Saving the Earth is a priority. How to do it? By combining environmental sustainability and artificial intelligence (AI). But how do these two concepts relate to each other? How can artificial intelligence really contribute to promoting ecosustainability?
Soon, we will see some examples of how artificial intelligence can be used to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, monitor and protect biodiversity, manage waste and foster the development of renewable energy.
In addition, we will find out how IPPO Engineering, one of the best consulting companies specialising in innovative environmental solutions, can help you realise your ecosustainability projects with the help of artificial intelligence.
Read!
Table of contents
Artificial intelligence and energy efficiency
Ecosustainability is the ability to satisfy current needs without compromising those of future generations, ensuring respect for the environment and natural resources.
Artificial intelligence is the science of creating computer systems capable of performing tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as object recognition, natural language understanding, problem solving and learning.
Energy efficiency is the ability to reduce energy consumption to achieve the same or a better result. Artificial intelligence can help optimise energy use in various sectors, such as industry, construction, transport and agriculture. For example, artificial intelligence can:
- analyse data from sensors, meters, smart devices and other sources to monitor consumption, detect waste, predict demand and suggest the most cost-effective actions;
- automatically adjust settings for temperature, lighting, ventilation and other parameters according to environmental conditions, user preferences and savings targets;
- integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, with electricity grids, managing the variability of supply and demand, to facilitate better energy storage and distribution;
- optimise production processes, reducing consumption of raw materials such as water and energy;
- increase product quality and productivity;
- improve sustainable mobility by designing more efficient and safer vehicles:
- planning optimal routes;
- coordinating traffic flows;
- incentivising low-impact modes of transport.
Artificial intelligence for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for global warming and its negative effects on climate, health and the ecosystem. Artificial intelligence can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in several ways:
- measuring and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions from different sources, such as power plants, industries, vehicles, homes and agricultural activities with sensors, satellites, drones and other instruments;
- calculating and communicating the ecological footprint of products and services;
- anticipating and managing risks and opportunities arising from extreme weather phenomena, temperature variations, sea-level rise and altered ecosystems.
Artificial intelligence, biotechnology and biodiversity
One of the fields in which AI has made enormous progress is biotechnology. AI can help predict and model molecular interactions, accelerating the research and development of new biotechnology products. This can lead to more efficient and sustainable solutions for food production, electricity and waste management.
Biodiversity, likewise, is essential for the functioning of natural cycles, the provision of ecosystem services, food security and human well-being. However, biodiversity is threatened by factors such as habitat destruction, pollution, climate change and overexploitation of resources. Artificial intelligence can help monitor and protect biodiversity in many ways:
- collecting and analysing biodiversity data from different sources, such as field observations, satellite images, acoustic recordings, genetic databases and citizen science platforms;
- identifying and classifying species and their interactions using bioinformatics, computer vision and machine learning techniques;
- assessing the conservation status of species and ecosystems through biodiversity indicators, such as populations, distributions, trends and threats;
- developing and implementing biodiversity conservation strategies that simulate future scenarios and resource allocation and involve local communities, raising awareness.
Artificial intelligence for waste management
Waste can have negative impacts on the environment and health if it is not managed properly. Artificial intelligence can then help to manage waste:
- reducing its production;
- promoting the circular economy, responsible consumption, prevention, reuse and recycling of materials;
- reducing waste and losses along the production and distribution chain;
- improving waste separation;
- using intelligent waste identification, separation, classification and weighing systems;
- providing information and feedback to users and operators;
- optimising the transport and disposal of waste by means of planning and routing algorithms, sensors and tracking devices, autonomous and low-emission self-driving vehicles, and operation monitoring and control systems;
- valorising waste, i.e. turning it into resources, such as energy, raw materials, compost, biogas and other products;
- using mechanical, biological, thermal and chemical treatment processes that integrate with electrical and thermal networks.
Artificial intelligence and renewable energy
Renewable energies are those energy sources that do not run out and have a low environmental impact, such as the sun, wind, water, the Earth’s heat and biomass.
Renewable energies are crucial for the ecological transition to a more sustainable and secure model. AI can predict energy production from sources such as wind and sun, based on meteorological data. This would reduce waste and increase efficiency.
Other methods are:
- design and install renewable energy production plants, using simulation models, optimisation and evaluation of sites, costs and benefits;
- operate and maintain renewable energy installations, using monitoring, diagnostic, forecasting and control systems, in order to ensure the safety, reliability, quality and continuity of energy supply;
- innovate and experiment with new renewable energy sources, such as hydrogen, sea and geothermal;
- use artificial intelligence techniques for research, development and testing of new materials, processes and devices.
Artificial intelligence and hydrogen production
Regarding the question “how is hydrogen produced”, AI can provide innovative answers and improve its production processes. More precisely, it can predict and optimise the chemical reactions involved in the production of this gas.
AI can, therefore:
- predict hydrogen supply and demand, using data analysis models and machine learning;
- adapt production according to market needs and environmental conditions;
- optimise the electrolysis process, using control and regulation algorithms, to maximise the yield and quality of the hydrogen produced, so as to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions;
- developing and testing new hydrogen production technologies using simulation, optimisation and evaluation techniques to explore new sources, new materials and new processes, such as E-TAC1 or hydrogen production from organic waste.
How IPPO Engineering can help you develop a sustainability project with artificial intelligence
From what we have just seen, the combination of ecosustainability and artificial intelligence is a winning one for protecting and preserving our planet.
IPPO Engineering, a company specialised in innovative solutions for the environment, offers consultancy services for the design, implementation and management of systems for ecosustainability, using artificial intelligence as a tool for support and innovation.
If you want IPPO Engineering to help you realise ecosustainability projects with artificial intelligence, contact us now. We will offer you a free, personalised consultation and show you our success stories and testimonials.
Don’t miss this opportunity, IPPO Engineering is your ideal partner for eco-sustainability and artificial intelligence. Contact us now by calling +390954683879 or filling in the contact form below.