AI to help deliver uninterrupted electricity to every household: Union MoS Shripad Naik

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help prevent power supply disruptions by identifying problems in the electricity network and predicting transformer failures before they occur, Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help prevent power supply disruptions by identifying problems in the electricity network and predicting transformer failures before they occur, Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said. Speaking to media at a power sector event focused on AI, Naik said the technology could help identify shortcomings in the power system, allowing authorities to take preventive measures and improve the continuity of electricity supply.

“AI can identify problems and predict transformer failures before they occur. This can help prevent losses and reduce the time taken to recover after an incident,” Naik said. He said the use of AI in the power sector could help ensure a more reliable electricity supply and reduce disruptions caused by failures in power infrastructure.

Naik said the technology could help authorities identify potential faults in advance rather than responding only after a failure has occurred. Early identification of such problems could help prevent losses and ensure that electricity supply is restored more quickly when an incident occurs. “Our objective is to ensure that electricity reaches every household without any disruption. AI will provide us with an opportunity to achieve this,” he said.

The minister said discussions at the event focused on the use of AI in the power sector, with participation and support from companies and other stakeholders. He expressed confidence that the technology could help address existing shortcomings in the sector and support the goal of providing clean and affordable electricity to every household.

Naik also highlighted the importance of ensuring that electricity generated from renewable sources is available when required. He said solar and wind power generation varies, making energy storage important for supplying electricity during periods when these sources are not generating power. The government is considering ways to facilitate battery storage, including subsidies and other measures, he said.

India has reached 308 GW of renewable energy capacity, Naik said. The minister also highlighted the importance of battery storage in ensuring the availability of renewable electricity during peak demand hours.

He said work on power storage was underway, particularly battery storage, as solar and wind energy do not generate electricity at night. “The ministry is considering ways to facilitate battery storage, including subsidies and other measures,” Naik said.

He added that the focus was on ensuring electricity generated from renewable sources reaches consumers at the right time and is used effectively. While demand is generally met during the day, battery storage can help make renewable electricity available when demand peaks. Naik said India had achieved a target of 250 GW set five years ago and expressed confidence that the country would meet its targets by 2030. (ANI)