AWS Summit NYC: AI & Data Leverage for a Greener Future

As our data becomes increasingly larger in volume and more universal, how can we effectively use it for good? At the 2023 AWS Summit in New York City, Kubrick consultants Evan Kravitz and Ayush Manandhar had the opportunity to hear from international data leaders seeking solutions on how data can improve the world. While recent concerns in the news warn us about data privacy issues and the rise of generative AI, a standout session at the conference focused on the role that data plays in climate change and environmental pressures.??

In this session, three startups that are at the forefront of leveraging data to address climate issues were highlighted. Through the use of artificial intelligence to transform our weather predictions, cloud infrastructure to create both eco- and wallet-friendly energy, and data to streamline our energy grid, a wealth of data can be applied for everyone's benefit now, and for a better future.?

Artificial Intelligence Meets Disaster Preparation?

We’ve all heard the saying, ‘when it rains, it pours.’ But with more accurate precipitation and wind readings, a large amount of the damage caused by severe weather could potentially be avoided. At the conference, Climavision CEO Chris Goode described how their low atmosphere, drone-based radar system can allow for outdoor-based events to be better scheduled, for disaster preparation to be more efficient, and for sustainable energy resources to be predictive instead of reactive. It is shocking how little of the U.S. employs radar detection below 6,000ft, and remarkable how much information and predictive power we stand to gain through this new technology. Goode remarked on how their radar system relies on the scalable use of cloud and computing services via AWS, as they capture roughly 1.5 billion global observational datasets every day. This robust level of AI predictive modeling needs to be fast, intuitive, and easily queried - and scaling with cloud services allows Climavision to only use necessary resources, while still keeping track of petabytes of data. The result could forever change how we predict and prepare for weather-related events.?

Eco-Friendly and Wallet-Friendly Home Energy?

Climate pledges and ESG initiatives sound well and good, but real decisions often boil down to dollars and cents. “No one is going to make more eco-friendly choices,” BlocPower CEO Donnel Baird relayed, “unless they are also money-friendly choices, and especially not institutions.” On a large scale, data systems such as BlocPower’s aim to make energy data plans cheaper, easier, and more visible for municipal leaders. This would translate to both individual homes and entire cities turning greener and more cost-efficient; partnering with over 25 municipalities, BlocPower has already used their proprietary software to model over 75 million properties. By relying on the scalability of cloud infrastructure, a wealth of house plans and energy data can be combined to design electrification programs that unlock the potential for decarbonizing older buildings, upskilling necessary workers, and achieving essential environmental justice goals.?

Mapping-Out Clean Energy??

Many organizations that struggle with siloed data, and eventually integrate data systems across divisions, have unlocked numerous benefits as a result. Arcadia looked at this streamlining process and wondered, “What if we can apply this to the energy grid?” Through leveraging data streams from disparate utility companies, Arcadia CTO Anil Beniwal described how they were able to build a comprehensive map of energy production and usage, effectively modernizing our energy usage system. This mapping allows for a more efficient allocation of resources and unlocks an additional layer of decision support for future projects. Additionally, Arcadia’s cloud utilization creates access to green energy for community members and business owners through community solar, matching local people to green energy resources in their area. With this technology, organizations can better model energy cost forecasts and optimize towards carbon and ESG goals. And as electric vehicles and renewable energy become more common, these systems also provide crucial support for decisions on where to place generation and storage infrastructure.??

Closing Thoughts: Collaborating for Change?

The threat of climate change has been an essential issue of our time, and data resources must be leveraged to help fight it. The key data strategies of universality, data sharing, and comprehensive prediction are being used right now to address climate issues in a more robust and cost-effective manner. If we take these resources, plus the scalability of the cloud and well-enforced data management, we can have a positive impact on our future. The AWS Summit leaders ended on an interesting note: how unfortunate it is that there is sparse competition amongst companies focusing on renewable energy and the mission of climate change. The international data leaders hope that, in the future, there will be healthy business competition amongst organizations to accelerate revolutionary innovation in these particular areas. But more importantly, in the present moment, collaboration amongst companies is far more crucial than competition and profits, due to the urgency of the climate crisis.?

At Kubrick, we help organizations to evolve with next-generation technology with the skills that deliver change and impact. Our unique approach to training talent from a wide range of backgrounds allows us to build a workforce equipped with today’s most sought-after skills at the intersection of data, AI, and cloud. As a Partner of AWS, Kubrick are supporting organizations across industries to leverage their data to tackle today’s biggest challenges, including ESG.?

To learn more about how Kubrick can support your team to create impactful solutions, get in touch: [email protected]?