OnDemand Panel discussion: Harnessing the power of AI for smarter utilities

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Date Recorded: Wednesday 15 January 2025

 

Length: 60 minutes + Q&A

 

The utilities sector is at a critical juncture; climate change, rapid urbanisation, ageing infrastructure, and the increasing demand for sustainable resource management are pushing water and energy providers to their limits. Public authorities and utilities firms must find innovative ways to deliver reliable services while addressing efficiency, resilience, and environmental impact. At an increasing pace, artificial intelligence is emerging as a potentially game-changing solution, offering tools and insights that can help tackle these complex challenges head-on.

 

In this panel discussion, hosted in partnership with Sand Technologies, we bring together an expert group to explore the potential for AI to transform the utilities sector, with a special focus on water and energy. As public authorities and utilities providers face increasing challenges – from climate change to growing urban populations – AI can bring innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and reliability.

 

This panel brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and AI experts to discuss:

• Optimising operations: how AI-powered tools are improving energy grid management and water distribution systems, reducing waste, and enhancing resource efficiency
• Predictive maintenance: the role of AI in forecasting system failures before they occur, minimising downtime, and cutting operational costs
• Sustainability and resilience: AI’s potential to accelerate climate action by enabling smarter energy consumption and water conservation
• Data-driven decisions: leveraging AI to interpret vast data sets, improving real-time decision-making and long-term planning
• Future innovations: exploring emerging possibilities that AI can bring to shape the future of utilities management.

Watch OnDemand to gain actionable insights into the latest technological possibilities, real-world success stories, and strategies for integrating AI into utilities management. Whether you’re a public official seeking to modernise infrastructure, or a utilities professional aiming to stay ahead of the curve, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge to drive impactful change in your organisation.

 

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Speakers

		Kurt Miller CEO and Executive Director, NWPPA (Northwest Public Power Association) Kurt Miller is an experienced organisational leader, communicator, and change champion with over 30 years experience in Northwest energy and utility space.
		Chris Vetromile Manager, Wildfire Mitigation, Austin Energy   Chris Vetromile, a Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with 20 years of experience, is the Wildfire Mitigation Manager at Austin Energy. He has been in the role since July of 2023, when the position was created. Austin Energy Wildfire Mitigation aims to reduce the risk of electrical equipment igniting wildfires by hardening the grid and advanced fuels reduction management.   Before moving to Austin Energy, Chris was a Senior Wildfire Mitigation Specialist at the Austin Fire Department’s Wildfire Division and the Fire-Adapted Communities (FAC) program manager. He worked closely with Austin neighborhoods for four years to reduce wildfire risks.
		Sanjay Neogi Managing Director of Water Utilities, Sand Technologies   Sanjay is an accomplished business leader with three decades of experience in the energy and utilities sector. His unique blend of industry, consulting and IT experience has helped him build a reputation as a digital transformation leader across the UK, US, Europe, Asia, India, Australia and the Middle East. He has worked extensively with the UK’s utilities and energy market for the past 20 years. Sanjay’s career has included senior leadership roles in TCS and Capgemini, as well as a Country Head role for Enzen, a boutique energy and utilities-focused organization.
		Luke Antoniou Senior Editor, SmartCitiesWorld   Luke has been reporting on the implementation of smart technologies that benefit citizens and the public sector since 2017.   He has a particularly keen interest in smart and sustainable mobility and its role in influencing the decisions of urban planners, citizens and governments alike.   As rapid urbanisation continues, he keeps his finger on the pulse of the myriad urban challenges facing local and central governments, making new connections in the public and private sectors and finding new angles from which to cover the latest smart city developments around the world.

 

You may also be interested in...

 

We’ve produced an accompanying Trend Report for this session on AI in Utilities Management for Cities. In this report we explore how utilities worldwide are reaping the benefits of artificial intelligence, including improved efficiency, enhanced customer service, and significant cost savings.

 

Learn from insightful case studies on -

• Thames Water (London): applying AI to improve sewer management
• Kozani (Greece): building a water digital twin
• Singapore: real-time monitoring and data collection

Download now to gain valuable insights around how AI can transform utilities operations and drive future success.

 

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