Southern California Edison (SCE) and NVIDIA have announced a collaboration to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions for modernizing grid planning and management. The "intelligent grid collaboration" will focus on addressing challenges related to the integration of decentralized energy resources and supporting the evolving needs of the electric grid.

This partnership aims to enhance various aspects of grid operations, such as improving the interconnection of customer loads, advancing asset and vegetation inspections, and refining incident management during power disruptions. The collaboration is expected to increase the resilience and efficiency of SCE's power grid, according to Shinjini Menon, SCE's Senior Vice President of System Planning and Engineering.

SCE anticipates electricity demand in its service area will grow 35% faster over the next decade, as highlighted in its "Reaching net zero" analysis released in September. The utility is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, with a focus on integrating renewable energy, storage solutions, and emerging clean technologies to meet increasing demand.

Marc Spieler, NVIDIA's Senior Managing Director for the Energy Industry, commented that AI will play a significant role in grid optimization, planning, and modernization, helping utilities like SCE transition toward more efficient, resilient, and sustainable energy systems.

The partnership is expected to serve as a model for other utilities, accelerating the adoption of digitalization and AI in the energy sector. Pilot projects under the collaboration are anticipated to be demonstrated within the year.