A new research paper titled: Enhancing US Power Grid by using AI to Accelerate Permitting, examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can help modernize the U.S. power grid by streamlining one of its biggest bottlenecks: the permitting process. As demand for electricity grows, fueled by AI technologies, data analytics, and efforts to reshore manufacturing, there is increasing pressure to expand energy infrastructure.
Currently, more power is waiting in the interconnection queue than is available on the grid, with average wait times exceeding five years. These delays are largely attributed to complex and time-consuming permitting requirements. In many cases, projects are abandoned altogether due to the high cost of interconnection.
The authors identify six specific opportunities where AI can be applied to accelerate permitting timelines, reduce project cancellations, and support a faster, more efficient transition to meet the nation’s evolving energy demands:
- AI can be used to speed decision-making by regulators through rapidly analyzing environmental regulations and past decisions.
- AI can be used to identify generation sites that are more likely to receive permits.
- AI can be used to create a database of state and federal regulations to bring all requirements in one place.
- AI can be used in conjunction with the database of state regulations to automate the application process and create visibility of permit status for stakeholders.
- AI can be used to automate and accelerate interconnection studies.
- AI can be used to develop a set of model regulations for local jurisdictions to adapt and adopt.