As more renewable generation becomes available, interconnecting that new capacity with existing transmission infrastructure becomes increasingly difficult.

At the same time, new technology has also been developed to help ease the strain.

On Nov. 25, 2024, the Biden administration announced funding of up to $30 million to accelerate the interconnection process for new generating capacity. The funding will incorporate artificial intelligence (A.I.) techniques to streamline the review of interconnection applications and reduce backlogs.

The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021 and will be processed through the Department of Energy’s (DOE) new Artificial Intelligence for Interconnection (AI4IX) program.

The program will develop partnerships between software developers, grid operators and energy project developers. Together, they will work to modernize the interconnection application process and significantly reduce the time required to review, approve and commission new generation interconnections.

The DOE notes that interconnection queues to connect new generation are not keeping pace with the needs of the grid. Its own Queued Up Report, released in April 2024, shows that new generation interconnection can take up to seven years. The benefit of getting that power online is tremendous, as active but unconnected capacity currently exceeds connected generation by a factor of two to one, according to the DOE.

Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said that A.I. is “an energy solution” that can clear interconnection backlogs and free up new energy sources.

The DOE noted that more than 90% of applications received are insufficient or incomplete. The AI4IX program will apply algorithms to the interconnection application process to more quickly identify deficient applications and rapidly notify applicants to solve the problem. Currently, identifying deficient applications and correcting them is done manually, which leads to delays. The use of A.I. can greatly improve the precision and speed with which interconnection applications are reviewed and approved, greatly improving the time it takes to get new generating capacity online.