Alternative Power Plays The U.S. Power Grid is Struggling – What Needs to Change Now
Mar 13, 2025
Rob Gramlich, President of Grid Strategies and expert in transmission planning, discusses the staggering surge in U.S. electric grid demand driven by tech and manufacturing. He highlights regions facing the most strain and identifies critical bottlenecks in infrastructure. The conversation delves into the urgent changes needed from policymakers and utilities to manage this growth responsibly, ensuring grid reliability and preventing soaring costs, particularly with the rising influence of data centers. His insights into forecasting demand and navigating complex power markets are both eye-opening and essential.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Demand Projection
- Grid Strategies noticed the demand surge by staying close to hyperscalers.
- Direct interaction with energy procurement teams revealed rapidly increasing needs.
Massive Load Growth
- The U.S. needs about 130 GW of new generation in 5 years.
- This translates to a ~3% annual load growth, unseen since the 1980s.
Load Growth Drivers
- Load growth concentrates where power and fiber networks converge.
- Beyond data centers, manufacturing and even oil/gas drilling contribute.