SDG-7

SDG-7 Affordable and clean energy

Main
SDG-7

Targets of this Goal

By 2030, it is necessary to achieve the following targets:

Guarantee global access to affordable, liable and modern energy services
ASignificantly increase the share of renewable energy
Duplicate the global rate of improvement of energy efficiency
Increase international cooperation and promote investment in energy infrastructure
Expand infrastructure and improve technology to provide modern and sustainable energy services in developing countries, particularly the least developed

We can currently advance towards the attainment of this goal:

How does technology contribute to this SDG? See what we propose and tell us what you think

Lessons Learnt

We have analyzed the literature and extracted the following ideas on how technologies are favouring this SDG.
See also what we propose and tell us what you think

L.1

Artificial Intelligence is already playing a key role in the digitization and “smartness” of energy systems for more efficient and sustainable consumption. Smart grids are proof of this

L.2

This digitization will lead to an explosion of data and communications

L.3

The energy consumption associated with the creation of new data centers can increase from 1% to 6%

L.4

There is an increased potential for cybercrime. However, AI and technologies such as blockchain can help mitigate this risk.

Recommendations

The proposed actions on which we introduce an opinion poll for this SDG, are described below:

Poll for SDG-7

The analyses of interrelationships between emerging technologies & AI, and the possibilities they offer to pursue the SDGs, led us to propose a series of actions and/or potential projects to develop.
Among these recommendations, which one is more important in your opinion?

Give my opinion

R7.1 - Data compression and distributed computing technologies to reduce energy consumption in data storage and processing centers ( data centers )

We propose the development of adaptive compression mechanisms based on data science such as clustering or regression that can be implemented in smart meters to drastically reduce the flow of data within the network. Additionally, the use of distributed computing techniques such as edge computing in the context of IoT for smart grids allows a significant part of the processing to be performed in the data generation environment. These measures, among others, would avoid overloading the communication infrastructure and unnecessary data storage in data centers , thereby reducing associated energy consumption.

R7.2 - High-fidelity models for long-term prediction of renewable energy resources (wind, solar irradiation, etc.)

The energy and economic efficiency of renewable energy is highly dependent on the availability and intensity (highly variable) of the renewable agent itself. The development of new high-fidelity and long-range predictive algorithms that take climate change into account will be of great importance for the optimal design and predictive management of these plants. This will result in greater energy efficiency and a greater penetration of renewable energy in the grid, and therefore a greater global expansion of renewable energy.

R7.3 - blockchain technology for the secure management of smart electrical grids

Smart grids give rise not only to an explosion of data, but also to multiple transactions between the different (millions) agents of the network, mainly consumers and generators. This flow of data and transactions needs to be: (1) protected against cybercrime; and (2) be traceable and auditable. The use of blockchain technology could help to effectively solve these requirements. There are different proposals in the recent literature, but more research in this area of application would be necessary.

R7.4 - Intelligent and robotic systems to reduce the inspection and maintenance costs of energy facilities

The aging and malfunction of renewable assets (wind turbines, solar concentrators, etc.) give rise to failures that require stopping the production of a part of the plant while the required corrective maintenance is carried out. The application of artificial intelligence techniques such as digital twins assisted by monitoring technologies based on IoT and 5G will allow: (1) to know the health status of the installation in real time; and (2) predict the remaining life time until the next expected failure, allowing anticipation of the operation and maintenance needs and, therefore, optimizing the future efficiency of the plant.

R7.5 - Blockchain to control traceability and better monitoring of financial flows for investment in clean and renewable energy in developing countries

Artificial intelligence and digital technologies could play a relevant role in: (1) improving the traceability of investments; (2) share good practices among donors and private investors that meet international standards; and (3) have an immutable and auditable database on these investments. Technologies such as blockchain could be applied to manage these transactions in a traceable, secure and reliable way, as well as to maintain a secure and immutable database.

Other recommendations: