Artificial intelligence set to improve energy management

ABB and Verdigris Technologies have developed machine-learning algorithms to predict unplanned peaks in power consumption, and identify strategies for prevention. To explain further, ABB is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to help factories and other industrial buildings improve their energy management and tackle rising tariffs for peak electricity. The company has added two AI-powered apps to the ABB Ability Electrical Distribution Control System (EDCS): Energy Forecasting and Intelligent Alerts.

The Energy Forecasting app enables users to reduce electricity bills by reducing peak demand charges, while the Intelligent Alerts app uses machine learning algorithms to help customers better manage their assets, identifying underlying issues before they become problems.

ABB Ability Energy Forecasting leverages the capabilities of AI to give facility managers accurate power consumption predictions. In short, Energy Forecasting enables management to take timely actions and reduce unplanned consumption spikes by rescheduling or switching off noncritical loads – and take full advantage of Time of Use (ToU) tariffs. The Energy Forecasting AI uses neural network methods to identify and learn patterns in a circuit or a factory’s energy consumption, while also considering weather data. Using weather forecasts and historical information, the Energy Forecasting app is then able to predict power consumption (kW) for the next 24 hours, updating its forecast every 15 minutes.

ABB Ability Intelligent Alerts uses machine learning to help customers better manage critical assets. The app learns how various factors affect the factory and key assets so that it can minimise the distraction of false alerts and information overload, allowing facility teams to focus their time more productively. Intelligent Alerts also identifies the relevant circuits and makes potential recommendations to ensure any response can be swift and decisive.

www.abb.com