Google Taps AI to Accelerate Power Connections on America’s Largest Grid

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In a groundbreaking collaboration, Google has announced a partnership with PJM Interconnection—the largest electrical grid operator in North America—to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) in streamlining the complex and lengthy process of connecting new energy sources to the grid.

This initiative marks a major milestone in the power sector, as it's the first time AI will be used to manage an interconnection queue at such a large scale. The goal? To accelerate the addition of new electricity sources like solar, wind, and natural gas, and meet the growing energy demands of an increasingly digital and AI-powered world.

A Smarter Grid, Finally Within Reach

"The industry has been talking about building smarter grids for over a decade, and now with AI, we have a real opportunity to turn discussion into action," said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s Data Center Energy Lead, at a recent press briefing.

This collaboration couldn’t come at a more critical time. As older power plants continue to retire, the backlog of projects waiting to connect to the grid has reached historic highs, contributing to supply shortages, higher power bills, and increased risk of blackouts.

With AI in the mix, Google hopes to transform these delays into streamlined processes.

What Will AI Do?

Google is working with Tapestry, an Alphabet-backed energy tech firm, to develop AI tools that will begin rolling out in 2025. These tools will automate parts of the interconnection review currently done manually by grid planners—like assessing whether a project is viable for grid connection.

“This is really about automating a lot of the things that are being laboriously reviewed,” explained Page Crahan, General Manager of Tapestry.

The long-term vision includes building a digital model of PJM’s electrical grid—something akin to a “Google Maps” for the power network. This tool will let planners toggle different layers of information in real time, improving insights, speeding up decision-making, and helping identify hidden efficiencies in the planning process.

Why This Matters

The rise of data centers—especially for AI applications—has driven a massive increase in electricity demand. PJM’s service area, which covers 67 million people, includes Northern Virginia, the largest data center hub in the world. These facilities require enormous amounts of energy, further straining a grid already facing significant logistical hurdles.

By leveraging Google’s AI capabilities, PJM hopes to tackle these challenges head-on. Although it's still too early to predict exactly how much time the new systems will save, the potential impact is significant.

“This partnership is a major step toward a modern, responsive power grid that can support a clean energy future and an AI-driven economy,” said Aftab Khan, Executive Vice President of Operations, Planning and Security at PJM.

The Bottom Line

Google’s AI is no longer just shaping digital experiences—it’s now poised to redefine how we manage and grow physical infrastructure. As clean energy projects wait in line to power the next generation of innovation, AI might just be the catalyst the energy sector has been waiting for