From Sudokus to Smart Grids: The Mathematical Trick that A.I. Will Use to Redefine Mexico's Energy Landscape

Let's imagine for a moment that we have the mission of watering a majestic tree. Surely you are already visualizing the steps, right? We connect the hose to the water source, turn on the faucet, direct the jet and? voilà, the tree enjoys its refreshing bath. It seems simple, manageable, even controllable.

Now, let's change the picture. Recall the example from the previous article and imagine that our goal is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to all our muscles and organs so that they can perform their functions optimally whenever they need it. Clearly, we would require an automatic distribution system. The picture starts to get complicated, doesn't it? If the system is not properly designed, we could find ourselves with undernourished organs and  muscles  in some areas and overfed in others. Add to this scenario the complexity of having hundreds of nutrient sources, thousands of arteries, veins and capillaries and millions of cells. Does that sound crazy? That is precisely the magnitude of the challenge represented by a typical electrical grid every second, such as the one operating in our beloved Mexico.

Our National Electric System is a gigantic network with countless power plants, transmission and distribution lines and substations. If we add to this the fact that the demand for energy varies second by second, one might think that we are facing an impossible situation. But not so, thanks to the genius of a Russian-American scientist: Charles Proteus Steimetz, or Karl Augustus Steinmetz in his time in Russia.

Steinmetz left us an invaluable legacy, among which is a precious gift for our case: the phasor. This mathematical tool allows us to simplify alternating current calculations, transforming them into a set of three simple matrices: power, admittance and displacement. Any self-respecting scientific calculator can solve it. So, by using this tool, we go from indecipherable chaos to a Sudoku that, with a little skill, anyone could solve. This simplification allows us to model and manage our electrical networks in near real time.

​​All this brings us to the future of energy: Smart Grids. A Smart Grid automatically makes decisions to ensure grid stability, continuity of supply, power quality and minimization of losses. Just as your brain directs all the functions of your body, a Smart Grid seeks: balance, adaptability, efficiency. And this is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes an indispensable element for these new Smart Grids.

At our Center for Research and Innovation in Applied Power Technology (CIITAP), we are committed to the development of smart power electronics technology using A.I. We recognize that innovation and research are the keys to unlocking the doors to a more sustainable and efficient energy future.

AI could transform the future of Smart Grids and, by extension, Mexico's energy future, in several ways:

• Power Distribution Optimization: AI algorithms could be used to optimize power distribution, considering factors such as real-time demand, production capacity, and grid efficiency. This could improve grid efficiency, reducing losses and saving costs.
• Demand Forecasting and Management: AI could be used to predict energy demand based on historical patterns and current trends. This would allow power grids to adjust their output more effectively, minimizing peaks and troughs and ensuring a more stable supply.
• Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms can detect anomalies in operating patterns that may indicate an impending problem. This could enable preventive maintenance that avoids costly failures and disruptions.
• Renewable Energy Integration: AI can help integrate renewable energy sources into the grid more efficiently, considering factors such as the variability of solar and wind power production. This could improve the grid's ability to utilize these energy sources and move towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy matrix.

These are just a few examples of how Artificial Intelligence could transform the future of Smart Grids and Mexico's energy future. At CIITAP, we are excited about the possibilities and committed to doing our part to make this future a reality.

We invite you to join us in this exciting adventure. If you want to learn more about our work at CIITAP, follow this link 👉 [CIITAP: Center for Research and Innovation in Applied Power Technology] and discover how together we can ignite the sparks of the energy future. We look forward to seeing you!

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