The application of AI and big data in power systems

The electricity grid is undergoing a profound structural transformation. The continuous large-scale integration of renewable energy, the widespread application of power electronics, and the flexibility of loads are fundamentally altering its operational characteristics. The converging of digitalization and the development of low-carbon technologies are increasingly driving the conventional power grid towards a new paradigm characterized by data-driven operations, model-guided optimization, resulting in intelligent decision-making. This report aims to provide systematic analysis and decision-making references for international standardization organizations, government departments, industry, and research institutions, promoting the electricity grid towards higher levels of intelligence and sustainable development. It outlines the mechanisms of action, the system architecture, and application paths of AI and big data in power systems, establishing a verifiable, evaluable, and unified standardizable technical framework. It defines the applications of AI and big data in power systems and addresses the full business processes of planning, construction, operation, maintenance, scheduling, market trading, and security supervision of the power grid. This IEC societal and technology trend report was developed by the Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Applications in Power Systems project team under the IEC Market Strategy Board ( MSB ) and is available for free download .