Artificial Intelligence – led by Monash Faculty of IT

Delivering clean, sustainable energy to mitigate climate change and enable the move to renewables is one of the world’s greatest challenges.

The problem

It’s predicted that embracing low-carbon resources can add $13 billion to GDP and save Australians $6 billion in power bills by 2040. But currently, the country is ill-equipped to absorb such a high penetration of clean power while maintaining a reliable system.

Digital technologies are reshaping the energy sector, making production and consumption more efficient and reliable. The wide adoption of these devices is also enabling greater connectivity between operations, businesses and customers – key players in the transition.

Leveraging recent advancements in AI, machine learning and analytics, we’re tapping into the power of data to accelerate digital adoption and herald the massive economic and environmental benefits of clean energy.

The goal

This project aims to produce effective models and tools, and provide actionable insights to transform energy. It consists of three parts:

1. Energy and demand forecasting – Variable generation and demand must be forecast to inform energy system operations, resource scheduling and demand side management. We will develop better tools to do this using AI which will improve accuracy and quantify uncertainties.
2. AI/optimisation for systems: Complexity, scale and inherent uncertainty pose challenges to energy production and system operation. We will develop AI and optimisation tools for smarter decision-making, leveraging mathematical frameworks and data-driven approaches.
3. Consumer energy management: We will create AI solutions that help consumers better understand their usage behaviour and manage their energy consumption scheduling.

This program will also train a cohort of graduates equipped to be next-generation leaders in this area. They will be capable of creating reliable new models, tools and solutions, as well as shaping industry’s knowledge of how AI can be used and adapted by everyday people.

Outcomes you’ll drive

As a PhD student in this program, you will help deliver:

• new technologies, systems, methods, knowledge and empirical insights while helping industry to adopt them – contributing to government manufacturing priorities
• AI-enabled concepts, tools and solutions driven by industry needs that can directly solve the challenges they face in transitioning to a sustainable, lower-carbon business.
• a more realistic understanding of how clean and sustainable energy supply and services can be embedded in people’s lives, houses, businesses and communities, to support the national long-term emissions reduction goal.

Your study experience

Part of a national cohort, your time as a graduate research student in this program will see you:

• being supported across all aspects of your project by leading academic and industry supervisors while getting exposure to multi-directional perspectives required for effective multidisciplinary research
• tackling real-world problems to work on through an industry placement in energy and technology, providing a direct pathway to impact for your research and equipping you to tackle future challenges in various sectors
• accessing initiatives such as expert seminars, reading groups, student-led grassroots events, industry networking and more, to enhance the cohort experience and complement your nine-week AI training from CSIRO’s Data61
• developing effective strategic communication skills through presentations, industry-focused report writing and opportunities to publish your research in high-quality academic conferences and journals
• tapping into the extensive expertise of the investigator network, sitting across AI fundamentals, energy technology, consumer research and application domains.

What you will receive