Southwest Power Pool has partnered with Hitachi and NVIDIA to develop an artificial intelligence-based solution aimed at reducing power grid interconnection delays in the central United States.
The collaboration seeks to cut the time required for generator interconnection studies by 80 percent using AI and high-performance computing, supporting faster and more accurate energy planning decisions. The new solution integrates technologies across the Hitachi group, including Hitachi Vantara's iQ platform and will run on NVIDIA's accelerated computing and AI software stack.
Grid challenges
The project addresses a significant challenge for SPP, which operates the grid across 14 US states. As demand for electricity rises—driven by expanding data centres, manufacturing, and electrification—existing infrastructure has struggled to keep pace, creating a backlog of grid interconnection requests.
The US generates 1.28 terawatts of power, yet more than twice that power sits in a queue, unable to be integrated effectively due to the time-intensive studies required. SPP aims to streamline this process by leveraging AI-powered simulations and predictive analytics.
"Our nation's demand for electricity has risen sharply in recent years following a long period of slow growth. Our industry has struggled to keep up with this sudden and significant shift," said SPP President and CEO Lanny Nickell. "There are a lot of would-be power producers out there waiting to connect to the grid, but yesterday's systems and technology haven't been sufficient to enable us to bring incremental capacity online fast enough. It's time to fix that, and SPP is proud to work with Hitachi and NVIDIA, two AI industry leaders who have the means to help realize a vision of a better energy future for our nation."
Integrated approach
Hitachi is providing its AI-based power simulation algorithm, iQ-accelerated calculations, and predictive analytics, as well as design and engineering services, for the project. Hitachi Vantara's data storage and compute infrastructure, built on NVIDIA's technology, will support the new AI-driven processes.
SPP will lead the integration of these technical solutions and ensure that results align with operational and regulatory needs in the electricity sector. The efforts are expected to improve reliability, response capabilities, and capacity management across the central US grid.
"This initiative is about reimagining the electricity production and distribution process through the lens of modern AI technology," said Frank Antonysamy, Chief Growth Officer, Hitachi Digital. "Real-time data access is needed to create truly realistic scenarios caused by new generator introductions. The AI solution we're all developing will provide that data, among other advantages. SPP can then make significantly quicker, better-informed decisions that will increase overall ROI while better serving the nation's population with accessible power. We're proud to be a part of this important three-way collaboration addressing such a crucial problem."
"Interconnection process acceleration is critical to meet the unprecedented demand on our grid," said Marc Spieler, Senior Managing Director of the Global Energy Industry at NVIDIA. "Using advanced NVIDIA accelerated computing and AI, Hitachi and SPP are helping speed interconnection studies to bring essential infrastructure online faster."
Southeast Asia context
The challenges addressed in this US-based project have relevance in Southeast Asia, where countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines also face grid bottlenecks while expanding renewable energy and data infrastructure. Utilities in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore are under pressure to modernise energy systems to support industrial growth, electric vehicle adoption, and increased demand from data centres.
The project's first phase, set for completion by winter 2025/26, includes initial systems acceleration, optimisation of data management processes, and the introduction of AI-augmented simulation modelling. Subsequent goals will address further integration of alternative energy sources and resolving power transmission constraints.
