Transition-AI: Boston

Breakfast and Welcome Address

A guide to AI, deep learning, and the energy transition

There are numerous compelling applications for AI in the energy system, from resource optimization to resilience. Some of these applications are being deployed today, while others require continued research and development. In this opening session, we’ll hear from Climate Change AI’s Priya Donti on how investors, startups, corporates, and governments can evaluate the usefulness of AI. We will identify specific use cases, constraints, and tools for action in implementing various forms of automation.

• Stephen Lacey
• Priya Donti

Analysis: The electricity system and AI – past, present, and future

Discover how AI is unlocking a series of transformative use cases across the electricity sector, from balancing grids and managing demand to optimizing operations. This session will explore the emerging solution landscape, market dynamics, and real-world applications that are driving the adoption of AI in the power sector.

• David Groarke

Networking Break

Panel: Will AI reshape utilities and the grid?

AI is already having an impact on the operation of the grid, from forecasting to optimization to resilience. But there are more technological leaps to come. This panel features a deep discussion with utility executives and grid edge solutions providers on how artificial intelligence will speed up decarbonization, make the electricity system more resilient, transform utility business models, and shift the role of the customer. We will look at things happening today, and applications in the near future.

• Elizabeth Cook
• Jess Melanson
• Titiaan Palazzi
• David Groarke

Unlocking 24/7 carbon-free energy with machine learning

For years, Google has been using machine learning to optimize data center energy use, and to better match renewable energy supply with demand. As Google raises the stakes and sources 100% of its electricity from carbon-free resources on an hourly basis, it is building more sophisticated ML tools for the job. In this fireside chat, Stephen Lacey will chat with Savannah Goodman, data and software climate solutions lead at Google, about the digital layer that is making Google’s ambitions possible. Guest: Savannah Goodman, Data and Software Climate Solutions Lead at Google.

• Stephen Lacey
• Savannah Goodman

Lunch and networking

Hands-on ChatGPT – Use cases and brainstorming

ChatGPT is a transformative product for a wide variety of creative business use cases. In this hands-on session, we’ll look at some practical ways of using ChatGPT for energy companies, and brainstorm new applications and possibilities with the group. Could large language models help your company? Let’s explore how. Session leader: Paul Baier

• Paul Baier

The promise and pitfalls of AI for the energy system

The surge of interest in artificial intelligence is spawning new companies and use cases across the energy sector, from grid management to resilience to cybersecurity. But it’s also raising questions for startups and large energy companies about the speed of adoption, ethics, equity, and control. In this fireside chat, we’ll hear from Pamela Isom, former director of the office of AI and technology at the Department of Energy, about the possible outcomes for autonomous technologies to shape decarbonization. Guest: Pamela Isom, CEO of IsAdvice & Consulting, and former director of the Artificial Intelligence and Technology office at DOE Moderator: Stephen Lacey

• Stephen Lacey
• Pamela Isom

Networking Break

Panel: The AI-powered use cases at the grid edge

Technological progress is accelerating at the grid edge – can artificial intelligence supercharge it? Panelists from across the grid edge landscape will discuss the roles AI will play in optimizing distributed resources, tying together virtual power plants, and creating new capabilities that will result in operational efficiencies for utilities and DER providers.

• Brea Dutt
• Shishir Shekhar
• Sreedhar Sistu

Innovation roundtable

How is the rise of AI influencing emerging companies? And how do we sort through the hype from real value creation? In this panel, we’ll hear from investors and startups about how they’re approaching the market today, and where the openings for innovation and disruption exist. Will the market be dominated by a new crop of AI-first startups, or by climate-first startups that are figuring out how best to use AI?

• Patrick Walsh
• Allison Myers
• Eddie Obropta

Reception

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