USA: The United States power grid is facing growing strain as ageing infrastructure struggles to keep pace with rapid electricity demand growth driven by AI data centres, electrification and industrial expansion.
Experts from the energy, engineering and policy sectors say the country now faces the challenge of modernising a system where much of the infrastructure is between 40 and 70 years old. At the same time, severe weather events and rising demand are increasing concerns over grid reliability and operating reserves.
Eric Hittinger, department chair and professor of public policy at Rochester Institute of Technology, said decades of stable electricity demand allowed utilities to postpone major upgrades. According to Hittinger, the situation has now changed as new demand emerges from sectors such as AI and electrified transport. He noted that upgrades will be required across generation, substations, transmission networks, energy storage and digital control systems, while one of the key questions remains who will pay for the modernisation effort.
Alexandra Klass, professor of law at Michigan Law and former deputy general counsel at the US Department of Energy, stressed that grid modernisation must include both physical infrastructure and governance reform. She highlighted the need for new long-distance transmission lines, greater deployment of grid-enhancing technologies and investment in distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar, batteries and microgrids. Klass also pointed to regulatory and permitting challenges as major barriers.
Miroslav M. Begovic, professor of electrical engineering at Texas A&M University and former president of the IEEE Power and Energy Society, warned that modernisation must go beyond generation expansion. He emphasised the importance of stronger transmission structures, dynamic line ratings, advanced protection systems, sensors and weather-resilient infrastructure. Begovic also noted that AI data centres could account for up to 9 % of US electricity demand by 2030.
Rob Gramlich, president of Grid Strategies LLC, said transmission expansion and proactive planning are becoming increasingly urgent. He added that grid-enhancing technologies and high-performance conductors could help utilities increase capacity while reducing upgrade timelines and permitting challenges.
Industry experts increasingly agree that the future US grid must become larger, more digital, more flexible and more resilient to support growing electricity demand and changing operating conditions.
Source: Gizmodo
