ENERGY INNOVATION AT AES
Innovation that powers the future
At AES, our vast industry knowledge and insight together with our entrepreneurial culture enables us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in energy. We collaborate, test, prove, and scale breakthrough solutions with our partners and customers to meet their energy needs while accelerating the transition to a smarter energy future.
A legacy of innovation
AES has always taken on the biggest challenges in energy.
In the 2000s, we pioneered lithium-ion battery storage solutions, which enabled us to introduce the first utility-scale lithium-ion storage project. Then, in the 2010s, we scaled this technology into a multi-billion-dollar industry. In the 2020s, we accelerated the integration of different generation technologies, energy storage, and digital solutions to enhance grid resiliency and lower power costs.
Today, we continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, bringing transformative, tailored solutions to our customers and the world.
A proven model for innovation
Innovation at AES isn't just about ideas. We follow a structured, insights-driven approach that optimizes our operations, improves outcomes for our customers, and develops new business lines that shape the future of energy. Our proven framework grounds every breakthrough in strategy and execution.
Core: Automating energy forecasting
AES data scientists partnered with Google to develop the Farseer, an AI Generation Forecasting and Marketing Automation Program to help forecast renewable asset output, while establishing an automation framework for streamlining our operations. It has generated nearly $9 million in benefits since its creation.
New: Innovating for 24/7 carbon-free energy
Carbon-free energy is crucial for meeting the growing energy demand required to power AI. AES provides carbon-free energy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to customers like Google and beyond.
Exponential: Pioneering solar robotics
AES created Maximo, the world’s first AI-enabled solar robot, and Max IQ, AI-amplified intelligence. Skilled construction crews rely on Maximo to improve safety and speed by performing the heavy lifting of placing and attaching solar modules. Together they optimize project installation and power a full end-to-end mechanical solar module installation. Customers like Amazon benefit from Maximo by accelerating large-scale solar projects and helping meet workforce demand.
Innovation in our culture
Energy Star
AES' Energy Star program is our foundational transformation system. It enables us to rapidly implement and scale emerging technologies, including AI, across our business. This approach isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about fundamentally reshaping the way we operate, from renewables to supply chain and beyond.
AES Next
AES Next combines entrepreneurship and deep industry context to build and invest in a portfolio of high-growth businesses and strategic partnerships. From pioneering storage solutions to revolutionizing solar deployment, AES Next’s projects are at the forefront of driving energy innovation.
APEX
APEX is an AES initiative that aims to drive continuous improvement with methodologies and tools to solve problems and address areas for growth.
Innovation jobs
Our people are our power. All of our jobs prioritize innovation and encourage collaboration.
Energy Innovation Challenge
AES’ Energy Innovation Challenge is a competition that brings together teams of graduate students from diverse backgrounds to create solutions to relevant problems the energy industry is facing.
Advancing AI in the energy sector
At AES, artificial intelligence is woven into everything we do: enhancing efficiency in our internal operations, building new businesses, and driving smarter, more sustainable solutions for our customers.
Powering AI for the world: data centers
With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, electricity demand is soaring. As corporations' number one clean energy provider, AES helps hyperscalers efficiently meet their increasing power needs.
Advancing AI for the industry: AI Fund
Through our partnership with AI Fund, we’re co-building AI-powered startups that accelerate the energy transition by optimizing renewables, enhancing worksite safety, and helping renewables projects access clean energy finance. By investing in cutting-edge AI solutions, we’re not just adapting to the future of energy; we’re creating it.
Leveraging AI for our business: Aurora
We launched Aurora, an initiative that enables our people to responsibly and efficiently incorporate artificial intelligence into our day-to-day operations. We’ve created an internal competition to promote AI-backed solution-building, built AI tools into our operating systems, and educated our people on how artificial intelligence can boost productivity and efficiency.
Award-winning innovation
Recognized as an industry leader and a Great Place To Work® in the markets where we operate
#1 seller of renewable energy to corporations in the world
Seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute award for innovation
A World’s Most Ethical Company, awarded 12 consecutive times by Ethisphere Institute
Recognized as Best Workplace for Innovators
Recognized for excellence in driving digital business growth through technology innovation
