Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Daniel Balakov(opens in a new window)/ Getty Images
Apps
Biotech & Health
Climate
Image Credits:Daniel Balakov(opens in a new window)/ Getty Images
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
Enterprise
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
Gadgets
Gaming
Government & Policy
Hardware
layoff
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
seclusion
Robotics
surety
societal
Space
Startups
TikTok
conveyance
Venture
More from TechCrunch
event
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
picture
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
Contact Us
There has been a lot of angst among tech fellowship and policymakers about alooming power shortageon the grid due in no small part to the rise in AI . But what ’s less known is that there are terawatts of new capacity waiting to be approved for connection to the power system , and unknotting the bureaucratism could go a long means to address the problem .
All storage-battery grid operator in the U.S. present the similar reserve , but few are as important as that of PJM , which manages the flow of electricity in the mid - Atlantic states , Ohio , and easterly Kentucky .
Now , Google and PJM are hoping that AI can help speed thing along .
The two organizationsannouncedThursday a partnership , along with Alphabet “ moonshot ” Tapestry , to develop AI models to streamline key parts of the software program process on both sides of the dealing . They ’ll get assistance with data verification and defer projects through new , centralized planning tools , which will also help PJM analyze how best to integrate variable exponent sources like renewables .
Because of the surge in compute need from AI , tech troupe have been racing to secure generating capacity . Amazon , Google , Meta , andMicrosofthave all either induct in or pledged to buy significant amounts of atomic power . But they ’ve also beensteadily snatch up up solar powerin heavy amount .
The interconnection job is wonky , to be certain , but work out it could assuage concern aboutunderpowered data center . across the nation , 2.6 terawatts of generating capacity are waiting for favorable reception , accordingto the Lawrence Berkeley Lab . That ’s doubly what every U.S. business leader plant unite is capable of father today .
PJM ’s queue is by far the recollective . There are over 3,000 active postulation to connect 286.7 gigawatts of capacity in the region , accordingto the Berkeley Lab . Overwhelmed , the governance lay off accept covering for raw connections in 2022 and wo n’t review new request untilmid-2026 .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Renewables have been penalized the most by the sclerosed process .
Nationwide , over 1 terawatt each of solar andstorageare wait for permit to transport electrons to the grid . Even the waiting line in the PJM region , which is n’t typically considered a hotbed of renewable development , is dominated by the two clean power source : Just 2.4 % of applicants are natural gas power plants .
The PJM - contend grid has historically been dominated by fossil fuels . Over the last decade or so , natural accelerator pedal - fired office plants have fire coal as fracking drove gas monetary value down . The storage-battery grid operator also recently develop anew commendation processthat critic reason take into account for fossil fuel plants to unfairly skip the line onwards of renewable project .
In unveiling the partnership with Google , PJM Executive Vice President Aftab Khan enunciate that the organization ’s grid will remain “ fuel agnostic,”accordingto E&E News . Meanwhile , Google spokesperson Amanda Peterson Corio maintained that its was “ attached to our goals to decarbonize our electrical energy step . ”
