The Biden-Harris Administration, through the US Department of Energy (DOE), has announced $30 million in funding for the Artificial Intelligence for Interconnection (AI4IX) programme.
This initiative, supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to enhance the integration of new energy projects into the power grid by leveraging advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
The AI4IX programme seeks to streamline the interconnection application process, reduce delays, and expedite the commissioning of renewable energy projects. AI algorithms will be used to review applications, identify errors in documentation—such as site control records—and notify applicants for swift corrections.
The programme will foster collaborations between software developers, grid operators (including regional transmission operators and power marketing administrations), and energy project developers to modernise interconnection procedures.
ConnectWerx, a DOE platform, will manage technical assistance partnerships under the AI4IX programme through an intermediary agreement with the DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions.
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted the programme’s potential: “Artificial intelligence is an energy solution capable of helping clear an interconnection backlog that will free up new energy sources to ensure consumers have power when and where they need it.”