Zoltan Nagy writes in The Conversation about a new AI tool to lighten the load on the electric grid.
- A group of researchers at UT Austin has developed an AI system called Merlin that helps buildings shift their energy use to times when the electric grid is cleaner, without compromising people’s energy needs.
- Merlin automatically collects data on home energy use and identifies opportunities to charge and discharge home battery storage in a way that maintains normal energy consumption while reducing strain on the grid, especially during peak demand periods.
- The next step is to test Merlin and similar systems in more communities to gather user feedback and ensure the acceptability and affordability of these AI-enabled smart home energy management solutions.
“If demand outstrips the available generation, utilities typically ask customers to adjust their thermostats and otherwise reduce their loads. If that’s not sufficient, blackouts are possible. This is where Merlin comes in. By managing energy use in homes more intelligently, Merlin helps balance the energy supply, making electric grids more stable and reliable. Merlin manages the grid’s use of the home’s battery while maintaining the home’s normal consumption of energy.”
Read the full article here.
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