- AI Software Claims Hidden Grid Capacity Could Ease Growing US Electricity Shortages
- GridCARE says simulations reveal unused transmission capacity in existing electrical infrastructure
- Existing transmission lines may have much more capacity than previously estimated
A new software platform claims it can unlock approximately 300 gigawatts of hidden electrical transmission capacity in the existing U.S. power grid within three to five years.
The technology, developed by GridCARE and led by founder and CEO Amit Narayan, is based on advanced network 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.
Unlock hidden ability
The US power grid has traditionally been planned around conservative assumptions that account for multiple simultaneous equipment failures at once.
This approach has left substantial portions of the transmission grid underutilized for most of the calendar year, while electricity demand has returned to strong growth and grid upgrades may struggle to keep pace before 2030.
Bank of America data indicates the country could face a 100 GW energy deficit over the next four years.
Analysts project that at least 230 GW of new energy demand will emerge between 2026 and 2030 alone.
Over the same period, utilities are expected to add just 93 GW of new supply capacity.
That gap between projected demand and available supply has intensified pressure on operators seeking faster solutions.
However, GridCARE claims it could reduce years of wait times for clean energy interconnection in multiple regions.
Running billions of simulations
The platform reportedly runs billions of simulations to identify where unused transmission capacity remains hidden from conventional planning tools.
By modeling actual grid behavior rather than worst-case scenarios, utilities get a more accurate picture of available margin.
This method allows operators to make better use of the infrastructure that already exists on the network.
The technology was recently discussed on the “Energy Empire” podcast, hosted by Jigar Shah, an American businessman 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 systematically overlooked for years.
He says bringing back even a fraction of that capacity could significantly ease the constraints facing data center developers and clean energy projects awaiting grid connection.
The claims come as pressure mounts on network operators to adapt to growing demand for AI infrastructure and electrification trends across the country.
However, no independent testing or verification has confirmed the software’s claims about the extent of its capabilities.
Historically, utilities have been cautious to deviate from conservative planning standards that prioritize reliability during equipment failures.
Still, the magnitude of the projected shortfall, combined with slow transmission development schedules, may push operators toward faster, software-based alternatives sooner than expected.
Via PV Magazine
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