Google taps AI to ease power grid congestion as data center demand soars

In a move that could reshape how the U.S. energy grid handles soaring electricity demand, Google is teaming up with PJM Interconnection—the country’s largest grid operator—to deploy artificial intelligence tools that could streamline the notoriously slow process of connecting new power sources.

It’s the first time AI will be used at scale to manage an interconnection queue, a key chokepoint in bringing new energy projects online. The timing is critical: power demand in the U.S. is surging, driven largely by Big Tech’s explosive growth in energy-hungry data centers built to support AI workloads.

For electricity providers and developers, the stakes are high. Delays in grid connection approvals—often measured in years—have led to bottlenecks across the country. Projects powered by wind, solar, and natural gas sit idle while older plants retire, tightening supply and contributing to rising energy prices and blackout risks.

“This industry has talked about building smarter grids for over a decade,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s data center energy lead. “Now with AI, we have a real shot at moving from talk to implementation.”

The initiative, backed by Alphabet’s Tapestry platform, aims to cut through red tape by automating and accelerating several manual aspects of the interconnection review process. Google and Tapestry plan to phase in these AI-powered tools across PJM’s network starting in 2025.

“This is really about eliminating the painstakingly manual parts of the process,” said Page Crahan, General Manager of Tapestry. That includes assessing the viability of projects looking to connect to the grid—currently a time-intensive task for grid planners.

One long-term goal of the partnership is to develop a dynamic, data-rich visualization of the PJM grid—likened to a “Google Maps” for grid planners. The interface would allow stakeholders to layer in relevant data, speeding up decision-making and exposing opportunities for greater efficiency.

Still, PJM executives caution that it’s too early to predict exactly how much AI will accelerate the process. “There’s a lot of promise,” said Aftab Khan, PJM’s EVP of operations and planning. “But implementation will be key.”

PJM’s grid serves 67 million people, including northern Virginia—home to the world’s largest concentration of data centers. As the region’s electricity appetite climbs, pressure is mounting to modernize grid management and unlock clean energy potential.

FAQ: Understanding Google and PJM’s AI grid initiative

1.Why is this AI initiative important now?

The U.S. power grid is under strain from rising demand, especially from AI-driven data centers. Connecting new energy sources—like solar, wind, and gas—takes years due to a backlog in the interconnection queue. This initiative could significantly shorten that timeline.

2.What does Google bring to the table?

Google, through Alphabet and its Tapestry platform, brings data science and AI expertise. These tools can automate review processes, synthesize complex grid data, and help planners make faster, more informed decisions.

3.How will this affect energy developers?

Faster interconnection reviews could help developers deploy projects quicker, reduce financing risks, and improve ROI. This could accelerate investment in clean energy and grid infrastructure.

4.What regions could benefit most?

PJM’s territory spans 13 states and Washington, D.C., serving 67 million people. Areas like northern Virginia—with high concentrations of data centers—stand to benefit significantly.

5.Is this a scalable model for other grid operators?

Potentially. If the partnership proves successful, other grid operators across the U.S. and globally may adopt similar AI-driven strategies to modernize their interconnection and planning processes.
 

Google’s AI partnership with PJM marks a pivotal step toward modernizing how new energy projects plug into the U.S. grid. With tech giants fueling demand and renewable developers eager to connect, streamlined processes could reduce delays, ease grid stress, and unlock new business opportunities in energy infrastructure. Business leaders across tech, energy, and infrastructure should watch this closely—it could be a blueprint for the future of grid planning.