Experts on upgrading the grid for a power-hungry future
At a National Academy of Sciences symposium, experts explored how to expand grid capacity with new tech, better policy, and stronger public engagement.
Image for illustrative purposes
USA: U.S. electricity demand is rising rapidly after two decades of stability, driven by electric vehicles, data centers, and clean energy production. At a recent National Academy of Sciences symposium, experts emphasized that business-as-usual approaches would not suffice and it calls for a major expansion of the nation’s power grid.
“We will never get there if we just keep trying to build big overhead lines the same way we always have,” warned Professor M. Granger Morgan of Carnegie Mellon University, who moderated the discussion.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the country will need to more than double its high-voltage transmission capacity in coming decades to support both economic growth and deep decarbonization. But building new lines requires negotiating land rights across states and jurisdictions, a process fraught with delays. “You have lots of different interests and veto points,” said David Victor of UC San Diego. “It’is easy to see why progress is so slow.”
Public opposition is another obstacle. “People often dislike these projects,” explained Wändi Bruine de Bruin of USC. “It is not just NIMBYism – people have valid concerns about property values and local impacts.”
Solutions discussed include “reconductoring” – upgrading existing lines with advanced materials that allow more power to flow without new land use. “This could double the capacity of current corridors,” said Duncan Callaway of UC Berkeley. High-voltage direct current, another option, offers even greater capacity with a smaller land footprint and easier underground installation. “It is an old technology with a new twist,” said Liza Reed of the Niskanen Center.
Speakers also highlighted new construction techniques, such as hydraulic tower extensions and plasma boring for underground lines, as ways to reduce costs and speed up installation.
To overcome public resistance, Victor advocated shifting from opposition to partnership: “We need to move from NIMBY to YIMBY – ‘yes in my backyard’ – by creating real benefits for the communities hosting these projects.”
Ultimately, the symposium made one thing clear: upgrading the grid is a national priority, but success will require innovation, collaboration, and a more people-centered approach.
Source: National Academies
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