AI for Net Zero Electricity

Enabling more variable renewable energy generation will be critical to delivering a low-cost transition to net zero, and diversifying in this way will require every electricity asset to be fully optimised to be competitive in the market. AI is well suited to optimisation and ensuring system flexibility. It offers the promise of radically improved forecasting of generation and demand, the optimisation of asset management and electricity trading, and efficient grid balancing through to optimised dispatch markets. It can also support increasing demands on electricity systems - from heat pumps, EVs, battery storage, distributed generation - and more efficient operation and maintenance of demand response assets. AI is already enabling progress across a wide range of use-cases in the electricity system, and its importance will only grow as more applications emerge. However, a major roadblock is that many electricity companies are not yet ready to apply AI in their operations. This booklet seeks to inform companies operating in the electricity sector on how they can prepare their organisations to apply AI to accelerate a low cost net zero transition. To support companies in assessing their current level of AI readiness and to map out areas for further investment, we provide an AI for Electricity Readiness Self-Assessment tool. This highlights five key themes that electricity companies can advance to become AI ready: AI opportunity identification, human capacity, data for AI, digital infrastructure and responsible AI governance.