The first wave of digital grid infrastructure in the U.S. didn’t quite deliver on its promises. More than 100 million smart meters have rolled out across the country, buoyed initially by billions in federal funding. But instead of using them for exciting things like time-of-use pricing and automated demand response, utilities used them for more mundane things like automated billing, according to a whitepaper from Guidehouse. 

Could the new wave of AI-based grid tech be different?

In this episode, Shayle talks to David Groarke, managing director at the energy consultancy Indigo Advisory Group, who co-authored a forthcoming Latitude Intelligence report on utilities and AI.

David says that AI is showing promise so far. Unlike the first wave of hardware-focused advanced-metering infrastructure, AI leans heavily on relatively cheap software and data. He also says that AI’s capabilities are advancing quickly (“doing pressups” as the Irish say) by improving algorithms, handling more tasks, and improving efficiency. 

David and Shayle cover use-cases and other topics like:

• Wildfire management, using data from cameras, lidar, and satellites
• Customer propensity modeling, including detecting EVs to aid with infrastructure planning
• Automated and personalized communication with customers
• Predictive maintenance of substations and other grid infrastructure, using data from, for example, computer vision to detect corrosion and reduce downtime
• Optimizing transmission capacity by moving from static ratings of transmission lines to real-time ratings
• Whether incumbents or startups are leading the development of these AI-based solutions
• David’s take on whether AI’s impact on utilities will be revolutionary or incremental

Recommended Resources:

Latitude: Welcome to the smart meter’s second act

Latitude: AI is simplifying complex decisions for utilities

Latitude: Seven ways utilities are exploring AI for the grid

Latitude: Could AI-fueled weather forecasts boost renewable energy production?

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