THE ENERGY INTERVIEW

AI has become a pivotal tool in the energy transition, Frédéric explains.“ AI has incredible potential to optimise energy demand – helping balance variable renewable sources like solar and wind with fluctuating energy needs and prices. It ensures balance and drives down costs, setting the stage for a more efficient and sustainable energy future.”

This inherent variability of renewables( how much light, wind etc.) increases the complexity of matching energy supply and demand. AI’ s ability to analyse vast datasets and predict consumption patterns enables smart scheduling of energy usage.“ You don’ t need to charge your car all day; you can choose to charge it in periods when renewable energy is abundant,” Frédéric says.“ AI can optimise these timings to balance the load on grid infrastructure and use clean energy more effectively.”

Buildings alone are responsible for roughly 37 % of global carbon dioxide emissions, making energy efficiency in this sector a crucial lever for decarbonisation.

of energy-related CO₂ emissions come from just three sectors: Buildings, industry and transport

Electrification and digitalisation could enable 30-40 % efficiency gains in many buildings, Frédéric says.

“ 94 % of energy-related CO₂ emissions come from just three sectors: buildings, industry and transport. The techniques to optimise energy use with AI can be applied across all of these sectors.”

Legacy grid infrastructure also requires modernisation to handle increasingly electrified and digital energy demands. Frédéric says optimising demand will unlock more potential savings than grid reinforcement alone, but both are necessary.“ The grid needs to be more reliable and reinforced to support electrification. The widespread power outages in Spain and Portugal this year underscore the vital importance of a resilient electrical grid, highlighting how deeply society depends on it, and how disruptive its failure can be.”

How AI empowers people and systems Historically, managing electricity was the domain of engineers, involving complex calculations and technical maintenance. AI is radically simplifying this for end-users, facility managers and operators alike.

“ We’ re launching intuitive AI-based applications that help operators and homeowners scan their electrical panels, monitor energy usage and identify potential issues with minimal technical knowledge,” Frédéric explains.“ AI also simplifies maintenance, enabling data-driven decisions to postpone unnecessary site visits and reduce operational costs.”

energydigital. com 25