Heiko Claussen, Senior Vice President of AI at AspenTech, is leading the company’s industry 4.0 strategy, industrial AI research, and data science efforts. The perception of AI has long been divided between friendly robots like WALL-E and dystopian visions like Skynet from The Terminator. However, AI is already impacting the lives of millions globally, with companies increasingly exploring its use to achieve sustainability goals. AI systems can monitor emissions, increase energy efficiency, and optimize renewable energy integration, with its role in sustainability expected to expand in the future.
AI is expected to have a significant impact in five major areas: identifying opportunities, efficiency, flexibility, reliability, and optimization. In terms of identifying opportunities, AI can suggest sustainable options, interpret geological data for renewable energy generation, identify critical resources for mining, and propose new materials for better energy storage solutions. Efficiency is also crucial, with AI-driven hybrid models able to close the simulation-to-reality gap in industrial processes, leading to more accurate models and increased efficiencies across various processes.
Flexible AI-driven hybrid models allow for faster deployment of new sustainability applications, such as direct air carbon capture, by adapting and optimizing each model based on unique conditions. AI’s role in managing electrical grids, predicting renewable energy production, and balancing complex grids will be essential for reliability. AI-enabled asset performance management software can predict failures and reduce unplanned downtime, ultimately saving millions and reducing environmental impacts.
AI can also help simplify global challenges related to the energy transition by optimizing layouts for EV chargers in traditional gas stations and designing carbon capture facilities for maximum efficiency. Looking ahead, AI is poised to be a critical tool in creating a sustainable future, if properly applied and managed. While significant challenges remain in navigating the energy transition, responsible use of AI technology can help address these challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future for everyone.
