The European Commission has announced a roadmap to boost the use of artificial intelligence in the energy sector, amid efforts to modernize the electricity grid and cope with rising levels of renewable energy production.

The roadmap aims to enhance electricity grid operations through AI technologies capable of performing forecasting, grid management, and system monitoring. According to the statement released by the Commission, the program will facilitate the work of grid operators in the increasingly complex environment with high levels of renewable energy production, electrification, and electricity consumption.

Europe's electricity grids face ever-greater challenges due to the expansion of wind and solar energy production and the move away from coal, oil, and natural gas. Electric cars and heat pumps only serve to further complicate the situation.

Under the roadmap, AI could be used to analyze large datasets generated by electricity networks, forecast power demand, predict equipment failures and support operational decisions. The Commission said these applications could improve grid efficiency and help operators respond more quickly to changes in supply and demand.

The strategy also calls for greater cooperation between energy companies, technology developers, regulators and research institutions. Measures include promoting data access, developing technical standards and supporting pilot projects to test AI applications in real-world energy systems.

The roadmap is part of wider efforts by the European Union to upgrade ageing electricity infrastructure. European officials have previously identified grid expansion and modernization as necessary for meeting climate and energy objectives while maintaining energy security.

The Commission said any deployment of AI in critical energy infrastructure must comply with existing European rules on cybersecurity, data protection and safety. Oversight measures will be required to ensure that digital systems operate reliably and transparently.

Digital solutions have gained significant attention from interested parties in the energy sector concerning the management of power networks operating with an increasing percentage of renewable sources of energy. Supply and demand balancing has been made difficult by the increased penetration of renewables in the region.

The Commission noted that implementing the roadmap would require cooperation between member countries, regulatory agencies, and various energy players. This program was designed to improve the efficiency and resilience of the electricity network, along with overcoming difficulties linked to changes in Europe's energy landscape.