AI, Automation, and Shaping Tomorrow’s Grid: Lessons from Todd Inlander of SCE at Itron Inspire [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Interview]
At the recent Itron Inspire event, industry leaders gathered to explore the latest advancements in technology, energy, and water management. One of the standout moments was the keynote delivered by Todd Inlander, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Southern California Edison. His presentation focused on how technology, particularly AI and digital tools, are reshaping the future of utilities and helping SCE tackle some of the industry's most pressing challenges, from grid reliability to the growing need for electrification.
Energy Central is proud to have Itron as a partner, and in keeping with our commitment to extending the valuable insights from the event to a broader audience, we had the privilege of sitting down with Todd for an in-depth interview. For those who couldn’t attend Itron Inspire live, this conversation offers a closer look at Todd’s expertise and the innovative approaches SCE is taking in areas like wildfire mitigation, grid modernization, and AI-driven autonomous operations.
In this interview, Todd shares his vision for the role of technology in enhancing grid resilience and operational efficiency while also addressing the challenges utilities face as we move toward a more electrified future. We hope this discussion sparks further conversation within the Energy Central community, and we invite you to share your thoughts and experiences as we all navigate these exciting changes in the utility industry.
You can also watch Todd's full keynote presentation to dive deeper into his perspective on these critical issues, and we invite you to share your questions and comments for Todd at the end of this post.
Todd Inlander at Itron Inspire
Energy Central: Your keynote at Itron Inspire focused on technology as a business enabler in an ever-evolving grid. For those in our audience who weren't fortunate enough to catch your talk, can you share your vision for how technology, particularly AI and digital tools, will help utilities like Southern California Edison (SCE) tackle challenges like grid reliability and electrification?
Todd Inlander: Technology plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges of grid reliability and electrification. For utilities like Southern California Edison (SCE), one of the key challenges is the transition to a grid that supports more distributed energy resources (DERs) and the growing electrification of sectors like transportation and buildings. AI and digital tools can help manage these complexities by enabling smarter grid operations, optimizing energy distribution, and providing real-time insights into grid performance. AI can also predict energy demand and help utilities anticipate potential disruptions, enabling them to proactively address issues before they escalate. Digital tools allow for greater automation of grid functions, improving operational efficiency and reliability. For instance, advanced analytics can support predictive maintenance, and AI-driven optimization of DER integration ensures that energy is used more efficiently and stored effectively, especially during peak periods.