Generative AI solutions for utilities on the rise

Itron is introducing generative AI for utility customers while IBM highlights an AI governance toolkit.

Generative AI appears to be attracting as much interest in the energy sector as it is concerned.

New data from IBM, unveiled at DISTRIBUTECH International, indicate that almost three-quarters of energy and utility companies surveyed have implemented or are exploring using AI in their operations.

Moreover, in an earlier survey two-thirds of energy and resource CEOs felt they are more likely than their global peers to expect to realise value in the next three years from generative AI and automation.

However, an almost similar percentage expressed concerns about the sources of data used in generative AI.

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As the latest iteration of AI, generative AI is attracting much interest in the energy sector, as elsewhere, with tentative steps being taken as utilities investigate use cases where it can add value.

Itron integrates Microsoft Azure OpenAI

So far few energy solution providers have incorporated generative AI into their offerings and among the frontrunners is Itron, which ahead of DISTRIBUTECH 2024 announced what should prove a significant innovation for the sector with its integration of the Microsoft Azure OpenAI service.

Initially, the integration of the OpenAI service – which is based on the same model as ChatGPT – is with the Itron Enterprise Edition Meter Data Management system, distributed intelligence applications and Itron’s cloud-based DataHub platform, which is intended as the common access point for all data from the company’s portfolio.

This includes data created by Itron as well as that from third-party DI applications, such as load disaggregation, transformer connectivity and loading data.

With the OpenAI solution users should be enabled to get answers to questions, perform tasks, access data across the MDM and on the DataHub and for example use plain language queries to generate charts and reports as well as receive suggestions and feedback to improve data quality, accuracy and analysis.

“Through this collaboration [with Microsoft], we will enable utilities and cities to leverage the power of generative AI to boost efficiency, unlock creativity and enhance data management,” said Don Reeves, Senior Vice President of Outcomes at Itron.

IBM’s watsonx governance

While IBM’s watsonx generative AI and data platform for utilities and other enterprises was announced in May 2023, the latest addition to it is the governance toolkit that is designed to allow users to direct, manage and monitor their AI.

In particular, it is aimed to strengthen a company’s ability to detect and mitigate risks, manage changing regulatory requirements and address ethical concerns for both generative AI and machine learning models.

Casey Werth, IBM Global Energy Industry General Manager, says that as energy and utility CEOs manage their ongoing transformation efforts, they can also capitalise on the opportunities of generative AI and foundation models.

“In doing so they need to remember to focus on their own data, how it is gathered, accessed and used within their workflows along with the governance that should be baked into their tools and processes.”