AI for Alaska’s remote energy systems

New INE research is putting AI to work for Alaska’s remote energy systems as part of a national effort to transform energy and scientific discovery through artificial intelligence.

Through the UAF Institute of Northern Engineering’s Natural and Energy Resources Engineering Center, Dr. Richard Wies is leading AURORA-AI — Alaska Utility Resilience and Optimization using Real-time AI. AURORA-AI is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission, a national effort to harness AI to accelerate advances in energy, science and national security.

Wies recently spoke with Alaska’s News Source about how the project will use real-world utility data, advanced power-system modeling and AI to help Alaska’s rural and coastal communities forecast demand, reduce diesel use and operate more reliable and resilient microgrids.

Working with Cordova Electric Cooperative, Colorado State University and the National Laboratory of the Rockies, AURORA-AI is taking on a distinctly Alaska engineering challenge with potential far beyond the state: developing technology for isolated energy systems that could ultimately benefit remote communities around the world.

Watch the interview to learn more about AURORA-AI.

Image top: UAF professor Richard Wies is holding a Genesis Mission plaque. Wies is leading AURORA-AI which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s program.