Automation in Interconnection Studies

The interconnection backlog is measured in years, not months. Record-breaking queue sizes, overlapping study cycles, and stalled clusters are delaying the generation and load resources the grid needs to stay ahead of demand. 

In February 2026, Enverus convened a panel of industry leaders to assess the real-world impact and limits of interconnection study automation. Their takeaways: 

• Automation can compress study timelines to eliminate cycle overlap, giving developers Phase 1 results they can make capital decisions against.
• Validated, transparent automation converts an expensive guessing game into a defensible business decision.
• Automation still requires human judgment: non-standard topologies, local protection criteria, and application intake quality screening remain areas where engineering expertise is essential.

This white paper covers what’s working, what’s not, and where the industry sees automation heading next, from real-time submission feedback to transmission planning. Download now to access leading insights from industry experts.