The Department of Energy has sent a call to action to the electricity industry, urging them to make use of existing commercial technology in order to better manage the transition towards clean energy and meet increasing demand from data centers. This is outlined in a report titled “Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Innovative Grid Deployment,” which highlights the benefits of advanced technologies that can improve transmission line capacity, replace outdated power cables with more efficient wires, and give grid operators greater visibility and control over power flows.
According to the report by DOE, the deployment of these technologies could potentially increase grid capacity by 20 to 100 gigawatts during peak periods. This increase in capacity is crucial as the US economy and technology companies continue to require more power, particularly with the rising demand from data centers. President Joe Biden’s industrial and climate policies are also expected to drive significant expansion in power demand into the 2030s, particularly with the growing adoption of electric vehicles and factories for microchips, batteries, and clean energy sources connecting to the grid.
In 2023, nearly $90 billion was invested in transmission and distribution infrastructure, but only $6 billion was allocated towards advanced grid solutions according to DOE’s findings. This highlights the urgent need for greater investment and implementation of advanced technologies in order to improve grid performance and meet future power demands.
