GridCARE’s AI-enabled grid planning approach accelerates time-to-power in Hillsboro, Oregon
Portland General Electric and GridCARE completed their first joint project to accelerate large load interconnections using flexibility for data centers in Hillsboro, Oregon. This will result in over 80 MW of incremental capacity available for data center load in 2026, part of a total of more than 400 MW that will be energized by 2029. The novel generative AI-forecasting methodology more efficiently uses existing grid infrastructure to meet growing electricity demand in key economic sectors.
Hillsboro is a major data center hub in the U.S., thanks to its access to a diverse energy mix, robust fiber connectivity, and temperate climate. These advantages have attracted a large number of data center projects with billions of dollars to invest. Meeting this demand requires innovative approaches that both accelerate load interconnections and safeguard affordability for all customers.
“Delivering safe, reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost are our core customer commitments,” said Larry Bekkedahl, SVP of Strategy and Advanced Energy Delivery, Portland General Electric. “By working with GridCARE, we’ve successfully implemented an AI-based approach that helps us serve fast-growing data center demand while keeping costs low and maintaining system reliability. This kind of beneficial electrification is a win for our customers, our communities, and Oregon’s economy.”
A Breakthrough Approach
To identify and validate capacity on the existing system, PGE used GridCARE’s patented DeFlex™ methodology, to apply generative AI forecasting, detailed hourly demand modeling, and grid flexibility solutions. By optimizing the use of flexible resources such as batteries and onsite generation, PGE is able to interconnect multiple data center customers years earlier than initially expected.
This breakthrough approach provides multiple benefits:
- Faster interconnection for large loads without waiting for multi-year upgrades,
- More efficient use of existing grid assets, controlling costs for all customers, and
- Increased flexibility that supports both system reliability and energy goals.
“The pace of AI and cloud growth demands new thinking about how we power the digital economy,” said Christian Belady, retired VP of Datacenter Advanced Development at Microsoft. “What PGE and GridCARE have accomplished in Hillsboro is the kind of innovation that not only enables AI and cloud expansion — it unlocks billions in new investment and accelerates returns across the entire North American ecosystem.”
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