2 weeks Ago By Adam Zuvanich, Tom Perumean
CenterPoint Energy is partnering with two technology companies — Neara, a predictive modeling software developer, and Osmose, an infrastructure data firm — to use artificial intelligence to help identify problems in its Houston-area power distribution system and prioritize repairs. Neara’s Robert Brook said the collaboration will result in cost savings and more dependability for the 2.8 million CenterPoint customers in the Houston area.
But a local energy expert expressed skepticism, describing this week’s announcement by Osmose as “window dressing” and saying the arrangement amounts to putting “lipstick on a pig.” CenterPoint has faced fierce criticism for its storm preparedness and handling last year of a May windstorm and July hurricane , the latter of which resulted in power outages for more than 2.2 million customers in the region.
Prolonged outages during the middle of the summer contributed to many of the 40-plus deaths associated with the hurricane. “They're coming in after the fact,” said Ed Hirs, an energy fellow at the University of Houston. “They know what they need to do.
They need to spend money on maintenance. That's something they haven't done. It's something they haven't done with the blessing of the state.
” RELATED: CenterPoint Energy rate case settlement will decrease bills for Houston-area customers A CenterPoint spokesperson said the utility “ remains committed to leveraging new technology as part of our commitment to strengthening resiliency in the Greater Houston area.” It’s using Neara’s “AI-enabled simulations of severe weather impacts to enhance our current modeling” and to more efficiently address vegetation along power lines and needed equipment upgrades, such as utility pole replacements . Osmose is assisting with data collection, structural analysis and restoration solutions, the spokesperson said.
“This solution helps optimize safety, reliability and resilience while reducing customer outages and speeding up power restoration,” the spokesperson added. Doug Lewin, an Austin-based energy consultant and author of the Texas Energy and Power Newsletter, said it’s an emerging trend in the energy industry to use AI to prioritize projects that would have the greatest impacts on improving resiliency and reliability. “I think it’s a step in the right direction for CenterPoint,” he said.
“We’ll need to see over time how much impact this has.” In a news release from Osmose , the company said the services provided to CenterPoint can result in repair cost savings of up to 70% and restoration times that are up to 80% faster, while also being 25% better at ensuring the most critical repairs happen first. "It all helps CenterPoint manage their risk more efficiently, more effectively and so forth," Osmose’s Brian Reed said.
RELATED: CenterPoint wants $1 billion-plus Hurricane Beryl recovery costs to be covered by Houston-area customers Hirs, the University of Houston energy fellow, said CenterPoint and its employees already should have a good idea of where maintenance is needed in the Houston-area power grid, along with which repairs should be prioritized. “There's nothing new here,” Hirs said. “This is deferred maintenance coming home to roost.
And the customer is paying for it and will be paying double for it as they play catchup.”.
