While automatic snow guns are a common component of the snowmaking process, artificial intelligence goes much further to include all of the machine rooms, pump stations, weather stations, water cooling and utility grids. Additionally, AI will be making the decisions on when and where to make snow. Automated decision making will also integrate skier patterns, skier numbers, weather forecasts, budgets, energy costs and snow depth data from the grooming fleet and drones. In the near future, labor will be cut by 70% and there will be two SCADA Technicians on every shift. AI does not mean that snowmaking will be unattended. Mountain managers will remain the “H” in HMI.
The biggest benefit of AI is that ski resort customers are rewarded with consistent, quality snow; and more of it. Because AI operates at nearly 100% productivity, customers get more snow sooner. For the resort owners, revenues increase from satisfied customers, while technology decreases the cost per unit of snow production. Both go to the bottom line of business.
AI is now running over 40% of other manufacturing processes and will be the norm for snowmaking leaders within five years. Equipment and SCADA technology is available. What is needed is data collection and organization of baseline data so that algorithms can be written and implemented. Data collection tools are also available today.
The biggest challenge of AI is CHANGE in human habits
Change is accelerated when managers feel ownership into the process. Ownership comes from the tangible results of best practices. Best practices in snowmaking come from real-time information, automated decision making and continuous operational adjustments. The variables are many and best processed with technology. Larger volumes of snow are tangible and this is the catalyst to change human habits.
Lastly, no ski resort manager has control of global warming, but we do control how much snow we can make when temperatures are available. And we do control the investment and superior productivity of AI.
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Tito
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