With the UN declaring ‘crunch time’ for climate action, the need for globally sustainable energy policy has increased like never before. International carbon emissions soared to record highs last year, and current trajectories point to a sweltering 3.1°C rise in global temperature by century’s end.
Around the world, nations are confronting intensifying storms, heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts, all are climate events that threaten energy infrastructure and displace millions.
As almost three-quarters of global emissions (72%) originate from energy production of all types, decarbonizing the energy system is imperative.
Digitalization can help with technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud-based data analytics are vital enablers of agile, resilient, and low-carbon energy solutions.”
Predicting the future
By employing AI models trained on historical data, utility companies can more accurately predict energy demand, manage varying energy sources, and fine-tune their operations.
For instance, by analysing sensor information from wind turbines and solar panels, AI can predict generation patterns by the hour, day, or season
This allows grid operators to minimize reliance on fossil fuels and maximize the integration of renewable energy sources.
An example of this in action is the Sener Noor power station in Morocco, the largest thermosolar complex on earth. The station uses the software developed by the British company AVEVA to optimize the performance of over 3 million solar panels, covering 20% of Morocco’s energy needs.
AVEVA software enables industrial companies to monitor operations in real time, helping them spot inefficiencies and boost productivity. Engineers use AVEVA’s digital twin and simulation technologies to design, plan, and optimize large-scale projects before they’re built. Its cloud-based platforms also support collaboration across global teams, accelerating decision-making and enhancing sustainability efforts
As for Egypt, and according to the Nationally Determined Contributions to Climate Action, the power sector aims to achieve 42% renewable energy in the generation mix by 2030. AI-powered solutions can support the industry in reaching these ambitious emission reduction targets.
Power companies are also deploying technology to optimize the efficiency of PV cells, wind turbines, and energy storage systems. By programming AI models to adjust settings based on real-time data, businesses are able to build in resilience and schedule optimized maintenance repairs.
On the demand side, too, AI-powered energy management systems are enabling consumers and businesses to control of their energy usage. By analyzing consumption patterns and providing personalized recommendations, these applications promote energy efficiency and reduce costs.
The role of open source
The potential of providing energy networks with AI and Machine Learning solutions can be accelerated by open-source collaboration. Open technologies create a common language for data exchange, ensuring compatibility across diverse systems. This allows data from various sources—such as sensors, smart meters, weather stations, and maintenance logs—to be integrated and analyzed collectively.
In the past, the proprietary nature of energy systems stymied innovation, but modern open technologies facilitate the cross-sharing of data and ideas across companies, states, and even country borders.
This seamless data flow supports rapid experimentation and innovation, leading to faster progress in addressing critical challenges like renewables integration, grid optimization, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction.
Open-source frameworks enable organizations of all types—large and small, academic and commercial—to collaborate on software solutions tailored to local, regional, or global needs. This kind of integrated and collective intelligence is essential to reimagining how we produce, distribute, and consume energy.
The power of radical collaboration
As Egypt aims to reduce Greenhouse Gas(GHG) emissions by 10% as part of its 2030 Vision, radical collaboration will be critical to achieving these ambitious climate targets. A sustainable energy ecosystem can only be built on a bedrock of transparent, interoperable data that enables efficient decision-making and comprehensive carbon tracking.
Open technology standards unlock the synergy of human ingenuity and computational power, laying the foundation for a more agile, resilient, and efficient energy sector.
Through urgent action and the use of collaborative technologies, governments, businesses, and consumers alike can work together to safeguard our planet now and in the future.
By: Nayef Bou Chaaya
VP, Middle East & Africa at AVEVA
