The AES Corporation has announced that it is working with X (formerly Google X) to develop tools that enable additional clean energy resources to come onto the grid at a faster pace while improving grid reliability, optimising operations and reducing costs.
The companies are using the tools to simulate and virtualise distribution grids in Indiana and Ohio. The near real-time grid virtualisation technologies will improve the customer experience by testing new ideas, optimising the grid for renewables, improving reliability and building new efficiencies into the system.
“One of the biggest obstacles to shifting to a renewable and reliable electric system is having a complete real-time picture of what is happening on the electric grid,” Audrey Zibelman, vice president and general manager of the electric grid team for X, said. “We are developing new computational and virtualisation tools designed to give everyone who manages and operates the grid the ability to plan, build, and manage a clean and resilient grid.”
“We believe the future of energy is clean, reliable, affordable and accessible to all. By combining X’s technical expertise with our industry experience and insights, we’re accelerating that future,” Kristina Lund, president of US utilities at AES, said. “We are proud to be among the first to embrace these grid virtualisation tools from X in our smart grid strategy. Our goal is to build a modern and green to benefit all.”
This work complements the 10-year strategic alliance that the company formed with Google in 2019 to leverage Google Cloud technology to accelerate innovation in energy distribution and management and to supply 24/7 carbon-free energy for Google data centres in Virginia.
