector

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be on everybody’s lips right now. In the past year alone, we have seen the many new and exciting applications for predictive AI within the energy industry to help it better maintain and optimise energy assets. The advances in the technology have been nothing short of rapid. The challenge, though, has been in supplying the ‘right’ data to make them effective. However, that is being overcome thanks to the wider digital transformation of the energy industry. 

We are not only seeing the use of predictive AI to inform when an asset is at a higher risk of sustaining damage and in need of preventative maintenance, but seeing the technology combined with weather and traffic data so as to support dispatching engineers to a site optimally. This is proving to be instrumental in increasing the reliability of the entire energy system.

Deciphering patterns within the data

Whilst the continued transition towards net-zero has to be applauded, it is disrupting both the supply and demand side of the energy system. Electric vehicles (EVs), residential solar, and electric heating are all continuously changing demand patterns. At the same time, an increase in renewables on the grid is causing fluctuations in supply capacity. 

Add to this the more frequent extreme weather events that we are seeing and are now affecting each and every corner of the world. These weather events simultaneously impact both the supply and the demand, making deciphering patterns within the data particularly challenging. A lot of what is grabbing headlines right now in the media is the use of predictive AI to learn these new patterns and deploy models into use rapidly to support demand flexibility. Yet, matching demand to available supply is the inverse of the traditional energy system. 

By being able to better predict when the energy system will experience an imbalance in supply and demand means that the charging of EVs, for example, can be scheduled better to ensure the balancing of the grid. The reward is cheaper electricity for all. Additionally, if the charging can coincide with when there is a renewable energy supply, then the CO2 associated with that demand can also be reduced so it is a win-win.

Innovating projects coming to the fore

A big risk to the energy sector is, of course, energy imbalance as this could lead to potential blackouts. The ability to accurately forecast is imperative to being able to mitigate supply-demand imbalance. 

Extreme weather not only impacts supply and demand profiles but can damage power lines and prevent power plants from operating properly. Thankfully, there are already certain innovative projects, such as one being driven by Scottish Power, that are aiming to better predict when extreme weather events will lead to power outages and where these outages will occur by provide enhanced intelligence throughout the system.

Balancing at an increasingly granular level

Balancing the energy system has always relied on being able to accurately predict customer behaviour. But this was always at the aggregate level when suppliers could turn up and down the energy supply at will. Now, though, there is a greater need for localised predictability as distribution grids become more active with two-way power flows caused by distributed energy resources, and grids are balanced at an increasingly granular level.

Thankfully, with predictive AI, it is now not only possible to learn customer demand patterns at the individual consumer level but even at the appliance level. Although not widely utilised yet, predictive AI is being used more and more to support demand side flexibility, particularly with things like electric heating and EVs – often the largest loads in a house or building. If a building has an energy storage system, that too is more likely to come with optimisation algorithms informed by predictive AI that can learn usage patterns to schedule battery import and export.

Changing the energy sector for the better

According to a recent GlobalData report, predictive AI is already driving measurable improvements in renewable energy forecasting, grid operations and optimisation, the coordination of distributed energy assets, and demand-side management within the energy industry. Further, in predicts that the technology will play a major role in enhancing asset optimisation and customer segmentation in the years to come. This is good to see.

There is no doubt that emerging technologies such as predictive AI is changing the energy sector for the better, whether it be detecting and repairing faults, better predicting weather patterns, or providing more accurate usage monitoring. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the technology in the years to come. Whilst the future for predictive AI is exciting, it is still in the emerging technologies phase and needs to overcome the challenges often seen when scaling up. 

To truly become successful, there also needs to be rigid governance procedures added to ensure the quality of data used to train the new predictive models are up to scratch. It will be important to confirm the integrity of all training data through detailed logging, auditing trails, verification frameworks, and oversight procedures. And then to continuously evaluate the datasets for emerging issues. In my view, that is where a lot of digitalisation of the energy sector will focus over the coming year. For example, the industry has already started to envision a digital twin of the energy system where predictive AI and open data combine to better plan and operate a much more distributed and flexible energy system.

Colin Gault head of product at POWWR

Gault has spent over 15 years working in the energy sector. In his most recent role, Gault ran Digital Innovation for Scottish Power, where he was responsible for evangelising innovative technology and developing agile ways of working. Although he started out in more technical roles as a consultant and analyst, his passion for innovation, collaboration and problem solving has led to him spending the last decade in product roles.

At POWWR, Gault leads the Product Management team and is tasked with establishing more strategic, consistent, and value-driven processes. By providing a clear overview of the energy market, Gault works with his team to ensure POWWR’s solutions are user-centric and benefits driven.

The need to eradicate platform dependence

Sue Azari • 10th March 2025

The advertising industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Connected TV (CTV), Retail Media Networks (RMNs), and omnichannel strategies are rapidly redefining how brands engage with consumers. As digital privacy regulations evolve and platform dynamics shift, advertisers must recognise a fundamental truth. You cannot build a sustainable business on borrowed ground. The recent uncertainty surrounding TikTok...

The need to clean data for effective insight

David Sheldrake • 05th March 2025

There is more data today than ever before. In fact, the total amount of data created, captured, copied, and consumed globally has now reached an incredible 149 zettabytes. The growth of the big mountain is not expected to slow down, either, with it expected to reach almost 400 zettabytes within the next three years. Whilst...

What can be done to democratize VDI?

Dennis Damen • 05th March 2025

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) offers businesses enhanced security, scalability, and compliance, yet it remains a niche technology. One of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption is a severe talent gap. Many IT professionals lack hands-on VDI experience, as their careers begin with physical machines and increasingly shift toward cloud-based services. This shortage has created a...

Tech and Business Outlook: US Confident, European Sentiment Mixed

Viva Technology • 11th February 2025

The VivaTech Confidence Barometer, now in its second edition, reveals strong confidence among tech executives regarding the impact of emerging technologies on business competitiveness, particularly AI, which is expected to have the most significant impact in the near future. Surveying tech leaders from Europe and North America, 81% recognize their companies as competitive internationally, with...

How smart labels are transforming supply chains

Sharath Muddaiah • 27th January 2025

As e-commerce continues to rise globally, the impact of just-in-time manufacturing and rising consumer expectations mean the need for real-time visibility has never been greater. Smart labels directly address this demand, offering solutions to long-standing challenges like shipment delays, theft, and the lack of traceability. With the smart label market projected to grow from $14.1...

The rise of loyalty apps

Sue Azari • 17th January 2025

Increased choice and a consumer more price sensitive than ever before, has made customers far more likely to shop around for the best deals. Price is now the number one factor in brand consideration. In an effort to bag a bargain, loyalty programs have become increasingly popular with consumers, with nine out of ten in...

Rocket launch challenges Elon Musk’s space dominance

Professor Sultan Mahmud • 16th January 2025

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s space company has blasted its first rocket into orbit in a bid to challenge the dominance of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The New Glenn rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 02:02 local time (07:02 GMT). It firmly pits the world’s two richest men against each other in...