Researchers from Trinity College Dublin and the ADAPT Centre, funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, have teamed up with CKDelta, an AI software business within CK Hutchison Holdings, to address major challenges in the utilities sector. The collaboration seeks to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency, sustainability, and performance in key areas of utility operations.
Headquartered in Dublin, CKDelta is committed to leveraging data, expertise, and intellectual property to enhance business outcomes. The company is providing €865,000 in funding to support a variety of research projects, including the appointment of a postdoctoral researcher and several PhD students. These researchers will be working under the supervision of Professor Gregory O’Hare, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Head of the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College, and an academic collaborator at the ADAPT Centre.
The funding will enable a deep dive into two critical areas: predictive maintenance and early warning systems. These projects aim to solve some of the most pressing issues faced by utility companies and improve the overall service they provide to customers.
One of the primary focuses of the collaboration is predictive maintenance, which uses AI to analyse data and predict when assets within utility companies are likely to need repair or replacement. Traditionally, maintenance has been reactive, often triggered by customer complaints or when issues arise unexpectedly. With the AI-driven approach, however, maintenance can be planned at the optimal time, ensuring fewer disruptions, reducing operational costs, and improving the reliability and safety of essential services.
The research aims to develop predictive maintenance models that can offer better insights for utility companies, allowing them to make informed decisions rather than reacting to problems as they occur. The improved models could significantly enhance the efficiency of operations by preventing unnecessary downtime and providing timely interventions to avoid costly breakdowns.
Another key aspect of the research is the development of early warning systems. These systems aim to detect, monitor, and forecast potential disruptions or threats to utility operations. In the water industry, for instance, early warning systems are essential for identifying issues such as leaks, burst pipes, floods, sewerage overflows, and blockages.
By enhancing these systems, the research hopes to improve the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of water networks. The goal is not only to reduce operational and maintenance costs but also to boost customer satisfaction and public trust in utilities. Early detection of anomalies can also help safeguard public health and protect the environment by identifying issues before they escalate into larger problems.
Additionally, the research will work on developing an anomaly detection system, which will allow for the identification of real-time deviations from expected behaviours. This system could potentially be adapted for use across other industries and situations, broadening its application and impact.
In addition to the funding, CKDelta will provide researchers with access to data platforms and engineering expertise to support their investigations. CKDelta experts will offer invaluable data engineering and data science support, ensuring the researchers have the tools and resources necessary to conduct their work effectively.
Professor Gregory O’Hare from Trinity and the ADAPT Centre expressed his gratitude for CKDelta’s support and highlighted the potential of this partnership: “We are very grateful to CKDelta for their support and look forward to pooling our expertise as we seek to address some of the most pressing challenges affecting the utilities sector. The scale of these challenges means there is also a significant opportunity to improve sustainability and efficiency, and we believe our data- and AI-driven approach offers great potential in taking a tangible leap forward.”
The collaboration is designed to foster a co-laboratory environment, where both Trinity College Dublin and CKDelta can collaborate closely, integrating their expertise to facilitate the adoption of cutting-edge AI technologies within the utilities sector. The partnership aims to improve the adoption and deployment of innovative AI technologies across CKDelta’s client portfolio and beyond, creating a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.
Joe Parker, CEO of CKH IOD, praised the synergy between both organisations: “This collaboration combines two complementary forces in AI: the frontier research capabilities of Trinity College Dublin—and its ability to experiment, innovate, and test new ideas without restriction, in a way that few commercial organisations can; with CK Delta’s unique capacity to apply innovation directly to real-world commercial challenges, to help businesses thrive in an increasingly data-driven economy.”
The partnership will span over the next four years, during which new streams of knowledge transfer will emerge, facilitating cross-pollination of skills, perspectives, and expertise. These efforts are expected to significantly enhance the ability of utility companies to tackle critical challenges through AI and data-driven strategies.
By collaborating with CKDelta, researchers at Trinity and the ADAPT Centre hope to deliver innovative solutions that will drive efficiencies, improve service delivery, and contribute to a more sustainable future for the utilities sector.