Artificial Intelligence and Circular Economy in Energy Technologies: Innovation for a Sustainable Energy Transition

1. Introduction

The global energy transition requires not only the integration of renewable energy and new clean technologies, but also the development of sustainable models that optimize resource use, reduce waste, and extend the lifespan of energy assets. In this context, the circular economy stands as a strategic approach to transform how energy technologies are designed, used, and managed.

In parallel, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the energy sector through advanced data analysis tools, automation, predictive maintenance, and process optimization. The convergence between AI and the circular economy opens up new opportunities to improve the sustainability of technologies such as solar panels, batteries, energy storage systems, and electrical equipment.

This webinar aims to provide an introductory overview of how artificial intelligence can help drive circular economy models within the energy sector, promoting a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable energy transition.

2. Presentation of the Curriculum

The webinar will be delivered in a virtual format and will last approximately 2 hours, structured into interrelated thematic blocks that combine conceptual content, application examples, and interactive sessions with participants.

Block 1: Introduction to Circular Economy and Energy Technologies

• • Circular economy principles applied to the energy sector.

  • Challenges associated with the lifecycle of energy technologies.

  • Technological waste management and recovery of critical materials.

  • The importance of circularity in the energy transition.

Block 2: Applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Energy Sector

• • Basic fundamentals of artificial intelligence and data analysis.

  • AI applied to energy optimization and predictive maintenance.

  • Automation and smart monitoring of energy assets.

  • Use of AI to improve operational efficiency and sustainability.

Block 3: AI and Circular Economy in Energy Technologies

• • AI applications for recycling, reuse, and lifetime extension of energy technologies.

  • Cases and trends in batteries, solar panels, and electrical systems.

  • Opportunities and challenges for Latin America and the Caribbean.

  • Future perspectives on sustainable technological innovation.

Classes will be in a virtual format, with participation from the technical team, and will be interactive to address participants’ questions.

3. General Objective of the Curriculum

To provide participants with an introductory overview of the application of artificial intelligence in circular economy models associated with energy technologies, identifying opportunities, challenges, and trends to strengthen the sustainability and efficiency of the energy transition.

4. Learning Outcomes of the Curriculum

Upon completion of the webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the basic principles of the circular economy applied to the energy sector.

• Identify applications of artificial intelligence in energy technologies and systems.

• Recognize opportunities to improve sustainability and efficiency through AI-based solutions.

• Analyze the potential of AI to optimize the lifecycle of energy technologies such as batteries and solar panels.

• Identify challenges and trends associated with the circular economy and energy digitalization in Latin America and the Caribbean.

5. Participant Profile

The webinar is aimed at:

• Public officials and decision-makers linked to energy, environment, and innovation.

• Professionals and technicians from the energy and technology sectors.

• Consultants in sustainability, energy transition, and digitalization.

• Academics and researchers interested in artificial intelligence and the circular economy.

• Students of engineering, energy, sustainability, technology, and related fields.

6. Intensity of the Curriculum

The study plan will have the following hourly workload:

BLOCK	TOPIC	TIME ALLOCATION
BLOCK 1	Circular economy and energy technologies	35 MINUTES
BLOCK 2	Artificial intelligence applications in energy	40 MINUTES
BLOCK 3	AI applied to circular economy in energy technologies	35 MINUTES
Q&A SESSION	Discussion and exchange with participants	10 MINUTES
TOTAL		2 HOURS

7. Registration

Participants must register as users at: https://capevcursos.olade.org/login/signup.php and then enroll in the study plan through the following link: https://capevcursos.olade.org/course/view.php?id=35.

“This curriculum is open access and is free of charge for OLACDE Member Countries, as it is executed within the framework of the ETRELA project ‘Improving, increasing and facilitating access to education and training in renewable energies in Latin America,’ funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Government and in cooperation with the ESCUELA POLITÉCNICA NACIONAL (EPN).”

8. Training Methodology

All curriculum materials—consisting of lessons, links for each synchronous session, and consultation and evaluation tools—will be stored in the OLACDE knowledge community: https://capevlac.olade.org/. Participants must log into this platform using the username and password registered at the time of enrollment.

Virtual sessions will be taught under a synchronous online modality, which involves real-time interaction between instructors and participants using OLACDE’s videoconferencing platform.

9. Intellectual Property

All material produced and distributed in this course must be used exclusively by the person registered for it. Any use of the material for purposes other than this specific training action must be consulted with and approved by OLACDE.

10. Instructors

Patricia E. Otero Valladares is an Electronics and Control Engineer, holding Master’s degrees in Business Management and Electrical Engineering.

She is currently a professor and Coordinator of the Electrical Engineering Career at the Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN), a researcher in the Scienergy group, and a doctoral candidate in the PhD Program in Electrical Engineering at the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL).

She possesses professional experience in the oil, electricity, and public utilities sectors across both public and private organizations. Throughout her career, she has held technical and management responsibilities, including Head of Commercial Transactions at the Empresa Pública Metropolitana de Agua Potable y Saneamiento de Quito (EPMAPS), Specialist in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the Empresa Eléctrica Quito, and Manager of the Rural Electrification Project with Renewable Energies at the Ministry of Energy.

Her academic and professional work focuses on electrical power systems, renewable energies, energy efficiency, electric mobility, and sustainability.