The electric grid is becoming more complex, uncertain, and dynamic. GridFM brings together the power-systems and AI communities to develop foundation models that understand grid structure, physics, operating constraints, and real-world context. Through open tools, shared benchmarks, realistic datasets, trusted models, and utility-relevant applications, we are working toward massively faster and more reliable grid planning, operation, resilience, and interconnection workflows.

Foundation models (FMs), pre-trained on large datasets and readily adaptable to a broad set of applications, are revolutionizing the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Powerful FMs for language and weather have recently emerged, proving that such models can be developed for complex systems. The GridFM project pioneers the concept of FMs for the electric power grid to be trained on grid data – as opposed to text data – with the overarching goal to develop the underlying technology to cope with the increasing complexity and uncertainties of a faster growing grid (e.g., due to hyperscalar data centers, crypto mining etc.).

A key benefit is the generalizability of FMs that enables stakeholders to readily fine-tune the model for specific needs and their own proprietary data in a scalable and economical way. These capabilities make the FM approach ideal for unifying data, technology, and industry expertise toward a common goal. Because of that, the GridFM project is supported by a fast-growing community of volunteers from industry, academia, and government from more than 100 organizations with over 250 members. To enable an open collaboration, the GridFM community is partnering with Linux Foundation Energy, which is providing the tools and resources to developing non-differentiating code that can enable all GridFM stakeholders to develop and implement GridFM to transform their business and the power sector at large.

The GridFM community has sub working groups on different topics including technology, community, roadmaps and collaboration. The community meets generally every 4^th Wednesday of the month at 11 am ET. In addition, the GridFM community meets twice a year for an in-person technical deep dive.

The next and 6^th conference will be held in Porto, Portugal on October 29^th and 30^th, 2026.

If you are interested in joining the GridFM community, please sign up here. If you like to un-subscribe from GridFM.org please, do this here.

A high-level presentation of GridFM is available here.