Driving energy intelligence, Smart Grid

implementation of cleverly organised microgrids, hybrid power plants, and energy parks has the potential to significantly aid in the process of decarbonisation.

Recently, the company launched its microgrid at the Siemens Corporate Technology North American Headquarters, which serves not only as the primary energy source, but also as the foundation for pioneering research that investigates the multifaceted aspects of energy, such as sustainable development and resilience. Princeton Siemens’ microgrid demonstrates how innovative technology can be leveraged to achieve ambitious decarbonisation goals and generate substantial energy cost savings.

Notably, the microgrid serves as a tangible blueprint for an adaptable and efficient microgrid system that can be replicated in other locations worldwide, making it a vital tool in the ongoing effort to decarbonise the energy sector.

Speaking about the development, Head of Research Group, Autonomous Systems & Control at Siemens Xiaofan Wu said:

“It is Siemens’ belief that we not only hold ourselves accountable in the fight against climate change, but work with our customers to implement our technologies and solutions to help them along their own sustainability journey.

“Our Princeton, NJ campus – Siemens’ North American R&D hub – is home to the Siemens Princeton Island Grid, a microgrid system that is showcasing the combination of renewable energy solutions such as solar arrays with building management and energy management solutions. The result is an innovative, resilient, and cost-effective microgrid system that serves as a live testbed for Siemens’ customers and partners. The Princeton microgrid is a lighthouse project that acts as a blueprint for our customers across industries, as well as Siemens’ own facilities.

“We strive to develop and industrialise technologies with purpose – and we do this in collaboration with our global ecosystem of research partners.”

Wu believes that microgrid systems are one of the many solutions states will need to integrate into the overall energy mix, if they hope to reach the US’s decarbonisation targets.

“Microgrids not only allow for carbon-reducing energy sources to be operated intelligently, but will also provide reliable and resilient sources of power when aced with extreme climate events and increased electrification efforts. More efficient systems and renewable resources translate into fewer carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere.

“By combining field-tested energy management technologies across building, energy generation sources, and energy storage systems, Siemens is showcasing how these technologies can work together, and providing microgrid operators with a holistic view that will minimise energy spend while maximising comfort and security,” he concludes.

Ensuring grid resilience

Grid resilience is an important factor for an evolving grid – continued investment in this space and the push towards grid modernisation will mitigate operational costs and save companies millions, if not billions.

The possibility of power outages caused by severe weather is amplified by other hazards that the grid faces, such as cyber assaults and worldwide pandemics. As a result, ensuring the resiliency of the grid has become a crucial subject.

ABB’s Global Digital Lead, Sherif El-Meshad, believes that the electrical grid is the backbone of modern society, stating: “We experience the importance of having a stable electricity supply every day, considering the current geopolitical conflicts, and, more recently, with concerns about energy security and supply following the war in Ukraine.

“We are also realising that the transition to clean energy makes us more vulnerable to instability. The implementation of technology to make the grid more resilient is now high on the agenda for utilities. This process can be further automated, and we are developing technology that will take the time and effort out of monitoring and scheduling usage, without compromising the quality of supply.”

In what ways can the energy industry utilise machine learning capabilities to address the urgent challenges of today?

WRITTEN BY: MARIAM AHMAD

y this point, it’s a safe assumption that most people are at least somewhat aware of terms such as net zero and energy transition; endless conversations surrounding ’zero carbon 2030’ are seemingly pervasive in our climate change vernacular and corporate conversations.

As businesses look to scale processes, enabling them to be more cost-efficient and sustainable, the deployment of AI can prove invaluable. The convergence of AI and energy means that on the convoluted path towards achieving net zero, businesses are able to better manage operations. The integration of machine learning not only enhances productivity and releases resources for the transition towards sustainable energy, but it can also directly contribute to reducing the environmental impact through the ramping of renewables and integrating cloud computing, alongside improving the traceability of supply chains and increasing transparency in governance.

Every cloud has a sustainable lining

For all the denunciations that the oil-andgas industry receives, it nevertheless remains vital within the climate change discussion – and to energy security at large. Research from the International Data Corporation has found that the adoption of cloud computing in large-scale data centres has the potential to decrease carbon dioxide emissions by at least one billion metric tonnes or more.