Using AI to Conserve Energy & Reduce Energy Spend

In this article we will be providing an overview of how AI can be used for improving energy efficiency, lowering its consumption and reducing the costs associated. The main focus for this article is how current energy consumption can be optimised and made more efficient for various industries.

Optimising Energy Consumption

The lack of better energy management is one of the causes leading to energy concerns and an increase in global climate change. A research paper published by Elshan Moradkhani at ResearchGate demonstrates the concerns of energy mismanagement as well as the need for better strategies and alternative energy sources. AI has proven to be a useful tool in lowering energy utility bills by optimising energy consumption. In one such case study, Google gave over control to a machine learning (AI) algorithm which optimised energy usage in one of Google’s data centres, more information can be found here. 

To begin with, AI first begins identifying and learning how the energy is consumed within a building, or in Google’s scenario a data centre. This is through sensors placed in areas where power is consumed, from electrical equipment to lighting and heating/cooling utilities. The sensors also help to collect temperature data as well data on power consumed. It is trained on analysing various scenarios which can occur in the building to help it effectively adjust power consumption. It also makes use of forecasts and trends of past power consumption data during previous periods. Furthermore, once it has learned enough, it can then identify and provide areas for optimisation. 

The AI is able to then track and stabilize electrical output and input for various equipment and utilities across a building. Additionally, it can also help detect anomalies which can aid in finding and fixing faults before they occur all in real time. A publication on Artificial Intelligence in the Power Sector by the IFC shows how AI can be used to overcome many challenges in the worldwide energy sector and how many industries can benefit from its integration.

Case Study - Google Data Centres 

Through DeepMind, a UK based AI research and development company, Google implemented a Machine Learning algorithm (AI) which was able to make recommendations to the data centres management team in order to lower power consumption. This led to energy savings of up to 40% for the cooling systems alone, which this AI had been integrated to optimise. A graph which can be found using this link, shows the Power Usage Effectiveness of the cooling systems (and the savings) of when the AI first began to be in use as well as when it was turned off. Overall, this experiment led to a reduction of power consumption by 15%. In 2018 Google effectively handed over control to the AI to manage several of its data centres cooling systems. More information can be found on this by the BBC and MIT Technology Review.

We hope this article has provided a good overview of the potential use of AI to help manage power consumption and its potential benefits for optimising energy consumption. Additionally, how it could lead businesses to save plenty of money in energy bills. If you are looking for research & development services, or have an idea you would like to discuss, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Please leave a comment on this article if you find the information helpful along with your feedback as it can help us to improve future articles.

Follow us on our company page for more updates from Trion Technologies: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/trion-tech/ and if you have any questions please feel free to reach out on LinkedIn or Email.