New AI platform speeds generator interconnection process

By Staff Report June 9, 2025 5:06 pm IST

Hitachi and SPP are developing an AI solution to speed up generator interconnection, helping meet growing electricity demand across 14 states.

Hitachi, Ltd. and Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) have collaborated to create an AI-powered solution that speeds up generator interconnection (GI) operations by cutting study analysis durations by 80%. This will allow SPP to increase generating capacity across its 14-state region to satisfy increased electricity demand.

Data centres, manufacturing, and electrification are driving growth in power demand in the United States, which is increasing by 2 to 3 percent each year. Data centres are estimated to consume up to 12% of US electricity by 2028. Without intervention, the SPP region’s generating capacity margins might decline from 24% in 2020 to 5% by 2029.

More than twice the US grid’s generated electricity (1.28 terawatts) is currently held up in interconnection backlogs due to time-consuming research and simulation. The collaboration combines Hitachi’s design, software engineering, AI algorithms, and Hitachi iQ AI platform with NVIDIA technology and SPP’s expertise in grid optimisation and regulatory compliance.

Lanny Nickell, SPP President and CEO, stated, “Our nation’s demand for electricity has risen sharply in recent years after a long period of slow growth. Yesterday’s systems and technology have not been sufficient to bring new capacity online quickly enough. It’s time to fix that, and SPP is proud to work with Hitachi and NVIDIA, two AI leaders, to help realise a better energy future for our nation.”

The AI system will improve generator connections and transmission planning by automating processes, performing predictive analyses, and integrating communication.

Frank Antonysamy, Chief Growth Officer at Hitachi Digital, stated, “This initiative is about reimagining electricity production and distribution with modern AI technology. The solution will provide real-time data for more accurate scenarios, allowing SPP to make faster, better-informed decisions that improve ROI and power accessibility for the population.”

Marc Spieler, Senior Managing Director of NVIDIA’s Global Energy Industry, added, “Accelerating the interconnection process is critical to meeting unprecedented grid demand. Using NVIDIA’s AI and computing technology, Hitachi and SPP are helping bring essential infrastructure online faster.”

Phase one goals, which must be accomplished by winter 2025/26, include system acceleration, data management optimisation, and AI-augmented simulation modelling.