Google and CTC Global Partner to Accelerate U.S. Grid Expansion with Advanced Conductors
In a bold move aimed at addressing the pressing need for a more robust and efficient energy infrastructure in the United States, Google has partnered with CTC Global Corporation to expedite the deployment of advanced transmission technologies that can significantly enhance the country’s electric grid. This strategic collaboration focuses on expanding grid capacity using CTC Global’s high-capacity ACCC® (Aluminum Conductor Composite Core) conductors—an innovation in transmission lines that can double capacity in a fraction of the time required to build new lines.
As the U.S. experiences increasing electricity demand driven by rapid digitization, data center growth, electrification of industries, and clean energy transitions, upgrading existing transmission infrastructure has become not just a goal—but a necessity. New grid construction typically requires up to a decade to complete due to regulatory, environmental, and logistical hurdles. By contrast, deploying CTC Global’s advanced conductors on existing transmission corridors offers a faster, cost-effective alternative to expand capacity and reliability without lengthy delays.
A Game-Changing Collaboration for America’s Energy Future
The collaboration between Google and CTC Global is structured to deliver scalable, high-impact upgrades to critical transmission lines nationwide. Through a joint Request for Information (RFI) issued to state agencies, utilities, and transmission developers, the partnership aims to identify priority projects where deploying advanced conductors will produce the most immediate benefits. This includes regions where electricity demand is growing due to population increases, data center development, or clean energy integration.
“This partnership is a powerful example of what happens when technology and energy innovation intersect to solve large-scale infrastructure challenges,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s Global Head of Data Center Energy. “By accelerating the deployment of next-generation conductors, we are not only improving the resiliency of the power grid but also ensuring that Google’s expanding footprint—especially in data-intensive regions—remains aligned with our clean energy commitments and sustainability goals.”
CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor represents a proven and mature technology already in service on more than 1,200 projects across 60 countries. The conductor uses a carbon fiber composite core that is stronger and lighter than traditional steel-core conductors, enabling increased power flow with less thermal sag, improved efficiency, and enhanced durability under extreme weather conditions. These attributes make the ACCC® Conductor an ideal candidate for transmission line upgrades that require maximum performance with minimal environmental and regulatory disruption.
Benefits of the Initiative
Google and CTC Global’s initiative is centered around a forward-thinking approach to grid development—focusing on upgrading rather than rebuilding. By leveraging existing rights-of-way and infrastructure, utilities can avoid lengthy permitting processes and land-use conflicts, speeding up the timeline for critical energy infrastructure improvements.
Key goals of the initiative include:
- Doubling transmission capacity in months, not years.
- Enhancing grid reliability and performance through modernized infrastructure.
- Reducing energy costs for consumers and businesses.
- Supporting regional economic growth, especially in areas with energy-intensive industries or digital infrastructure.
- Strengthening domestic supply chains, as the ACCC® Conductor is manufactured in the U.S. using American-sourced components.
Additionally, the initiative seeks to support the clean energy transition by enabling greater interconnection and transfer of renewable power from remote regions to population centers—an ongoing challenge for utilities attempting to meet clean energy targets.
How the Initiative Works: New Tools for Stakeholders
To catalyze deployment, the collaboration will provide stakeholders—particularly utilities and transmission developers—with a set of targeted resources and incentives, including:
- Cost Assistance: Select projects will receive financial support to subsidize the deployment of CTC Global’s high-capacity conductors. This funding will help alleviate upfront capital costs that often stall grid modernization efforts.
- Workforce Development: Participating utilities will be eligible for specialized training programs to equip workers with the skills necessary to install and maintain advanced conductor systems.
- Technical Validation: Google and CTC Global will support technical analyses and project feasibility studies to demonstrate how the ACCC® technology can be effectively integrated into specific grid environments and deliver measurable benefits.
Stakeholders interested in participating in the initiative are invited to submit project proposals through the newly issued Request for Information (RFI), which remains open until July 14, 2025. A formal Request for Proposals (RFP) will follow shortly afterward to select implementation partners.
Priority will be given to projects in regions where Google operates or has announced new data centers—locations where growing energy needs demand a rapid and sustainable response. These areas often overlap with wholesale electricity markets, allowing broader grid-wide benefits from increased capacity.
Industry Leaders Speak on the Partnership
The announcement has drawn positive responses from both industry insiders and policymakers who view the partnership as a critical step toward modernizing America’s grid infrastructure.
CTC Global CEO J.D. Sitton emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration:
“This groundbreaking partnership with Google marks a positive turning point to lower electricity costs, generate economic growth, and advance U.S. energy dominance. Our solution uniquely delivers significant electric grid capacity with unparalleled speed. This coordinated effort ensures the U.S. invests in cost-effective and scalable technologies that support not just today’s demands, but also the AI-driven digital future.”
Indeed, the rising demand from energy-intensive computing applications—including artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and cloud services—is putting unprecedented strain on existing electrical systems. Google’s partnership with CTC Global is seen as a proactive effort to ensure that digital infrastructure development is sustainable, resilient, and aligned with the nation’s clean energy ambitions.
Why It Matters: A National Energy Imperative
As America races to decarbonize its energy system and electrify its economy, the lack of sufficient transmission capacity has emerged as a bottleneck to progress. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, transmission capacity must expand by 60% by 2030 and may need to triple by 2050 to meet clean energy goals. Traditional grid expansion methods are too slow to meet this timeline.
Advanced conductor retrofitting—like that offered by CTC Global—represents one of the most promising near-term strategies for increasing grid capacity without the lengthy delays associated with new line construction. It also provides a lower-cost option that delivers both immediate and long-term value to utilities and customers.
In the context of recent climate-related grid stress events—including extreme heatwaves, cold snaps, and wildfire threats—modernizing the grid is not just about growth; it is a matter of public safety and national resilience.
