The PwC study “Artificial Intelligence in the Energy Industry” shows how companies are implementing AI solutions to increase grid stability, automate processes, and boost efficiency. These developments are playing a key role, particularly in Switzerland, with its decentralized energy production and increasing demands on a stable power grid.

The study is based on a comprehensive market analysis and identifies over 60 AI solutions along the entire energy value chain. These include applications in the following areas:

• Grid management: Real-time optimization of grid stability through predictive load control.
• Generation & storage: AI-supported forecasts for the optimal use of renewable energies.
• Trading & sales: Algorithmic trading models and dynamic tariff models to increase efficiency.
• Customer service: Automated chatbots and smart assistance systems to improve the customer experience.

According to the study, 53% of energy suppliers are already using AI technologies, although many have only done so for a short time. The biggest challenge remains integrating these solutions into existing infrastructures and processes.

From theory to practice: How the VGT platform makes AI usable in the energy industry

The PwC study impressively demonstrates that AI-based technologies make a decisive contribution to optimizing the energy industry. But how can these findings be integrated into the Swiss energy market in concrete terms? This is exactly where the VGT platform comes in. It enables the automated control and optimization of energy flows by intelligently networking various types of flexibility. The VGT device manager is the central tool for connecting energy producers, storage facilities, and consumers in real time.

Application of flexibilities with the VGT platform Balancing energy

Balancing energy compensates for short-term imbalances between generation and consumption:

• Primary control energy (FCR): Provision within seconds.
• Secondary control energy (aFRR): Automatic adjustment within minutes.
• Tertiary control energy (mFRR): Manual activation for grid stabilization.

With the VGT device manager, controllable consumers, storage systems, and generation plants can be efficiently integrated into the control energy market.

Balance group optimization

Balance group managers use flexibility to minimize forecast errors:

• Reduction of balancing energy costs through storage and load management.
• AI-supported forecast models for optimized trading strategies.

Reactive power compensation

Reactive power can impair grid stability. Our solution enables:

• Provision of reactive power through storage and PV inverters.
• Integration into industrial plants for grid stabilization.

Arbitrage transactions & demand response

• Arbitrage: Optimization of energy trading through targeted storage and feed-in strategies.
• Demand response: Automated load shifting to reduce grid load and save costs.

The PwC study clearly shows that AI technologies are essential for the future of the energy industry. In Switzerland in particular, AI offers enormous potential for improving efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability. The VGT platform addresses precisely this issue and enables the economical and sustainable use of energy through automated control of generation, consumption, and storage.

Source: https://www.pwc.de/de/energiewirtschaft/kuenstliche-intelligenz-in-der-energiewirtschaft.html