Transition-AI:
Past Events
Post Script presents: a gathering of experts to help chart a path forward with AI in the energy transition
Industry Partners
June 15, 2023
Transition-AI: Boston
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Breakfast and Welcome Address
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
A guide to AI, deep learning, and the energy transition
Stephen Lacey, Priya Donti
There are numerous compelling applications for AI in the energy system, from resource optimization to resilience. Some of these applications are being deployed today, while others require continued research and development. In this opening session, we’ll hear from Climate Change AI’s Priya Donti on how investors, startups, corporates, and governments can evaluate the usefulness of AI. We will identify specific use cases, constraints, and tools for action in implementing various forms of automation.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Analysis: The electricity system and AI - past, present, and future
David Groarke
Discover how AI is unlocking a series of transformative use cases across the electricity sector, from balancing grids and managing demand to optimizing operations. This session will explore the emerging solution landscape, market dynamics, and real-world applications that are driving the adoption of AI in the power sector.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Networking Break
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Panel: Will AI reshape utilities and the grid?
Elizabeth Cook, Jess Melanson, Titiaan Palazzi, David Groarke
AI is already having an impact on the operation of the grid, from forecasting to optimization to resilience. But there are more technological leaps to come. This panel features a deep discussion with utility executives and grid edge solutions providers on how artificial intelligence will speed up decarbonization, make the electricity system more resilient, transform utility business models, and shift the role of the customer. We will look at things happening today, and applications in the near future.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch and networking
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Hands-on ChatGPT - Use cases and brainstorming
Paul Baier
ChatGPT is a transformative product for a wide variety of creative business use cases. In this hands-on session, we'll look at some practical ways of using ChatGPT for energy companies, and brainstorm new applications and possibilities with the group. Could large language models help your company? Let’s explore how. Session leader: Paul Baier
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM
The promise and pitfalls of AI for the energy system
Stephen Lacey, Pamela Isom
The surge of interest in artificial intelligence is spawning new companies and use cases across the energy sector, from grid management to resilience to cybersecurity. But it’s also raising questions for startups and large energy companies about the speed of adoption, ethics, equity, and control. In this fireside chat, we’ll hear from Pamela Isom, former director of the office of AI and technology at the Department of Energy, about the possible outcomes for autonomous technologies to shape decarbonization. Guest: Pamela Isom, CEO of IsAdvice & Consulting, and former director of the Artificial Intelligence and Technology office at DOE Moderator: Stephen Lacey
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Networking Break
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Panel: The AI-powered use cases at the grid edge
Brea Dutt, Shishir Shekhar, Dana Guernsey, Sreedhar Sistu
Technological progress is accelerating at the grid edge – can artificial intelligence supercharge it? Panelists from across the grid edge landscape will discuss the roles AI will play in optimizing distributed resources, tying together virtual power plants, and creating new capabilities that will result in operational efficiencies for utilities and DER providers.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Unlocking 24/7 carbon-free energy with machine learning
Stephen Lacey, Savannah Goodman
For years, Google has been using machine learning to optimize data center energy use, and to better match renewable energy supply with demand. As Google raises the stakes and sources 100% of its electricity from carbon-free resources on an hourly basis, it is building more sophisticated ML tools for the job. In this fireside chat, Stephen Lacey will chat with Savannah Goodman, data and software climate solutions lead at Google, about the digital layer that is making Google’s ambitions possible. Guest: Savannah Goodman, Data and Software Climate Solutions Lead at Google.
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Innovation roundtable
Patrick Walsh, Allison Myers, Eddie Obropta
How is the rise of AI influencing emerging companies? And how do we sort through the hype from real value creation? In this panel, we’ll hear from investors and startups about how they're approaching the market today, and where the openings for innovation and disruption exist. Will the market be dominated by a new crop of AI-first startups, or by climate-first startups that are figuring out how best to use AI?