The Impact of AI on Renewable Energy

Over the past ten years, global electricity generated by solar increased 10x. Another 10x increase is possible by 2034, providing abundant clean energy. In today's episode, I detail how A.I. can help us get there. 10x ☀️ GROWTH: • Solar panels cover an area the size of Jamaica, providing 6% of global electricity. • Solar capacity doubles every three years, increasing tenfold each decade. • Projected to provide 60% of world's electricity by 2034 if trend continues. • Solar could become the largest source of all energy by the 2040s. VIRTUOUS ECONOMICS: • Cost of solar-produced electricity could drop to less than half of today's cheapest options. • Virtuous cycle: Increased production lowers costs, driving up demand. • No significant resource constraints unlike all previous energy transitions (i.e., wood to coal, coal to oil, oil to gas). • All of the main ingredients (silicon-rich sand, sunny places, human ingenuity) are abundant... so the virtuous economic cycle can proceed unhindered. KEY CHALLENGES (and how to address them with data science): 1. Energy Storage and Grid Management: • Complementary storage solutions needed for 24/7 energy demands. • A.I. can optimize battery management systems. • Machine learning can enhance energy-grid management. 2. Heavy Industry, Aviation, and Freight Electrification: • Machine learning can optimize battery architectures. • A.I. can enhance synthetic fuel (e-fuel!) production processes. 3. Solar Energy Production Optimization: • A.I. for discovering new photovoltaic materials. • Generative A.I. to predict successful solar project locations. • A.I. to optimize solar-panel production processes. IMPACT: • Cheaper energy will boost productivity across all sectors. • Improved accessibility to essential services for billions. • Breakthroughs in drinking-water access through affordable purification and desalination. • Opportunities for unforeseen innovations in an era of energy abundance. Hear more on all this (including about a dozen resources for learning more about how you — yes, you! — can address climate/energy challenges with data science) in today's episode. The "Super Data Science Podcast with Jon Krohn" is available on your favorite podcasting platform and a video version is on YouTube (although today's episode's "video" is solely an audio-waveform animation). This is Episode #804. #superdatascience #machinelearning #ai #climatechange #solar #energy

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 "𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿" 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗱 (& 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀). Prosumer is a made-up term that combines "producer" and "consumer." Energy consumers are often still connected to the central grid. However, they can produce and store energy, often through photovoltaic solar panels and #EV batteries. By generating power, consumers can reduce their monthly expenses or sell the surplus to utilities, creating a promising financial opportunity. This is a significant step towards financial independence for households and businesses, with an increasing number of entities connecting their solar panels and EV fleets to the grid. Past reports from the United Kingdom and the United States reveal dissatisfied customers with power firms. With the increase of energy suppliers and consumers, utilities must use intelligent solutions to foster improved customer involvement and satisfaction. Artificial intelligence (#AI), the driving force behind intelligent grids, is crucial in addressing energy challenges. It assesses all the specific parameters and constraints and takes action to achieve particular goals, such as integrating renewable energy, stabilizing energy networks, and reducing financial risks. This technological advancement gives us hope for a more sustainable and stable energy future. For example, AI's self-learning, flexibility, and computation capabilities have tremendous potential for addressing renewable energy's intermittent nature. An imbalance in production and consumption peaks, commonly symbolized by "the duck curve," can make these energy sources challenging to govern. The application of AI in #smartgrids will help alleviate this issue by adjusting production and consumption loads. UK distribution system operators recently launched initiatives using smart meter data to help users improve energy management, optimize network loads, and cut carbon emissions. The recent feedback from a joint survey by BMG and Ofgem demonstrates rising consumer satisfaction with using new technologies and the data they use to help prosumers save money. #energygrid #BI #BigData #smartmeters

what if AI could fly a kite underwater and power your entire island?   the Faroe Islands just cracked renewable energy's code using AI-powered underwater kites.   they deployed Minesto's tidal energy system.    6 AI-controlled kites fly underwater in figure-8 patterns.    they generate electricity from ocean currents.   what makes this breakthrough special:   → autonomous operation AI steers each kite without human intervention    → real-time adaptation systems adjust to changing tidal conditions instantly   → predictable baseload power unlike solar or wind, tides are completely reliable    → grid intelligence AI forecasts energy output and balances supply with demand   smart algorithms maximize energy extraction while SKF Group's AI-driven sustainability metrics optimize maintenance schedules. the system learns from marine conditions and prevents costly breakdowns before they happen.   this is AI integration for sustainability.   the Faroe Islands prove that combining AI with physical systems creates reliable, scalable solutions for complex challenges.   autonomous systems that adapt to unpredictable environments solve problems across manufacturing, logistics, and resource management.   the Faroe Islands aim to hit 100% renewable energy by 2030.    AI is a big reason why they might just make it.   video credits: visit faroe islands   #greentech #sustainability #renewableenergy 

Earlier today, I had a really insightful chat with one of our younger team members. He was pretty concerned about how we're not pushing AI enough to tackle the global climate crisis. The casual coffee conversation made me reflect on the AI Sustainability Paradox. As business leaders, we often see AI as an innovation powerhouse—optimizing operations, reducing waste, and driving smarter resource management. But let's be clear: AI isn't a silver bullet. It comes with its own challenges, particularly energy consumption and ROI justification. With 2023 recording the hottest temperatures, the climate crisis demands immediate action. The real question isn't whether AI can help—it's how we deploy it effectively without undermining sustainability itself.   At its core, AI is a system optimizer, helping businesses uncover inefficiencies and make data-driven decisions that drive sustainability. Whether it is AI-driven material discovery that identifies sustainable alternatives faster than traditional R&D or Precision Agriculture where AI optimizes water, fertilizer, and pesticide use - AI is truly a sustainability accelerator.   Here's the catch, though—AI is energy-hungry or that's what it seemed till DeepSeek rattled the world. Remember, the same AI models that optimize supply chains, also require massive computing power! Data center are not emission free zone.   It's the classic ROI dilemma: Would you invest in a machine that consumes 30% more energy if it improves efficiency by 45%? The same logic applies to AI—the key question is whether its sustainability benefits outweigh its energy costs.   Here are my two (read three) cents… 1. Optimize AI's Energy Use: Invest in energy-efficient data centers and cloud solutions to reduce AI's footprint. 2. Use AI to Reduce Carbon Emissions: AI can monitor emissions, optimize renewable energy storage, and automate energy management - helping is reduce the carbon impact! 3. Foster Cross-Industry Collaboration: Governments, businesses, and research institutions need data-sharing initiatives, to reduce the overall impact and to drive sustainable AI practices.   So what do you think - AI & Sustainability - A Powerful Duo or a Double-Edged Sword? Would love to hear from you.   #Sustainability #ArtificialIntelligence #SustainableAI