Brightening the Future: Drumil Joshi's Al innovation energizes loT with solar power

In today's rapidly evolving world of renewable energy, Drumil Joshi-a Monitoring & Diagnostics Analyst I at Southern Power in Birmingham, Alabama is emerging as a visionary leader. His groundbreaking work on the Extended Deep Self-Organizing Map (DSOM) is set to transform how solar energy is harnessed and managed for Internet of Things (LoT) applications, blending deep technical insight with a compelling vision for a sustainable future.

A Vision for Smarter Energy Use

At its core, the Extended DSOM model is an intelligent algorithm designed to predict the availability of solar energy with remarkable precision. By analysing environmental data in real time, the model optimizes the energy usage of loT sensors. For non-technical readers, imagine a smart system that tells a solar-powered sensor when to "wake up" and transmit data, ensuring that every precious watt is used wisely.

For the technically inclined, the model achieves a 91.3% prediction accuracy by combining a self-organizing network with a unique data reconstruction process significantly outperforming traditional approaches like Support Vector Machines (SVM) and conventional Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) "Optimizing energy harvesting is critical for the sustainable growth of smart cities," Drumil Joshi explains.

"Our model adjusts data transmission intervals dynamically, which not only extends sensor lifespan but also reduces the reliance on battery replacements." Reflecting further on the breakthrough, he adds, "This innovation isn't just a technical milestone-it's a key enabler for the global transition to renewable energy. We are proud to be among the top 1% of innovators driving this change."

Bridging Complex Science and Everyday Impact For many cities worldwide, efficient energy management is vital for maintaining robust urban infrastructures while minimizing environmental impact. Joshi's work on the Extended DSOM is especially relevant for smart cities, where air quality. His system allows these sensors to operate autonomously for extended periods, contributing to a more sustainable urban ecosystem.
Global market figures underscore the significance of such innovation. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF, 2023), global investments in renewable energy reached nearly $300 billion in 2023, while the global solar energy capacity is projected to surge by 150% over the next decade. In parallel, the loT market is expected to expand to over $1.1 trillion, emphasizing the urgent need for precise and efficient energy forecasting models like the Extended DSOM.

Reflecting on the broader impact, Drumil Joshi states, "What excites me the most is that our work bridges the gap between complex technical models and real-world applications-making sustainable energy management accessible for cities around the globe."

Technical Innovations Behind the Breakthrough For those eager to delve into the technical details, the Extended DSOM leverages an advanced form of neural networks by employing a dual-phase approach:

* Self-Organizing Phase: This phase clusters similar data, enabling the system to recognize intricate patterns in solar irradiance.

* Reconstruction Phase: Functioning similarly to an autoencoder, this phase minimizes errors by fine-tuning the model's predictions, ensuring consistent accuracy even under fluctuating environmental conditions.

These innovations not only enhance prediction accuracy but also significantly reduce processing time a critical factor for  real-time applications in expansive IoT networks. "By harnessing advanced neural network techniques, our model breaks down intricate patterns in solar irradiance and redefines energy management efficiency," says Drumil Joshi. "This dual-phase approach is a game-changer, enabling us to achieve unprecedented precision and speed."

Leadership and Collaborative Excellence

While a dedicated research team supports this project, it is Drumil Joshi's vision and leadership that truly shine.

Drumil Joshi's Team: a dedicated group of innovators and professors from across the globe working tirelessly to push the boundaries of renewable energy technology.

Looking Ahead

As cities worldwide strive to integrate smarter, greener technologies, Drumil Joshi's innovations offer hope for a more sustainable tomorrow. His work exemplifies how deep technical expertise can translate into practical solutions that not only benefit urban infrastructures but also contribute to global environmental goals.