IBM and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched two groundbreaking, free-to-use AI-powered tools aimed at enhancing global energy forecasting and equity.
The new tools, introduced in collaboration with Stony Brook University, leverage IBM’s advanced technologies to provide valuable insights into energy access and clean energy development.
Electricity Access Forecasting Model
The first tool, the Electricity Access Forecasting model, utilizes AI to project electricity access through 2030. By analyzing factors such as population growth, urbanization, infrastructure, and satellite data, this model offers forecasts for 102 countries, including regions in the Global South and Latin America.
Clean Energy Equity Index
The second tool, the Clean Energy Equity Index, is described as a pioneering model in its field. This index employs an AI-driven statistical geospatial model to assess opportunities and urgent needs for clean energy development. It generates a comprehensive “score” ranging from 0 to 1, based on various environmental, social, and economic criteria, and covers data for 53 African countries.
Customizable and Accessible
Both models are accessible through the UNDP’s GeoHub dashboards, which are designed to support the visualization and analysis of complex datasets. Users can customize these tools to simulate different scenarios and assess the impact of various factors on energy access and equity.
IBM and UNDP developed these tools using IBM’s watsonx, IBM Cloud, and IBM Environmental Intelligence, alongside the IBM Sustainability Accelerator program, over a span of two years.
Empowering Global Decision-Making
The release of these tools marks a significant shift towards making advanced energy models publicly available. Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM’s Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, emphasized the transformative potential of these models. “By making innovative models freely accessible, we aim to equip leaders, organizations, and communities with the insights needed to make impactful energy decisions globally,” she said.
Laurel Patterson, Head of the UNDP SDG Integration Team, highlighted the importance of data and technology in advancing sustainable development goals. “These solutions offer a robust evidence base to support countries in making significant progress toward a just energy transition. Investment in net-zero and people-centered strategies is crucial for accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she noted.
The UNDP operates in approximately 170 countries and territories, focusing on poverty eradication, inequality reduction, and resilience building to ensure sustainable progress.
By offering these tools for free, IBM and UNDP aim to democratize access to crucial energy data and support informed, data-driven decision-making worldwide.
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