Learn about DOE actions to assess the potential energy opportunities and challenges of AI, accelerate deployment of clean energy, manage the growing energy demand of AI, and advance innovation in AI tools, models, software, and hardware.
Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies
April 29, 2024
minute read time
Opportunities for a Modern Grid and Clean Energy Economy
Foreword
Realizing an equitable clean energy economy by 2050 while strengthening the Nation’s resilience to the effects of climate change will require a substantial increase in the rate of modernization and decarbonization of the electric grid of the United States. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly enhance how we manage the grid, which is one of the most complex, yet highly reliable, machines on earth.
In accordance with Executive Order 14110 on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, DOE developed a report that identifies near-term opportunities for AI to aid in four key areas of grid management: planning, permitting, operations and reliability, and resilience.
Beyond the grid, AI can also support a range of applications to help achieve our climate goals. Reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the economy requires addressing unique challenges across many sectors that have major impacts on energy and the grid – including transportation, buildings, industry, and agriculture.
Widespread deployment of AI requires thoughtful consideration of societal impact as well as any threats that could arise from misuse of AI systems or malicious applications of AI. It is crucial that these new AI use cases do not introduce risks to the grid or individuals. DOE remains committed to the safe, secure, and responsible deployment of AI in all areas of its mission.
Key opportunities identified in the report include AI-accelerated power grid models for capacity and transmission studies, large language models to assist compliance and review with federal permitting, advanced AI to forecast renewable energy production for grid operators, smart grid applications of AI to enhance resilience, and optimization of planning for electric vehicle charging networks.
In preparing this report, DOE participated in multiple listening sessions hosted by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy with a variety of stakeholders. A Request for Information (RFI) was also issued to solicit input on how AI can ensure a secure and resilient power grid; improve planning, permitting, and investment in the grid; and mitigate climate risks.
DOE’s national laboratories have issued a complementary report, Advanced Research Directions on AI for Energy, which examines long-term grand challenges in nuclear energy, power grid, carbon management, energy storage, and energy materials.