Renewable Energy Innovation Tackles Weather-Related Reliability

• AI for Overburdened Energy Networks: Dublin-based initiative Respondent is working to improve the efficacy of Europe’s renewable power infrastructure. Using AI-based predictive weather models and satellite data, Respondent estimates how much solar and wind energy will be generated in a specific area on a given day and whether it will meet consumer demand. This data is given to utility providers, which can use the insights to stabilise the demand and supply. It improves the reliability of renewables (and thus the likelihood of wider adoption). As of 2024, the initiative served Spain, Greece and Ireland.
  
  

• Sky-High Space Energy Aspirations: Some companies aim to collect solar energy in space, beaming it back to earth by using electromagnetic radiation (microwaves or radio waves). Space-based solar power can be generated 24 hours per day, and it isn’t weather dependent. It can be beamed to any location on earth, making it a potentially equitable energy source.
  
  UK-based firm Space Solar plans to launch its first solar-energy-collecting satellite into the earth’s orbit in 2029, which could be able to power about 26,000 homes in Iceland year-round, Space Solar told Stylus. Meanwhile, in the US, space engineering company Virtus Solis has partnered with AI company Artificial Genius to accelerate the manufacture of the former’s space-based solar energy system, which aims to supply consumers worldwide by beaming renewable power to locations across the globe. See also Tech Leads the Race to Net Zero in CogX 2023.

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