Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a focal point of innovation and debate, with its transformative potential making waves across industries. While discussions often center on the ethical and societal boundaries of AI adoption, one aspect remains clear: its unparalleled capacity for complex calculations and predictive analytics is unlocking possibilities once deemed unattainable.
At Plexigrid, our dedicated R&D team works tirelessly to explore uncharted possibilities, pushing the boundaries of AI to solve challenges that once seemed insurmountable. Every day, we strive to unlock new capabilities, advancing toward a future where technology enables smarter, more sustainable energy systems.
Integrating AI into our technology allows us to achieve unprecedented visibility and insights into low-voltage (LV) networks. This not only enhances our understanding of grid behavior but also streamlines data processing tasks that were traditionally cumbersome and error prone.
For instance, AI plays a critical role in automatically correcting topology and connectivity data, simplifying the process of cleaning and integrating information into the Plexigrid platform. This ensures greater accuracy and efficiency, empowering grid operators to make informed decisions with confidence.
Another cornerstone of our AI-driven approach is load forecasting. By training machine learning models on a blend of calendar, load, weather, and even electricity price data, we can predict energy demand with remarkable precision. This capability is already making a tangible impact in projects like the Gotland grid tariffs initiative, where forecasting spot energy prices 24 hours in advance is reshaping how electricity is consumed.
How AI is Shaping Gotland’s Grid Tariffs
AI is revolutionizing the way we approach energy management, and its integration into dynamic grid tariffs is a prime example of its transformative potential. By leveraging predictive models for energy and price forecasts, AI enables the development of advanced tariff systems that address critical challenges like peak load management, power quality maintenance, and efficient grid usage. This innovative approach is central to the Gotland pilot project, where Plexigrid is at the forefront of driving change.
At the heart of this initiative is Plexigrid’s advanced load forecasting model, which integrates key inputs such as weather conditions and day-ahead energy prices. This model generates precise predictions of consumption and generation for the following day. These forecasts then feed into a correlation function that calculates a dynamic grid tariff every 15 minutes. The resulting tariff is designed to mitigate predicted imbalances by encouraging more balanced energy consumption.
What sets this system apart is its adaptability. Customer responses to the price signals are continuously analyzed and reintegrated into the forecasting model, creating a feedback loop that improves accuracy over time. This iterative process ensures the tariffs remain effective, responsive, and aligned with real-world behaviors.
The benefits of dynamic grid tariffs extend far beyond technical innovation. For consumers, these tariffs offer immediate advantages, such as cost savings for those who adjust their usage based on price signals. Over time, the reduced strain on the grid lowers costs for all users by eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades and network oversizing. This contributes to a more sustainable and resilient energy system.
The Gotland project also highlights the use of composite price signals—a combination of spot market prices and variable energy fees. This dynamic pricing strategy encourages smarter energy use, supports the adoption of renewable energy, and promotes local grid balancing. Importantly, the project evaluates how these new pricing models influence customer behavior compared to traditional spot prices, offering valuable insights into the potential for broader adoption.
In the long run, dynamic tariffs address key systemic challenges, such as rising grid costs, electricity quality issues, and delays in connecting new electrification projects. By optimizing real grid usage through precise measurement, these tariffs reduce energy losses, enhance reliability, and improve operational efficiency. The ultimate result is a fairer and more equitable energy system where lower grid costs benefit all consumers—not just those actively managing their consumption.
This forward-thinking solution is more than just an innovation for today; it is a blueprint for the future of energy management, creating a smarter, more adaptable, and more sustainable electricity grid.
AI’s Expanding Horizons in Energy and the Future
The integration of AI into energy management is creating new opportunities to build smarter, more efficient, and sustainable grids. As the race to meet global sustainability targets intensifies, adopting advanced technologies like AI is essential. To ensure economic growth while minimizing emissions, maintaining energy security, and delivering high-quality service across the network, we must fully embrace these innovations. AI offers the ability to address these challenges effectively and within the urgent timelines we face.
At Plexigrid, we are committed to exploring the full potential of AI, combining advanced algorithms with deep electrical modeling to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s energy systems.
By leveraging AI-driven tools like dynamic grid tariffs and predictive forecasting, we can optimize energy usage, reduce costs, and improve reliability—benefiting everyone from active consumers to the entire network. This blend of technology and expertise allows us not only to solve today’s problems but also to shape a future where the energy grid is more adaptable, balanced, and resilient.
The journey is far from over, and the potential of AI is still in its early stages. But with each step forward, we move closer to achieving what once seemed impossible—a smarter, more sustainable energy future for all.
