Aug 28, 2026 · 37 min · 11 segments
U.S. electricity demand is accelerating — driven by AI, hyperscale data centers, industrial growth, transportation electrification and changing consumer needs. But can the grid expand fast enough to…
Bridget BartolGuest
Nikki ChandlerHost
Yeah, I mean, honestly, it's coming down to more grid planning and figuring out how to move existing electrons where they need to go.
So it's this mix of how do we make the most of the existing system while also building out for this new demand that we're seeing.
And it's new demand not just for data centers, which is a key driver over the next five years, but it's also residential, industrial demand.
We're seeing more consumer options that are requiring more electricity, and we want to actually meet people where they are in terms of where the electricity can be generated and stored for when it's needed the most, or figuring out how a utility can work with its customers to make it through those really you know, strategic peak demands, especially, you know, I'm here in the DMV area, and we're experiencing our first, you know, 90-plus degree of May.
And so that's going to be, you know, a key driver of when we can use some of these new solutions.
And I think that there's been a lot of new creative ways for transmission operators to also think about what they can do to move more electrons across the system.
We see in some regions that they already have operators that are strategically coordinating for new development or how to upgrade their system.
And I think that's a good thing as we see new players in the game on needing electricity and the way that they need electricity.
And I, you know, and I really have an optimistic view, too, as far as our industry and the creative things that they do to solve problems.
So, yeah, I think it's just a great industry and the way they share with one another to to help advance these solutions.
Coming from the energy department, the collaboration in this industry is top notch and the care for wanting to deliver reliability in a safe way and create new technologies.
It really is a constantly evolving industry with new solutions that are coming up every day from both an efficiency perspective as well as new technologies.
Yeah, I mean, honestly, it's coming down to more grid planning and figuring out how to move existing electrons where they need to go.
So it's this mix of how do we make the most of the existing system while also building out for this new demand that we're seeing.
And it's new demand not just for data centers, which is a key driver over the next five years, but it's also residential, industrial demand.
We're seeing more consumer options that are requiring more electricity, and we want to actually meet people where they are in terms of where the electricity can be generated and stored for when it's needed the most, or figuring out how a utility can work with its customers to make it through those really you know, strategic peak demands, especially, you know, I'm here in the DMV area, and we're experiencing our first, you know, 90-plus degree of May.
And so that's going to be, you know, a key driver of when we can use some of these new solutions.
And I think that there's been a lot of new creative ways for transmission operators to also think about what they can do to move more electrons across the system.
We see in some regions that they already have operators that are strategically coordinating for new development or how to upgrade their system.
And I think that's a good thing as we see new players in the game on needing electricity and the way that they need electricity.
And I, you know, and I really have an optimistic view, too, as far as our industry and the creative things that they do to solve problems.
So, yeah, I think it's just a great industry and the way they share with one another to to help advance these solutions.
Coming from the energy department, the collaboration in this industry is top notch and the care for wanting to deliver reliability in a safe way and create new technologies.
It really is a constantly evolving industry with new solutions that are coming up every day from both an efficiency perspective as well as new technologies.
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