PJM Partners with Google and Tapestry to Boost Grid Efficiency with AI
PJM Partners with Google and Tapestry to Boost Grid Efficiency with AI
PJM, one of the nation's largest power grid operators, has partnered with Google and Tapestry to enhance its planning process for connecting new generation resources to the electrical grid. The collaboration aims to significantly reduce processing times for reviewing new interconnection applications, allowing PJM to efficiently handle a large volume of requests.
Tapestry, a cutting-edge project dubbed "the moonshot for the electrical grid," will work with PJM to develop and deploy AI tools and models to optimize the generation interconnection process. Powered by Google Cloud and Google DeepMind, Alphabet's world-leading artificial intelligence research lab, these innovative solutions will enable PJM to make faster decisions with greater confidence.
The partnership is a strategic move for PJM as it seeks to automate its planning processes and meet the increasing demand for electricity in its service area of 13 states and Washington, D.C. According to Aftab Khan, PJM's Executive Vice President – Operations, Planning & Security, innovation is key to meeting these demands.
PJM is exploring AI tools, including its work with Tapestry, to improve planning processes and expedite the processing of generation resources needed to meet future demand. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, PJM can reduce completion times for new service requests and enhance the overall reliability and security of the electricity system.
The collaboration also highlights the potential of AI in modernizing the grid, as stated by Page Crahan, General Manager of Tapestry. "We will deliver a set of collaborative AI tools that enable PJM to make faster decisions with greater confidence, making more energy capacity available to interconnect in shorter time frames and helping to integrate many dynamic resources looking to join the grid."
Google sees this partnership as an opportunity to contribute to securing America's electricity needs, particularly for the many resources seeking to provide energy to the grid. Amanda Peterson Corio, Head of Data Center Energy for Google, noted that this work with PJM is a great catalyst for innovation across the United States.
The collaboration complements PJM's ongoing efforts to automate its planning processes as it implements the reformed interconnection process started in July 2023. PJM will continue to process projects and initiate its new Cycle process in early 2026, while also announcing the Reliability Resource Initiative to expedite entry of selected projects in the transition phase.