Article
AI Driven Smart Grids and the Right to Privacy: Legal Challenges in Consumer Energy Data Protection
The rapid integration of AI into smart grid infrastructure has fundamentally transform how energy system collects, process and utilise consumer data. Smart metres, IoT enable devices and AI driven analytics now generate granular behavioural profiles revealing occupancy patterns, daily routine and lifestyle habits raising profound concerned about consumer privacy and the advocacy of existing legal protections. This paper examines the legal challenges post by AI driven smart grades at the intersection of energy regulation and data privacy laws. Its analysis how current framework including the GDP are in the European union and sector specific energy regulations struggle to address the scale, velocity comma and sensitivity of energy data generated by AI systems. Issue explodes include the adequacy of consent mechanism the scope of data minimization obligations algorithmic transparency and the challenges of regulating third party data sharing between energy providers and commercial entities. The people for the Argus the traditional privacy laws doctrine when not design to content with the predictive AI interference where sensitive personal conclusion can be derived from ostensibly non sensitive energy consumption data. This gap exposes consumer to risk of surveillance, profiling and discriminatory practices without meaningful legal recourse. This paper concludes by proposing a right based regulatory framework that mandates purpose limitation, algorithmic accountability, and enhance consumer control over energy data. Bridging the divide between technology innovations and fundamental right protection is imperative as smart grid deployment accelerate globally.