Google X’s Tapestry project—best known for its “Google Maps for electrons” work on transmission grids—is now moving into distribution, where most of the grid’s complexity actually lives. (Latitude Media)
Its first big test is in New Zealand with Vector, the country’s largest distribution utility. Using Tapestry’s AI tools (and combining drone, satellite, and field images into one dashboard), Vector cut inspection times from 45 minutes per asset to about five.
The bigger play: Connect transmission and distribution into a single AI-driven system that can help utilities keep pace with surging electrification and data center demand.