PJM Improves Grid Connection Efficiency through AI and Digitalization
The growing requirement for renewable energy, especially solar, wind, and battery storage, has resulted in a huge backlog of grid connection requests throughout the United States. By the end of 2023, the grid connection requests stood at more than 2,600 GW, out of which 95% were from renewable sources, as reported by Reuters.
The long process of approval, with certain projects languishing in the connection queue for as long as five years, has been a stumbling block to a transition to cleaner energy.
The AI and Digital Tools Role
To stem these difficulties, the PJM Interconnection, the operator of the largest power grid in the US, has teamed up with Google and Tapestry AI to integrate advanced AI and digital tools into the grid connection approval process.
Employment of AI will quite significantly accelerate decision-making, cut down time for grid connection studies, and enhance efficiency in data transmission and project management. The aim of this initiative is to bring down the average time for grid connection approval from 40 months (2018-2022) to 1-2 years by the year 2026.
Automation and AI-Enhanced Solutions
The collaboration will utilize AI-driven tools to streamline grid connection studies and improve operational speed. By integrating AI into the process, PJM has already managed to process approximately 140 GW of projects from its queue since 2023, a substantial increase in efficiency.
Reuters reports that the automation will enable PJM to handle the growing number of clean power applications and ensure faster approvals for critical energy projects.
Additionally, MISO (Midwest ISO) and SPP (Southwest Power Pool) have also adopted digital tools for optimizing grid connection times, with MISO completing the Phase 1 study process in just 10 days, down from 686 days using previous methods.
Also read: Google Partners with PJM to Use AI for Faster Power Grid Connections
Future Outlook
According to Reuters, while AI tools are transforming the grid connection process, experts note that for sustained efficiency gains, companies will need to invest in software infrastructure and data transparency.
AI's potential to accelerate grid connections and improve the efficiency of grid networks is significant, but it requires collaboration across public and private sectors to ensure energy growth, affordability, and reliability.
