Projects that are looking to use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to cut carbon emissions have been handed £1.73m in government funding.

Using AI to improve weather forecasting for solar energy and boost the energy efficiency of homes are among initiatives to receive funding.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has announced that eight projects will share the funding to scale up AI technology to support green energy in the UK.

The funding has been made available through the government’s Artificial Intelligence for Decarbonisation Innovation Programme.

It is focused on projects that, in transport and with land use for renewable generation.

Four AI projects have received funding to meet decarbonisation challenges around the generation, demand, transmission of electricity.

This includes a £268,378 award for the University of Nottingham to improve weather predictions for solar energy and to help manage renewables for the electricity grid.

Meanwhile, London based firm Carbon Laces Solutions has been handed £342,999 to develop “smart technology that ‘learns’ and adjusts how electricity is used at homes, to improve grid efficiency, and help users reduce their energy costs”, according to the government.

One AI project to receive funding is focused on decarbonising transportation. Flexible Power Systems in Kent has received £209,360 to use AI to optimise electric fleet operations and charging schedules. This aims to cut transport costs and emission.

Three projects have received funding to use AI to optimise and identify land use for generating renewables.

This includes £23,586 for EDF Energy R&D UK Centre to use AI to determine how to position wind turbines to reduce space needed for offshore wind farming, without reducing its energy output.

“The AI technology will look at wind flow interaction between wind turbines and assess where and how to position turbines in relation to each other,” said the government.

AI can help us achieve net zero - from better forecasting for solar ☀️ to helping people and businesses cut energy costs 💵

Today we've announced a further 8 groundbreaking projects that will receive funding to use AI in our green transition. More 👇 https://t.co/6uOSNVIcUx pic.twitter.com/AmQpI4p3Jw

— Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (@energygovuk) March 19, 2024

“AI is the defining technology of our generation, and the UK is harnessing its enormous potential to improve public services, ramp up productivity and tackle shared global challenges, particularly climate change,” said AI minister Viscount Camrose.

“This funding backs brilliant British innovation to drive forward new AI solutions which will help us reach our net zero ambitions.”

Affordability and Skills minister Amanda Solloway added: “These projects will use our world-leading research and scientific expertise to enhance our renewables sector and boost our energy efficiency through the use of AI in the transport, land use, and electricity space.

“Cutting edge innovation like this will help ensure our energy security for decades to come and create hundreds of jobs in the process.”

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