Back to the previous page
Smart energy District IA Days
Tuesday 04 February 2025 07:00

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly crucial role in transforming the energy sector. During a workshop organized by the HES-SO Smart Energy District flagship project team at AI Days 2025 in Geneva, five experts shared their visions and discussed the challenges of integrating AI into this rapidly evolving field.

A Technological Revolution in the Energy Sector

Nabil Abdennadher, Full Professor HEPIA, highlighted that the energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation. Amid market liberalization, new forms of production and consumption, and technological advancements such as edge computing, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things, AI is becoming an essential tool. He predicts the emergence of new AI-powered digital energy services that will revolutionize resource management and optimization.

Predictions and Flexibility through Machine Learning

Mokhtar Bozorg, associate professor at HEIG-VD, emphasized the contribution of machine learning to energy forecasting. These technologies now make it possible to accurately predict the energy consumption of both residential and industrial users. Additionally, AI enables the assessment of buildings' energy flexibility, facilitating better integration of renewable energy sources and more efficient grid management.

Energy Efficiency and Digital Sustainability

Rafael Tiedra, from OCSIN in the Canton of Geneva, stressed the importance of digital sustainability when selecting technologies. In Geneva, pilot projects have been launched in collaboration with the Cantonal Energy Office to optimize building energy consumption. However, Olivier Crettenand from INERA remains skeptical about the feasibility of local electricity communities, arguing that costs for consumers remain too high. Instead, he advocates for the development of virtual private consumer groups (VPCGs), which offer a higher return on investment.

Challenges of Data Quality

Finally, Max Carrel from DYNEO pointed out that data quality is one of the main obstacles to the adoption of AI in energy system management. Incomplete or poor-quality data can reduce the efficiency of algorithms and undermine the reliability of decision-making. To address this issue, data management and correction tools are being implemented both upstream and downstream in energy systems to ensure optimal performance.

Conclusion

AI presents exciting opportunities for the energy sector, but its successful adoption requires careful planning and strategic approaches. Between technological innovation, energy efficiency, and data management, many challenges remain. However, with the right solutions and a clear vision, AI could be the key to a smarter and more sustainable energy future.

About the Smart Energy District Project

Smart Energy District is a pilot project led by HES-SO, aimed at developing a smart energy district. It serves as a research and experimentation platform dedicated to the creation of sustainable and scalable energy solutions. This initiative is a collaboration between four universities: