PJM Taps Google and Tapestry to Use AI for Grid Interconnection
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PJM, the largest grid operator in North America, has embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with tech behemoth Google and its Alphabet X moonshot Tapestry to revolutionize PJM's grid interconnection process through the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
Under this initiative, Tapestry, powered by Google Cloud and Google DeepMind, will leverage its core technology to develop a new set of AI tools and models aimed at intelligently managing and optimizing the interconnection of power generation to the PJM electric grid. This collaboration, announced on April 10, is set to enhance planning and decision-making processes amid increasing grid pressures.
The AI-powered tools by Tapestry will play a crucial role in expediting the connection of new energy sources to the PJM grid. By automating the application intake and data verification process, consolidating grid modeling databases, and facilitating the integration of variable energy resources like wind, solar, and storage, the tools are poised to improve efficiency, affordability, and reliability within the PJM region.
Addressing Grid Challenges
This innovative approach marks the first instance of deploying artificial intelligence to manage the entire energy interconnection queue and process comprehensively. By accelerating the integration of diverse energy sources into the grid, the collaboration aims to set a precedent for other grid operators grappling with similar challenges, offering a scalable model for clean energy integration across various regions.
According to Tapestry's general manager, Page Crahan, this initiative represents a significant step towards bringing more energy capacity onto the grid efficiently and driving affordability through the rapid integration of renewable energy sources.
Enhancing Grid Data Management
Describing the collaboration as a "first-of-its-kind" strategy, Tapestry aims to create a knowledge graph for the electric grid, inspired by Google's success in organizing internet data. By consolidating disparate grid data into a unified platform, the project seeks to provide decision-makers with comprehensive and contextualized information for improved planning and operations.
Through the development of AI-powered tools, the project will streamline the interconnection application process, enhance data verification, and establish a shared environment for assessing grid connections. By leveraging cloud-based technologies and advanced modeling tools, the initiative aims to accelerate project approvals and optimize the interconnection cycle.
Future Prospects
While the AI tools will undergo phased rollout and testing in 2025, the collaboration between PJM, Google, and Tapestry signals a concerted effort towards transforming the grid interconnection process. This collaborative endeavor underscores a commitment to innovation and sets the stage for potential advancements in grid management and renewable energy integration.
