Google has launched a significant initiative in partnership with CTC Global Corporation to accelerate the expansion and modernisation of the U.S. power grid through the deployment of advanced transmission technology. The collaboration focuses on using CTC Global’s domestically manufactured ACCC® Conductors, which have been proven to substantially increase transmission line capacity and reliability in a fraction of the time it takes to build new infrastructure.
Traditional construction of new transmission lines can take several years, sometimes up to a decade, due to regulatory, permitting, and construction complexities. In contrast, upgrading existing lines with ACCC® Conductors can effectively double their capacity within months. This rapid enhancement is pivotal in addressing the urgent rise in electricity demand, driven largely by the growth of AI-powered data centres and renewable energy integration.
To identify high-impact projects that would benefit most from this technology, Google and CTC Global have issued a Request for Information (RFI) to states, utilities, and transmission developers. The RFI aims to prioritise upgrades in regions critical to Google’s data centre operations and their wholesale power markets, with responses due by mid-July 2025. Following this, a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued. Selected projects will receive financial support for conductor installation, technical assistance for feasibility studies, and workforce training to ensure utilities have the skills needed for deployment and maintenance.
Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s Global Head of Data Center Energy, emphasised the importance of expanding transmission capacity as a means to support responsible data centre growth, enhance grid reliability, and reduce energy costs for consumers. She framed the initiative as part of Google’s broader commitment to strengthening the U.S. power infrastructure in a way that supports digital transformation and key economic sectors. J.D. Sitton, CEO of CTC Global, highlighted the partnership as a strategic move to lower electricity costs, boost economic growth, and maintain U.S. leadership in energy innovation—particularly important given the rising electricity consumption linked to AI advancements.
CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor technology is distinguished by a composite core notably stronger than steel, offering improvements in durability, maintenance cost reduction, and resilience against environmental damage such as oxidation and galvanic corrosion. The conductors, manufactured for over two decades in the U.S. with key components sourced domestically, are already installed in more than 65 countries and in over 30 U.S. states. Their application in the U.S. power grid aligns with wider industry moves to upgrade infrastructure to support renewable energy integration and growing demand.
Indeed, utilities across the country are increasingly turning to advanced conductor technology to enable the integration of substantial new solar capacity. Southern California Edison, for example, has installed hundreds of circuit-miles of ACCC® conductors and plans to expand their use significantly by 2030 as part of a multibillion-dollar grid investment programme aimed at accommodating clean energy sources and battery storage.
The strategic timing of this partnership coincides with broader industry trends. National power demand is rising around 3% annually, propelled in large part by data centres and renewable energy projects. The increasing electrification of the economy, coupled with federal incentives and renewable energy targets, underscores the critical need for modernising the transmission grid more efficiently.
Moreover, Google has committed funding beyond technology deployment to workforce development, including a $10 million initiative announced earlier in 2025 to train tens of thousands of electricians. This effort addresses growing concerns over labour shortages amid soaring electricity demand and the rapid proliferation of AI data centres, which are expected to drive electricity consumption to potentially 12% of the U.S. total within a few years.
Examples of the effectiveness of ACCC® Conductors already exist. A reconductoring project in southeastern Texas doubled transmission capacity, mitigating peak demand issues that had previously led to rolling blackouts during severe weather events. This highlights how advanced conductors can provide faster, more resilient solutions compared to traditional infrastructure expansion.
Overall, the Google-CTC Global partnership exemplifies a multifaceted approach to tackling the pressing challenges facing the U.S. power grid—balancing immediate capacity needs, supply chain resilience, workforce readiness, and the integration of clean energy sources. If successful, this effort could serve as a model for rapid, cost-effective grid expansion necessary to support the digital economy and the nation’s clean energy future.
Source: Noah Wire Services
