Can AI boost renewable energy use? The DoE might pay you to figure it out

The US Department of Energy is leveraging artificial intelligence to address significant delays in connecting renewable energy projects to the power grid, a bottleneck that’s hampering the nation’s clean energy transition.

The core initiative: The Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a $30 million funding program called Artificial Intelligence for Interconnection (AI4IX) to accelerate the integration of new energy projects into the power grid.

• The program aims to create partnerships between grid operators, software developers, and energy project developers
• Current wait times for connecting new electricity generation projects can stretch up to seven years
• A massive backlog of 2,600 gigawatts of new energy generation and storage projects awaits connection – roughly double the current US electricity generation capacity

Current challenges: The existing interconnection process represents a bottleneck in the transition to renewable energy, reflecting an outdated system designed primarily for fossil fuel infrastructure.

• Grid operators must complete extensive studies to determine necessary upgrades and associated costs
• The traditional system was built around fewer, larger power plants rather than today’s distributed renewable energy network
• More than 94 percent of pending projects are carbon-free, consisting mainly of solar, wind, and battery storage installations

Technical bottlenecks: The manual review process for interconnection applications creates significant inefficiencies in the system.

• Incomplete applications frequently cause delays in the review process
• Communication between utilities and developers to correct application deficiencies further extends wait times
• The growing number of smaller, distributed energy projects has increased the volume of applications requiring review

Proposed AI solution: The DOE envisions using artificial intelligence to streamline the application review process and reduce delays.

• AI algorithms would be trained on successful applications to quickly identify deficient submissions
• The technology could automatically notify developers about missing information
• The first round of AI4IX funding proposals will be accepted through January 10th, 2025

Market implications: The modernization of grid connection processes could significantly impact the renewable energy sector’s growth trajectory.

• Solar and onshore wind now represent more cost-effective electricity sources compared to traditional fossil fuels
• Faster grid connections could accelerate the deployment of clean energy infrastructure
• Increased efficiency in the interconnection process could help meet rising electricity demand, including from the AI sector itself

Looking ahead: While AI presents a promising solution to grid connection delays, the success of this initiative will depend on effective implementation and adoption by utilities and grid operators, as well as the ability of AI systems to accurately process complex technical applications while maintaining necessary safety and reliability standards.