AI – A growing trend in energy

AI is changing the face of all sectors, with power generation being no exception.

This trend was certainly reflected in the growing number of stories crossing the PEi newsdesk and we have selected five that got our attention in 2024.

1 – AI-designed wind turbine unveiled for urban areas

AI design specialists EvoPhase and precision metal fabricators Kwik Fab Ltd have unveiled what they are calling the world’s first urban wind turbine designed by AI.

It’s called the Birmingham Blade and, as its name suggests, has been tailored for the specific wind conditions in Birmingham. The blades are curved and spin around a central point, which make it optimal for Birmingham’s wind speeds of 3.6m/s.

2 – Pacific Gas & Electric deploys nuclear sector on-site genAI solution

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has launched the deployment of an on-site generative AI solution for data retrieval at its Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.

PG&E is deploying Atomic Canyon’s Neutron Enterprise generative AI solution, which is built and run on NVIDIA’s full-stack AI platform. Its deployment at Diablo Canyon is aimed to transform document search and retrieval, and thereby deliver significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency.

3 – How AI is ‘bending the curve’ on energy transition innovation

Collaboration and speeding up development are key for advancing AI in the energy sector, panellists in a session at Enlit Europe in Milan agreed.

The panel, moderated by Stavros Stamatoukos, Policy Officer for Digitalisation and AI in the EU’s DG Energy, addressed three questions: How is AI being used in the energy sector? What is coming next? and, How to make it happen faster? Panlists also discussed how AI and large and small language models are “bending the curve on innovation”.

4 – ‘I am a translator between worlds’ says Mr Fix-It of innovation and AI

Robin Lück, Innovation Manager at Siemens Energy, once brought digitalisation to construction sites and is now introducing ChatGPT and Copilot into the company’s office workflows.

Born and raised in an environment that put an emphasis on repairing and preserving, Robin learned early on not to throw away anything he could reuse. This cycle of invention, preservation, and tinkering became a personal code – one that continues to drive him as an engineer.

5 – DOE selects GE Vernova to develop AI assistant for hydrogen safety

GE Vernova has been selected by the US Department Energy’s (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office to lead a project aiming to enable permitting and safety for hydrogen deployment through an AI assistant.

The project’s objective is to identify the primary challenges to siting, permitting and installation across the value chain from hydrogen production through end-use.

The AI Assistant will be used for safe hydrogen (H2) handling and permitting and trainings focused on the safety for hydrogen development.