9.29.21 - NYSEG working with UAlbany to predict outages using ‘artificial intelligence’
'NYSEG and its parent company, Avangrid, along with its sister utility, RG&E, short for Rochester Gas & Electric, are working with researchers at the University at Albany and the University of Connecticut on developing the AI system.'
'Also participating in the project is the New York State Mesonet, a network of 126 weather stations across the state that are run by UAlbany and were developed conjunction with the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.'
'UAlbany hosts the National Weather Service's local office and the school also teaches atmospheric sciences and is home to top weather researchers at the university's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, or ASRC.'
'"Over the last two decades, New York has experienced increasingly extreme weather that poses a risk for extended power outages and significant economic losses,” Chris Thorncroft, director of UAlbany’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center said. “Our scientists at ASRC are focused on creating smart solutions for weather risk management decisions."'
'The new AI outage prediction system received $600,000 in funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, a semi-autonomous state agency that funds renewable energy and so-called smart grid technologies that help the state's electrical grid run more efficiently and more resiliently.'