How are electric utilities using AI in our transmission system today?
Utilities are usually apprehensive of new technology, but that's not stopping them from using AI to drive efficiency
Electric utilities have historically been known for being risk-averse and thus, hesitant to be the first users of new inventions. Before thinking about deploying it, they usually wait for private companies to try it first. This trend might be changing, though, as many utilities are quickly adopting AI solutions that are custom-built for their use cases. This week’s newsletter briefly discusses how our electric utilities are using AI to keep our grid up and our power flowing.
What are the main things that they’re using AI for?
Predictive maintenance is one of the main use cases. Advanced software and drones with AI cameras are being used to keep track of equipment health and help utilities replace circuit breakers, transformers, and power lines before they go down and cause outages.
It’s also being used for demand forecasting and grid optimization. Smart meters, distributed energy resource management software, and advanced SCADA systems use AI to help utilities make real-time decisions on when to sell or procure excess power.
Legacy Outage Management Systems (OMS) have also started using AI models to quickly pinpoint fault locations and dispatch repair crews during outages.
Which utilities are using it, and who are they buying it from?
There are tons of legacy processes that utilities can improve with AI, and many of them have started implementing the technology to improve those processes.
NextERA Energy is using their own AI platform for preventative maintenance, and it’s already cut maintenance costs by 25-30% for their renewable operations (AInvest)
National Grid invested in an AI Company called Avathon and their working together to analyze historical failures and predict future ones to prevent downtime (National Grid).
Pacific Gas and Electric worked with Microsoft and Schneider Electric to build and deploy EcoStruxure DERMS, an AI-powered distributed energy resource management system. It helps utilities to monitor their resources, forecast future need, and control their fleet of power generation systems remotely (Microsoft).
Xcel Energy is using AI to improve its transmission interconnection process, a process that is notorious for slowing down or killing potential projects. This is one of my favorite use cases because I’ve been stuck in the interconnection queue before. They’re working with GridUnity on this (Renewable Energy World).
California Independent System Operator (CAISO) is using AI to automate and optimize their outage management process. It’s still an early-stage pilot program, so there are no results to look at yet. They’re partnering with OATI to test it out (APPA).
What does this mean for you?
Utilities: Come up with a plan to implement AI and keep an eye on these deployments to see how they work out.
EPCs/Contractors: Utilities will need help selecting and implementing AI into their systems. Become knowledgeable on the available options so that they can turn to you for help.
Sources
Using AI to Optimize Critical National Infrastructure | National Grid Partners
Xcel Energy finds a partner to modernize Western interconnection