Why Energy & Utility companies are relying too much on Artificial Intelligence, Drones, and Cyber Security technologies?
The energy and utility industry is hit by a wave of technology and we should now enhance the opportunities offered by the onset of big data and smart systems. The establishment of smart systems using built-in digital intelligence is revolutionizing the way energy is produced, distributed, managed, and stored. Smart solutions and modern technologies like AI, ML, IoT, Cyber Security, etc. are compelling efficiency and have resulted in the creation of a prosumer model wherein customers generate and use the energy.
The future of energy and utility will significantly depend on digital intelligence and the implementation of data analytics, which will serve to generate a more efficient use of resources. Smart sensing technology communicated and reacts with the environment, optimizing performance, and enhance efficiency. Here are some of the technology which is currently transforming the energy & utility businesses and driving the opportunities for innovations.
1. Artificial intelligence in the Energy Sector:
Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the various industry is not an easy and quick process. While careful considerations are to be made around the challenges and hurdles that befall the advanced technology. Industries like energy & utility are still both traditional and hesitant to leverage all that it has to offer.
With the help of machine learning and deep learning, artificial intelligence can predict specific outcomes at a very highly effective and efficient rate than humans. By implementing predictive analytics, the energy & utility industry will have the opportunity to reduce costs, save power, be ready for the changes, and increase the overall customer experience.
Artificial intelligence is also capable of identifying and forecasting maintenance issues that need attention. System overloads, faulty transmission, and failing transformer can cause serious damage to the environment if not maintained properly. Using AI, the energy sector can forecast any faults, damages, or potential hazards, which may be caused by poorly managed infrastructure, deterioration, and damaged or worn facility.
2. Drones in the Energy Industry:
Energy companies in some countries like the USA, UK, etc. have shown interest in leveraging drone technology. Utility enterprises have wasted no time getting on board since the Federal Aviation Administration allowed drones for commercial use in 2015. As drones continue to interlace into energy & utility business’ transmission and distribution processes, this hints at a bright future for the technology in the industry.
Same with solar energy, wind energy is also dependent on complex infrastructure to be as powerful as possible to get the best result. Drones are changing inspections on wind farms across the world. Wind turbines are left exposed to the elements as they operate. Even the smallest damage can result in inefficiencies and wasted energy. The conventional inspection method requires rope teams to have a closer look at each blade. This process is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and not without risks to those involved.
However, drones can minimize the time engineers have to spend in risky positions by offering quick and remote coverage of turbines. This technology is also cost-effective than a manned crew. It means wind farms can execute wind turbine drone inspections with higher regularity for keeping operations running at 100%.
3. Cyber Security in the Energy Sector:
In the last 10 years, energy & utility has experienced a massive digital transformation and will continue in the future as well. The incorporation of intelligent technologies like artificial intelligence for managing systems is allowing new business models and more efficient asset management. But with digitalization comes new challenges as well. Cyber-attacks have the potential to impact all the operations and processes within a power plant especially with the increased use of connected industrial devices or automated controls.
Today, cyber-attacks are on the rise, and the energy & utility industry is an easy target for criminals. The sector’s infrastructures have transformed into highly distributed systems, which need proactive protection. In order to combat the increasing cyber threats, energy businesses are vigorously designing strategies to defeat their security inadequacy and increase the security of their digital assets.
Conclusion
Energy & utility enterprises should digitalize to cater to current customer expectations for taking the business forward. Digital solutions help companies comply with challenges fast, no matter the industry. As the world rises from the current COVID-19 pandemic, well-planned enterprises will lead the economic recovery with clean energy and storage projects. KCS’s connected intelligent solutions for energy and utility businesses offer powerful capabilities. Our solutions connect data, processes, systems, and people to provide predictive analysis, artificial intelligence, and data visualizations for every aspect of asset management, distribution, predicting, customer information, supply chain, and production.
