Residents of the U.K. and Germany are feeling the pinch as lack of snow in Scandinavia means less electricity generated from hydropower. The lack of snow mirrors snow drought in California, which scie...

The world’s cheapest power source is scaling at warp speed, pushing coal, gas and nuclear aside.

A new sodium-ion battery offers a cheaper and safer alternative to conventional lithium-ion systems, scientists say, paving the way for more sustainable EVs.

Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Co. have filed a lawsuit against four Connecticut state agencies in U.S. District Court. The legal action challenges efforts to discontinue financial incentives the utilities receive related to transmission charges. These incentives, awarded for voluntarily connecting transmission systems to the regional grid, are now under scrutiny by state officials

Could Reusing EV Batteries Solve our Energy Storage Woes?

A growing debate is unfolding across the US as states grapple with the impact of booming data centers on regional energy grids, sparking concerns over rising electricity bills and potential climate implications. The proliferation of data centers in states like Virginia is placing a significant strain on shared power grids, driving up costs for taxpayers and contributing to systemic pressure on infrastructure, raising questions about the delicate balance between economic development and resource conservation, with officials and candidates nationwide weighing the need for incentives and regulation to mitigate these effects.

### Navigating the Future: Key Insights from ERCOT, MISO, and PJM Recent reports highlight critical developments and challenges facing three major electricity grid operators: ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator), and PJM (Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection). This analysis breaks down the key issues and shared trends emerging from these distinct regions. ERCOT's primary focus is on strengthening its transmission infrastructure to accommodate rising electricity demand. A significant undertaking is the "Stack Upgrades" project, designed to boost transmission capacity and enhance overall grid reliability. However, concerns persist regarding the health of the grid, potentially leading to delays in project implementation. The overarching goal is a robust transmission network capable of supporting future growth. MISO is witnessing substantial expansion in solar generation, with projections indicating 26 GW of new utility-scale projects and potential for even greater capacity by 2050. This rapid integration of solar power introduces complexities, including managing the inherent intermittency of solar resources and considering the impact of distributed (behind-the-meter) solar installations on peak demand. Market hubs may also experience price volatility influenced by the rise of solar generation. PJM is grappling with a dramatic increase in electricity demand, largely attributed to the proliferation of data centers. Forecasts now predict a peak demand of 229 GW by 2045, significantly exceeding earlier estimates. Transmission bottlenecks represent a major impediment, as demonstrated by American Electric Power's (AEP) request for 18 GW of load adjustment by 2035. To address this surge, PJM has initiated the Reliability Resource Initiative (RRI), selecting 51 projects slated to add nearly 10 GW of generation capacity by 2031, largely fueled by natural gas. Accurate load timing, considering the multi-year ramp-up of data center operations, is crucial for effective demand forecasting. Despite their regional differences, ERCOT, MISO, and PJM share several overarching themes. All three grids are experiencing a surge in electricity demand, propelled by data centers and economic growth. Transmission capacity remains a universal constraint, necessitating urgent upgrades to maintain grid reliability. The integration of renewable energy, particularly solar, presents ongoing challenges for grid operators. Finally, the inherent uncertainties surrounding load forecasts, particularly driven by data center deployment and the adoption of renewables, underscore the need for adaptable planning strategies.

Rising temperatures can affect our power supply, including nuclear and natural-gas power plants.

The Stargate Project aims to build huge data centres for AI development – but the details remain murky, and it is still unclear exactly how this might impact the energy future of the US