AI ‘Will Have a Important Influence on Power Trade,’ EPRI Tells Congress

For greater than a decade, EPRI has been learning AI and its potential impacts on the power sector, and within the final 5 years, the institute has accelerated its actions round AI and knowledge science. To this point, EPRI has been involved in more than 70 projects associated to AI functions within the power sector.

As EPRI analysis has discovered, AI may also help power corporations enhance effectivity of current property, help with wildfire threat analysis and early-stage detection, support vegetation administration and storm restoration, and optimize power utilization, amongst different advantages.

“AI permits computer systems and people to work together extra successfully to enhance security and reliability whereas lowering prices,” Renshaw testified earlier than the Home Power and Commerce Subcommittee on Power, Local weather, and Grid Safety. “That is accomplished by permitting people to do what people do finest – inventive considering and coping with new or unexpected conditions, whereas computer systems do what computer systems do finest – speedy, correct computations,” he mentioned.

“Whereas AI has come a great distance in a brief period of time, there are nonetheless many extra alternatives to unravel current challenges right now, in addition to issues for moral and accountable use of AI,” Renshaw famous. Amongst urgent issues:

• Information privateness and safety: AI fashions are sometimes skilled on massive datasets, which can comprise personally identifiable data or different delicate knowledge. Steps must be taken to make sure the safety and privateness of the info.
• AI-assisted cybersecurity: EPRI and different corporations are creating instruments to proactively monitor and deal with suspicious cyber-related exercise.
• Information: With out enough amount and high quality of information, AI programs can doubtlessly produce inaccurate outcomes that can be utilized in decision-making processes.
• Workforce coaching: Folks should be skilled on how and when AI is the best software to make use of and when it isn’t.

“Clearly, AI may have a big impression on the power trade, doubtless each constructive and unfavorable. It’s anticipated that, by the introduction of AI, utilities will be capable of make the most of its advantages for sustaining or enhancing security, affordability, reliability, effectivity, and environmentally pleasant power manufacturing,” Renshaw concluded.

A replica of Renshaw’s ready testimony is on the market here. To study extra about EPRI’s AI work, go to www.ai.epri.com.

About EPRI

Based in 1972, EPRI is the world’s preeminent impartial, non-profit power analysis and growth group, with workplaces all over the world. EPRI’s trusted consultants collaborate with greater than 450 corporations in 45 nations, driving innovation to make sure the general public has clear, secure, dependable, reasonably priced, and equitable entry to electrical energy throughout the globe. Collectively, we’re shaping the way forward for power.

SOURCE EPRI