Google deploys artificial intelligence to boost wind energy value

The AI division of Google, known as DeepMind, claims its technology will boost the value of energy generated by onshore wind farms by 20%. Google purchases 2.6GW of renewable energy a year, close to 100% of its operational needs, and has agreements with 20 different wind and solar projects which could benefit from similar DeepMind analysis. Using a neural network (computer system inspired by the structure of biological networks) that was trained using weather forecasts and historical turbine data, DeepMind engineers configured their AI to predict power output of wind turbines 36 hours ahead of time. The benefits from using the AI in the management of the windfarm are threefold; better prediction of production, better prediction of power demands, and operational cost savings. DeepMind has been experimenting by applying its AI-led analysis to onshore turbines in the United States, on projects such as the Great Western Wind project in Oklahoma.