Artificial Intelligence. Real Results.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a concept of the future – it is a powerful tool reshaping industry today.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic of conversation for the past couple of years. As the subject of numerous news stories and keynote speeches, AI has been thrust into the mainstream, including into everyday business conversations. The electric industry is no exception, and Santee Cooper made plans to meet AI opportunities and challenges and to strategically use AI to enhance operations.

That’s why Santee Cooper tapped Wayne Madhlangobe, a Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) who holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems focused on big data analytics, to lead a five-member team of data scientists. The team is responsible for driving innovations and supporting strategic decision making through data analytics and artificial intelligence.

The data analytics team consists of Senior Data Scientist Trent Richardson, Data Scientist III Greg Houston, Data Scientist III Patrick Simmons, Data Scientist II Ken Turner and Data Scientist I Alex Patsey.

Santee Cooper’s AI architects (clockwise from back left): Wayne Madhlangobe, Ken Turner, Trent Richardson, Alex Patsey, Greg Houston and Patrick Simmons.

The team makes use of cutting-edge technologies to extract actionable insights from vast amounts of data. This information is used to enhance operational performance and promote a culture of data-driven decision making across the organization.

“We are dedicated to harnessing the power of AI and machine learning to optimize processes, anticipate trends and address emerging challenges, all in the support of our mission to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians,” said Madhlangobe. “Our objectives include establishing a robust data governance framework to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and supporting data security, while adhering to regulatory requirements and industry best practices.”

In the spring of 2024, Santee Cooper introduced its first customer-facing AI, “Cooper,” to help customers and other stakeholders find useful information on our website without having to search through all of its pages. Cooper is available 24/7 and can provide quick responses to a wide range of questions. The chatbot also offers English and Spanish translation support between our customers and customer service representatives (CSRs), allowing Santee Cooper to better serve those customers. Phase II is planned for Q4 2025 and will support transactional use cases, like customers looking up account information or paying their bills.

Meet Cooper

Your helpful AI guide from Santee Cooper, making it easy to find what you need—no website digging required.

Additionally, the data analytics team was able to introduce comprehensive data solutions to our customer service team that included the initial deployment of machine-learning models to detect electric vehicles (EVs) on our distribution network. The tools played a pivotal role in enhancing our capabilities through customer self-reporting and the use of Department of Motor Vehicles data to identify possible EV owners in our service territory. AI also contributed significantly to the 2024 rate study in the development of a new rates calculator, which was used by both customers and CSRs.

AI’s uses at the utility do not stop there. Santee Cooper harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to transform how lakes Moultrie and Marion are monitored and managed with its lake elevation prediction and optimization project. The project’s goal is to enhance the accuracy of lake elevation and inflow forecasts, maximize electricity production efficiency, and minimize water spillage and flood risks.

The process begins with comprehensive data collection, followed by training machine-learning models to analyze historical and real-time data. Using simulation optimization techniques, these models are then deployed in operational environments to guide critical decisions.

The expected results are substantial:
> Improved Prediction Accuracy: Advanced models significantly reduce forecasting errors for inflows and elevation changes.

> Optimized Resource Usage: Reliable predictions enable smarter use of water and energy resources.

> Increased Operational Efficiency: Real-time insights empower proactive strategies to control spillage and mitigate flood risks.

This marks a significant leap forward in lake management. By moving beyond outdated forecasting models and embracing real-time, data-driven decision-making, the project gives stakeholders the tools to manage water sustainably and efficiently.

“Every time we prevent unnecessary water spilling, we save money for our ratepayers and reduce impacts on downstream communities,” said Director of System Operations Adam Taylor. “More accurate inflow and lake level models help us achieve that by improving long-term forecasts and giving us more time to respond to changing conditions.”

Phase II of the project, which is scheduled to be in service in Q4 2025, will focus on economic dispatching and load forecasting improvements.

Load Forecasting is predicting how much electricity is needed to support our service area in the future (next hour, day ahead and 30 days out). Just as weather forecasts help people prepare for rain or sunshine, Santee Cooper uses load forecasting to ensure there’s enough power available when customers need it. This helps prevent outages, keeps electricity costs stable, and allows utilities to plan better for energy efficiency.

At Santee Cooper we are using Lake Elevation Prediction to forecast water levels in our lakes. Just as weather forecasts help people plan their day, predicting lake elevations ensures that water is managed efficiently for drinking and electricity generation. By using economic dispatching, we optimize how water is used for hydropower, balancing energy production with conservation. This means customers benefit from reliable electricity, stable water supplies, and lower costs, as resources are used wisely without unnecessary waste.

The use of artificial intelligence is also being implemented in generation with a predictive maintenance program aimed at catching problems before they happen, reducing unexpected outages, and improving reliability.

Here’s what’s coming:

Unit Maintenance Outage Scheduling | Q3 2025
Scheduled downtime will be used to inspect and upgrade key equipment. With AI insights, teams will know exactly what needs attention — saving time and resources.

Demand Load Forecasting | Q3 2025
Santee Cooper’s internal load forecasting model will provide real-time predictions for energy demand in the next hour based on weather forecasts, enabling precise load management and operational efficiency.

AI Assistant Chatbot | Q3 2025
Santee Cooper is developing an internal-facing AI chat service that will function as an intelligent bot and document intelligence service.

Equipment Defect Detection | Q3 2025
AI-powered tools will monitor systems in real time to detect small issues before they turn into big, expensive problems. Think of it like a check engine light that’s much smarter.

Asset Performance Monitoring | Q3 2025
Sensors and analytics will track how equipment is performing 24/7, giving operators valuable insights to extend the life of assets and reduce costly repairs.

These AI-driven initiatives are just the beginning of a transformative journey for Santee Cooper. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences, each new project builds on the foundation of previous projects’ progress. Together, these innovations are shaping a smarter, more sustainable future for how we manage water, energy and infrastructure.