AI Technology Begins to Help Address Power Grid Issues
Pressure on global power systems is assessed to be increasing with the rise in energy demand, ageing infrastructure, and equipment supply constraints. Amid these conditions, the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology is being promoted to assist operators in maintaining system reliability.
One company in the energy sector, Hitachi Energy, on Tuesday (7/4) introduced HMAX Energy, an AI-based digital solution package aimed at monitoring the condition of electrical assets and supporting predictive maintenance.
This launch reflects a shift in approach within the energy industry. Previously, the focus was directed towards building new infrastructure; now, industry players are paying greater attention to optimising older operating assets, even those that have exceeded their original design lifespan.
The technology works by processing operational data to detect damage patterns, predict potential disruptions, and provide recommendations for preventive actions. Its application is said to cover various equipment, from transformers and switchgear to substations and HVDC networks.
The company claims that this approach can reduce losses due to equipment failures by up to 60% in several case studies. Additionally, transformer failures and repair costs have also been reported to decrease. However, these results are said to depend on field implementation conditions.
Managing Director of BU Service at Hitachi Energy, Wolf Mueller, stated that ageing power grids are now facing greater pressures amid rising energy demand, increasing system complexity, supply chain constraints, and labour shortages.
According to him, these conditions are driving operators to shift to a more predictive approach to anticipate disruptions earlier and maintain reliable electricity supply.
In initial applications, similar technology has been used on the Baltic Cable underwater network through a digital twin system to monitor asset conditions in real time and accelerate responses to disruptions.
Meanwhile, renewable energy company ERG utilises digital monitoring to read equipment performance directly from the field. This approach is said to help reduce the need for manual inspections and speed up decision-making.
The use of AI and digital monitoring systems in the electricity sector is seen as part of the industry’s efforts to maintain electricity supply amid ongoing pressures on infrastructure.