Climate change: How can AI help us curb this global crisis?
According to a study published by the academic journal Nature, humans are responsible for between 25% and 40% more of the total production of methane emissions than previously estimated. Methane is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases, being approximately 28 times more effective than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere, thus contributing to climate change.
For this reason, this gas is currently responsible for about a quarter of global warming. While it is naturally generated by animals, volcanoes, and wetlands, it is also a by-product of oil and gas production. In the mining industry, this is a problem that is also very present, due to the negative impact of the fossil fuels that are used for both production and transport.
Using fossil fuel: on the way to greater efficiency
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement for climate change, 195 countries pledged to limit global temperature rise to 2.0 ° C, and ideally no more than 1.5 ° C. This objective has motivated, in part, the decarbonization of multiple industries. This apparent shift in mindset will no doubt soon increase pressure from governments, investors and society to reduce emissions from the mining sector.
Currently, this industry is responsible for 4 to 7% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. CO2 emissions generated by mining operations and energy consumption, respectively, amount to 1%. For its part, fugitive methane emissions from coal mining are estimated to be between 3 and 6%.
The negative impact of these emissions has been long documented, both abroad and in Chile. During the beginning of 2020, a study revealed that the rise in the planet's temperature was partially responsible for the devastating fires registered in Australia. In Chile, the climatic diversity present throughout the territory has been affected in multiple aspects, especially when it comes to rainfall, a factor that negatively impacts relevant industries, such as agriculture.
COSMOS
UNIT, a company dedicated to the development of solutions through artificial intelligence, addresses this problem through COSMOS. This project seeks to optimize the use of fuels in transportation industries, especially in the mining sector.
The platform allows to reduce fuel consumption, along with GHG emissions through predictions based on artificial intelligence models. These predict consumption, optimize performance and detect anomalies in fuel use to ensure better use of this resource. Early detection also provides feedback to operators on incorrect operational practices. Thus seeking excellence and operational efficiency.