- AI software claims hidden grid capacity could ease US’s growing electricity shortage
- GridCARE says simulations reveal unused transmission capacity across existing power infrastructure
- Existing transmission lines can accommodate far more capacity than previously estimated
A new software platform claims it can unlock about 300 gigawatts of hidden electrical transmission capacity across the existing US power grid within three to five years.
Developed by GridCARE and led by founder and CEO Amit Narayan, the technology relies on advanced grid modeling rather than expensive new infrastructure.
Instead of building additional transmission lines or substations, the platform analyzes how the grid actually works in real time.
Unlocks hidden capacity
The US power grid has traditionally been planned around conservative assumptions that account for multiple simultaneous equipment failures at once.
This approach has left significant parts of the transmission grid underutilized for most of the calendar year, while electricity demand has resumed strong growth and grid upgrades may struggle to keep pace before 2030.
Bank of America data indicates that the country could face a 100 GW power shortfall within the next four years.
Analysts expect at least 230 GW of new power demand to emerge between 2026 and 2030 alone.
During the same period, utilities are expected to add only 93 GW of new utility capacity.
This gap between expected demand and available supply has increased the pressure on operators looking for faster solutions.
However, GridCARE claims it could cut years off wait times for clean energy interconnection across multiple regions.
Running quadrillion simulations
The platform reportedly runs quadrillion simulations to identify where unused transmission capacity remains hidden from conventional planning tools.
By modeling the actual network behavior rather than worst-case scenarios, utility companies get a more accurate picture of the available headroom.
This method allows operators to make better use of the infrastructure that already exists across the network.
The technology was recently discussed on the “Energy Empire” podcast hosted by Jigar Shah, an American entrepreneur and former director of the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office.
According to Narayan, the 300 GW figure represents capacity that traditional planning methods have consistently overlooked for years.
He argues that reclaiming even a fraction of that capacity could meaningfully ease the constraints facing data center developers and clean energy projects awaiting grid connection.
The claims come as pressure mounts on grid operators to meet increasing demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure and electrification trends nationwide.
However, no independent testing or verification has confirmed the software’s claims about the extent of its capabilities.
Utilities have historically been wary of deviating from conservative planning standards that prioritize reliability during equipment failures.
Still, the scale of the projected shortfall — combined with slow transmission rollout timelines — could push operators toward faster, software-based alternatives sooner than expected.
Via PV Magazine
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