Exploring AI's Potential For Improved Service and Reliability

By Abby Berry

Like it or not, artificial intelligence seems inescapable. Even a quick Google search produces an AI-generated smorgasbord of results, rather than a simple list of links. AI is even shaping conversations about the future of energy.

While news headlines often focus on the rapid growth of AI, electric cooperatives are taking a measured approach to understanding how these tools might help improve service for the local communities they serve.

For Southeastern Indiana REMC, our goal is not to adopt AI technology simply because it’s new. Instead, any tool or innovation must provide a clear benefit to our members, whether that’s improving power reliability, increasing operational efficiency or helping our team make better-informed decisions. As we explore AI tools, we are doing so cautiously, evaluating where it can add value while maintaining a strong focus on member needs, privacy and system reliability.

One area where AI shows promise is electricity load forecasting. Electric demand changes throughout the day and fluctuates significantly during periods of extreme weather. Advanced forecasting tools can analyze historical data, weather patterns and additional factors to help predict when electricity use is likely to increase. Better forecasts allow us to prepare for higher demand, manage resources more effectively and support reliable service during peak periods.

AI tools are also being used to identify potential problems along the local grid before they lead to power outages. By analyzing information from automated meters and other equipment across the electric system, AI-powered tools can detect unusual patterns or anomalies that might otherwise go unnoticed. These early warnings could help our crews investigate issues sooner, potentially reducing the likelihood or duration of outages.

Maintaining power lines is another critical area where AI technology may offer benefits. Trees and overgrown vegetation are one of the leading causes of power outages. Many electric utilities, including co-ops, are exploring image recognition tools that can help monitor vegetation growth near power lines more efficiently. Rather than replacing the expertise of our field crews, these tools can help identify parts of the system that need attention, allowing crews to prioritize work areas and make the best use of their time.

Beyond the electric system itself, AI could also improve day-to-day operations. For example, AI tools can assist office employees by summarizing lengthy reports, organizing member feedback and analyzing large amounts of data. These types of tools could help our team spend less time on repetitive administrative tasks and more time focusing on members and addressing our community’s energy needs.

Even with these potential benefits, we recognize that AI is not a cure-all. Human oversight remains essential, and decisions that affect our members will never rely solely on automated systems.

As AI tools evolve, Southeastern Indiana REMC will continue exploring their potential. But as with any new technology, adoption will be guided by a simple principle: if an AI tool helps improve reliability, efficiency or services for our members, it’s worth considering. If it doesn’t, we will continue exploring solutions that do.

Abby Berry writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.