Oyeniyi Ajao Explores AI’s Potential to Address Energy Crises – Learnings for Developing Nations

By Tosin Clegg
Engr. Oyeniyi Richard Ajao, a distinguished expert in industrial engineering and strategy and project management for critical infrastructure, also a Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, highlights the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing energy systems globally. His publication, Optimizing Energy Infrastructure with AI Technology: A Literature Review, explores how AI can improve energy efficiency, grid reliability, and renewable energy integration, offering insights for nations like Nigeria to overcome their persistent energy crises.

Ajao emphasizes that AI technologies, such as predictive maintenance and demand forecasting, have already demonstrated remarkable benefits. For instance, AI-driven predictive maintenance has reduced unplanned downtime by 40%, while demand forecasting models have achieved up to 90% accuracy, helping to stabilize energy supply in countries like the U.S. and Denmark. Nigeria, grappling with frequent outages and inefficiencies, could adopt these practices to enhance its energy infrastructure.

Ajao also identifies critical challenges for AI adoption, particularly in developing nations. Limited data access, inadequate infrastructure, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and high costs pose significant barriers. However, these challenges also present opportunities. For Nigeria, fostering international collaborations could attract funding and technical expertise. Partnerships like Denmark’s public-private initiatives or the U.S.’s Grid Modernization Initiative offer models to emulate, showcasing how well-coordinated efforts can bridge resource gaps and spur innovation.

The article underscores strategies essential for integrating AI into energy systems. Developing smart grids equipped with AI algorithms, sensors, and IoT devices is a foundational step. These systems enable real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and efficient energy distribution. Additionally, robust regulatory frameworks, such as the EU’s Digital Strategy, can ensure secure and scalable AI integration. Public-private partnerships are pivotal, with examples from Germany and Japan demonstrating how collaboration accelerates technological adoption and enhances energy resilience.
For Nigeria, a focus on standardized data-sharing protocols and investment in AI research could unlock transformative potential. Creating platforms similar to the UK’s National Grid Data Explorer would improve data availability, while advancing cryptographic security measures like Elliptic Curve Cryptography could safeguard emerging systems against cyber threats.

By addressing its energy challenges with these proven strategies, Nigeria could leverage AI to boost efficiency, stabilize its grid, and foster sustainable development, setting a benchmark for other developing nations.