Modernizing the Grid for AI-Driven Operations

This white paper outlines Southern California Edison's (SCE) multi-year transformation effort aimed at modernizing its grid infrastructure to support AI-driven operations. The document details the challenges faced by utility companies, including aging infrastructure, rising electricity demand, and the need for improved operational resilience. SCE's strategy focuses on implementing a centralized, vendor-agnostic automation and orchestration framework that enhances operational consistency and data-driven decision-making. The paper shares key lessons learned from SCE's journey, emphasizing the importance of standardization, interoperability, and cross-team alignment. It also discusses the foundational role of automation and orchestration in achieving grid modernization and the necessity of developing organizational readiness alongside technological advancements. By documenting its experiences, SCE aims to provide practical guidance for other utility organizations seeking to navigate similar transformation paths while addressing regulatory expectations and customer demands for real-time insights and service reliability.