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AI has a pivotal role to play in making renewable energy more viable and scalable . Through AI , we can optimise the performance of renewable energy sources by predicting weather patterns and energy generation capabilities . For example , AI can analyse meteorological data to forecast solar panel output based on cloud cover or predict wind turbine efficiency based on wind speed patterns . This level of precision can make renewable energy sources more reliable and help integrate them seamlessly into the existing grid .
How African enterprises can use cleanrooms to boost cybersecurity capabilities
Graham Brown , Country Manager , Commvault SA , SADC
Traditional backup platforms require expensive infrastructure to run and cannot ensure that there are valid and clean backups available post the attack that have not been infected . They are thus unable to prevent reinfection and can also not detect whether threat actors are still silently hiding within the environment .
In regions where renewable energy infrastructure is still in its infancy , AI can assist in planning optimal locations for new solar farms or wind turbines , ensuring maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact . This planning capability is particularly critical in rural or underdeveloped areas where energy access remains limited and the potential for renewable energy solutions is high .
The transition to sustainable energy is not just about technology – it is about people . South Africa ’ s coal industry employs thousands of workers , many of whom live in communities that depend on mining and coal-fired power plants for economic stability . A sudden shift to renewables could lead to job losses and economic displacement , further exacerbating inequality in the country .
AI can support a more equitable transition by identifying new opportunities for job creation in the renewable energy sector . For instance , retraining programmes can use AI to assess the skills of coal workers and match them to emerging roles in solar , wind , or energy storage industries . Additionally , AI can help optimise the transition process , ensuring that the energy supply remains consistent even as the country reduces its reliance on coal .
This transition is critical to ensuring that the move toward a greener future does not leave communities behind . By leveraging AI , South Africa can create a more sustainable energy ecosystem while preserving jobs and promoting economic growth .
This all sounds fabulous , but it does rely on technology and , more importantly , infrastructure . For example , energy producers and parastatals need infrastructure that enables AI to function at scale , allowing them to optimise both fossil fuel-based and renewable energy systems with real-time data insights .
The technology needed includes data storage solutions designed to manage the complex , highperformance demands of AI while also ensuring
To effectively circumvent these limitations , organisations should consider adopting a cleanroom recovery system that offers a secure , isolated , cloudbased environment for system restoration , making it a crucial investment for any business .
Because it is an isolated environment , a cleanroom stores verified data that is known to be consistent and clean and is therefore recoverable . Hence , the main benefit of cleanroom technology is its ability to ensure safe data recovery with no chance of reinfection , which in turn minimises costly downtime .
Cleanroom recovery technology can identify clean backups by advanced scanning of data that already resides in the backup repositories to detect any threats and anomalous or malicious software inside these data sets . This will determine whether anything in the repository may be unsafe and compromise the recoverability of that piece of data .
Furthermore , cleanroom recovery includes a verification process that allows mock tests and simulated runs of some key data recovery processes to help ensure the data is clean .
Because the cleanroom is cloud-based , this environment can be spun up quickly and its dependence on minimal infrastructure means that a rapid recovery can be conducted , coupled with swift restoration of data . These capabilities are key to ensuring that a business can be up and running within a brief period following an attack .
Businesses that do not use secure recovery methods like cleanroom recovery face several potential risks . Prolonged downtime is the biggest impact which can severely affect an organisation ’ s productivity . This in turn can lead to major financial losses and reputational damage .
energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of data centres . Adding cloud-native capabilities allows organisations to tap into the power of AI and machine learning models without the need for costly infrastructure overhauls whether it is managing predictive maintenance data from coal plants or optimising renewable energy grids .
The conversation is moving away from a could , should , might , maybe discussion . Speaking to storage vendors who profess to provide the exact infrastructure required to make the shift , the time for the energy sector to start on AI to assist sustainability is right now . p
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