President Joe Biden’s industrial and climate policies are set to drive a significant expansion in power demand into the 2030s. The growing adoption of electric vehicles, the establishment of factories for microchips, batteries, and clean energy sources connecting to the grid will result in an increased demand for power. To meet this demand, the Department of Energy has issued a plea to the electricity industry to leverage existing commercial technology to help manage the chaotic shift towards clean energy and increased power demand from data centers.
The report titled “Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Innovative Grid Deployment” outlines the benefits of advanced technologies that can enhance transmission line capacity, replace aging power cables with more efficient wires, and provide grid operators with greater visibility and control over power flows. According to the report by DOE, the deployment of technology could potentially increase grid capacity by 20 to 100 gigawatts during peak periods. This increase in grid capacity is critical as it becomes increasingly difficult for grid operators to manage power flows due to increasing demand from data centers and other industries.
In 2023, nearly $90 billion was invested in transmission and distribution infrastructure, with only $6 billion allocated towards advanced grid solutions. This highlights the need for greater investment and implementation of advanced technologies to improve grid performance and meet the escalating demand for power in the coming years. With its Pathways report, DOE is urging utilities companies to prioritize investments in innovative solutions that will enable them to adapt their grids quickly and efficiently in response to changing demands on their networks.