Hitachi and SPP build AI tools to help connect new generators faster

SPP and Hitachi are using AI to cut grid connection delays and clear a growing backlog of power projects.

Electricity demand in the US is climbing every year, driven by the growth of data centers, manufacturing, and electric vehicles. But the grid isn't adding new power sources fast enough to keep up. A major bottleneck is the long process required to connect new generators.

Hitachi and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) are working together to try to speed that up. Their project uses AI tools to cut down the time it takes to run interconnection studies—technical reviews needed before a new generator can go online. The goal is to reduce analysis time by up to 80%.

SPP manages the power grid across 14 states. It estimates that if current trends continue, its reserve power capacity could drop from 24% in 2020 to just 5% in 2029. Much of that pressure comes from data centers. In 2023, they used about 4.4% of US electricity. By 2028, that figure may reach 12%.

Right now, the US generates 1.28 terawatts of electricity, but more than double that amount is stuck in a queue. New sources can't connect without going through time-consuming studies. These checks are meant to prevent any disruption to grid stability or performance, but the backlog keeps growing.

To address this, Hitachi is combining several of its technologies. These include design support from Method, software engineering from GlobalLogic, energy modeling tools from Hitachi Energy, and an AI algorithm from Hitachi's research division. The system runs on Hitachi iQ, a data platform that uses NVIDIA hardware and AI software.

SPP will oversee how these tools come together. It's responsible for making sure the system works within industry rules and supports both operational needs and customer expectations.

"The demand for power has increased quickly, and the systems we use weren't built for this pace," said Lanny Nickell, President and CEO of SPP. "We have many power producers ready to connect, but the old process is slowing everything down. We need better tools to move faster."

The system is built to help in several ways. AI will be used to automate some of the steps in the study process, run faster simulations, and flag potential issues before they cause delays. Areas of focus include process automation, prediction models, and communications across systems.

SPP is also updating how it handles transmission planning more broadly. The AI project is part of a larger push to rethink how future capacity is added and managed.

"This project is about making better decisions with better data," said Frank Antonysamy, Chief Growth Officer at Hitachi Digital. "We need real-time visibility to understand what happens when new generators are added."

Marc Spieler, from NVIDIA, said the grid can't meet demand without fixing the delays in interconnection. "Faster studies are essential to get critical infrastructure online."

The first phase of the project should be completed by winter 2025/26. Early goals include improving how data is handled, speeding up systems, and adding AI-driven simulation tools.