As artificial intelligence transforms from a curiosity to an "unavoidable fact" of the electric grid, utilities are racing to harness its potential while navigating unprecedented challenges. With AI-driven data centers expected to double their energy consumption by 2026, forward-thinking utilities are already deploying innovative solutions – from AI-powered drone inspections for wildfire prevention to sophisticated load forecasting systems. At GridFWD 2024, industry leaders shared groundbreaking use cases and critical lessons learned, revealing both the immense opportunities and complex challenges of integrating AI into our energy future.
Following the event, our E&U experts worked with Grid Forward to write an article that covers the trends that came out of the sessions, including:
- Current AI use cases in utilities
- Impact of AI on grid energy consumption
- Five essential lessons for utilities implementing AI
- Regulatory perspectives on AI integration
Authors
Tom Brim
Brett Lyon