Energy company Shell and Microsoft have formed an alliance to address industrial carbon emissions. Both companies will expand their existing technology collaboration to create and deliver new solutions to help customers, suppliers and other businesses lower emissions.

Shell will supply Microsoft with renewable energy, helping Microsoft to meet its commitment to having a 100% supply of renewable energy by 2025;

The two companies will continue working together on artificial intelligence (AI), which has already driven transformation across Shell’s operations through access to real-time data insights, contributing to worker and onsite safety, and delivering efficiencies that have helped reduce Shell’s carbon emissions;

Shell and Microsoft have been working together on AI for three years. So far this year, 47 AI-powered proprietary applications have been deployed across Shell’s businesses. Technologies such as Real-Time Production Optimisation have already shown potential to reduce CO2 emissions in Shell’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations. The companies are committed to accelerating their AI work together to drive efficiencies and reduce emissions.

The two organisations have worked together to develop technologies to help keep Shell’s workers and sites safe. Shell’s Autonomous Integrity Recognition (AIR) system run on Microsoft Azure. The AIR system uses image recognition algorithms to detect when equipment or parts of a site are susceptible to corrosion.

Shell and Microsoft will work together on further new digital tools so Shell can offer its suppliers and customers effective support in reducing their carbon footprints;

The two companies will explore working together to help advance the use of sustainable aviation fuels; and

The companies plan to use the Azure platform and data from Shell assets to strengthen operational safety, by improving risk analysis, prediction and prevention.

“Microsoft and Shell both have rich histories of innovation and bold ambitions to decarbonise,” said Huibert Vigeveno, Downstream Director of Shell. “We are proud of the work we have already done together. Our strategic alliance will enable us to push the boundaries of what can be achieved. We believe we can unlock tremendous progress for Shell, Microsoft, our customers and beyond.”

“We are building on our work with Shell by establishing a deeper alliance to further accelerate innovation in support of decarbonisation and energy industry transition,” said Judson Althoff, executive vice president of Microsoft’s Worldwide Commercial Business. “Cross-industry collaborations like this are fundamental to help society reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and digital transformation is key to tackling this important issue, within the energy sector and beyond.”