Google Partners with PJM to Use AI for Faster Power Grid Connections
Google, owned by Alphabet Inc., is partnering with PJM Interconnection, the biggest electric grid operator in North America, to bring artificial intelligence solutions to accelerate the integration of new sources of energy, as reported by Reuters.
This is the first widespread application of AI to administer interconnection queues, in response to increasing electricity needs as technology giants are stepping up the development and deployment of data centers to fuel AI growth.
Amanda Peterson Corio, who leads data center energy initiatives at Google, said, "The industry has been talking about building smarter grids for well over a decade, and now with AI, we have a real opportunity to turn discussion into action.”
Addressing a Critical Bottleneck in the Energy Transition
According to Reuters, renewable energy projects such as wind, solar, and natural gas have experienced unprecedented delays as they try to hook into power grids, and this has worsened power shortages, lifted utility bills, and heightened the specter of blackouts, particularly as older power plants are retired ahead of new plants coming on line.
Through this collaboration, Google and Alphabet-backed Tapestry aim to streamline these grid connection processes. By harnessing AI, they plan to automate and enhance the complex review and planning procedures that currently bog down PJM’s interconnection queue.
Also read: Orbital Materials and Civo Join Forces to Advance Carbon Removal in Data Centers
Building a 'Google Maps' for the Grid
In the early stages, the AI systems will focus on automating manual aspects of grid planning, such as reviewing applications for new projects to assess their feasibility.
As the technology advances, the partnership envisions creating a digital twin of PJM’s grid infrastructure, an interactive model akin to Google Maps.
This tool would allow planners to layer information visually and toggle data sets on and off to accelerate decision-making and surface new insights.
