GridCARE Tool Has Unlocked New Power Capacity

The new index identifies existing grid capacity that could help operators avoid costly infrastructure upgrades.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Utilities

GridCARE Tool Has Unlocked New Power Capacity

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GridCARE has launched the Power Acceleration Index, a tool designed to measure and identify electrical grid capacity beyond existing utility projections. This effort aims to address rising demand and utility rate increases by surfacing latent network capacity.

Why it matters

The index offers a way to bypass capital-intensive infrastructure projects by utilizing existing grid assets. This development provides a potential alternative to the rising costs currently passed to businesses through utility rate filings.

GridCARE has qualified 5 GW of capacity across six U.S. utility partners, with a total potential of 120 GW nationwide. Meanwhile, U.S. utilities requested $23.1 billion in rate increases during the first three quarters of 2026, including $4.5 billion in Q3 alone.

The players

GridCARE

An energy technology company providing physics-based AI solutions to assess and unlock latent electrical grid capacity.

PGE

A regional utility provider that secured 400 MW of additional data center capacity in Hillsboro, Oregon, using the new index.

National Grid

A multinational electricity and gas utility company that identified 650 MW of available grid capacity in New York.

SCE

A subsidiary of Edison International providing electricity to Southern California that qualified 20 MW of additional grid capacity.

The details

The Power Acceleration Index utilizes physics-based AI to analyze utility network site data, identifying load-serving capacity that current models miss. By maximizing the utility of existing infrastructure, the system aims to unlock $350 billion in grid value without the need for traditional, costly upgrades. Recent implementations include 400 MW identified for PGE in Hillsboro, 650 MW for National Grid in New York, and 20 MW for SCE in California.

First three quarters of 2026: Utilities requested $23.1 billion in rate increases.
Q3 2026: Utilities filed $4.5 billion in rate increase requests.
October 2026: GridCARE unveiled the Power Acceleration Index.
2026: At least 80 MW of capacity made available in Hillsboro, Oregon.
2029: Remaining data center capacity in Hillsboro scheduled to be energized.

Market Landscape

The emergence of the Power Acceleration Index comes as U.S. utilities have requested a record $23.1 billion in rate increases during 2026. This trend marks a shift toward seeking efficiency in existing networks to avoid the capital intensity required by prior multi-billion dollar grid expansion cycles.

Operators facing high utility costs should monitor whether their local utility provider adopts AI-driven capacity analysis. If your facility requires significant load expansion, ask your account manager if they are identifying latent capacity via these new assessment tools to avoid infrastructure surcharges.

The takeaway

Unlockable capacity represents a major strategic lever for businesses planning large-scale energy expansions. Monitor your utility provider's Q4 filings to see if they cite AI-based capacity assessments as a means to mitigate upcoming rate hikes.