AI initiative marks a promising new tool for tackling PJM’s backlog, especially if paired with continued policy reform 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, PJM Interconnection and Google announced a groundbreaking partnership to use artificial intelligence to streamline how new energy projects connect to the power grid. Clean energy industry advocates welcomed the move as a smart and necessary step toward solving the interconnection backlog that has stalled thousands of clean energy projects across the region. Advanced Energy United praised the initiative as a sign that PJM is embracing innovation to modernize the grid. 

“We applaud PJM for partnering with Google to bring cutting-edge tools to the grid planning process,” said Jon Gordon, Director at Advanced Energy United. “Embracing innovation like this is a critical step toward clearing the massive interconnection backlog and getting more clean energy projects online faster. This kind of forward-thinking approach is exactly what we need to modernize the grid and lower costs for consumers. We’re hopeful that pairing advanced technology with continued market and policy reforms will unlock the full potential of clean, reliable, and affordable energy for the PJM region.” 

AI-powered tools have the potential to dramatically reduce the time it takes for projects to move through PJM’s approval process. Today’s announcement comes at a pivotal moment: with energy demand projected to spike across PJM’s footprint, accelerating the addition of new generation is essential. 

“Technology can speed things up, but it can’t do it alone,” Gordon added. “We look forward to continuing to work with PJM and regulators to continue advancing the market and policy reforms that will make the grid more nimble, more open to new resources, and more prepared for the clean energy transition already underway.”