1. AI has the potential to significantly improve key areas of grid management, including planning, operations, reliability, and resilience.
2. It is crucial that new AI use cases are rigorously validated, scalable, and adhere to power grid governance standards to avoid introducing new risks to the grid.
3. AI can also support a range of applications beyond the grid to help advance an equitable clean energy economy, such as optimizing EV charging networks, enabling virtual power plants, and improving manufacturing efficiency.
AI has the potential to greatly improve grid management, as highlighted in a new report from the US Department of Energy. The report focuses on opportunities for AI in grid planning, permitting, operations, and reliability, as well as in advancing the transition to a clean energy economy. It is essential that new AI use cases for the grid are validated rigorously, scalable in performance, and adhere to power grid governance standards.
Priority use cases for AI in grid management include accelerating power grid modeling, using large language models for federal permitting compliance, forecasting renewable energy production, and enhancing grid resilience with smart grid applications. AI can also support applications beyond the grid, such as planning for EV charging networks, virtual power plants, and optimizing industrial processes.
While AI offers great opportunities for energy applications, there are also potential risks that need careful consideration. The DOE is working to address potential risks such as unintentional failures, adversarial attacks, and hostile AI applications. Initiatives like the ‘VoltAIc’ project aim to streamline permitting processes using AI, while new working groups are focusing on powering AI and data center infrastructure.
AI has the potential to transform industries and improve societal well-being, but it must be deployed thoughtfully to mitigate risks and ensure equitable access and impact. US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasizes the importance of AI in combating climate change and advancing a clean energy future.