Author: Graham Foster

Texas is on track to cut power to data centers during grid emergencies, highlighting how strained the state’s electrical infrastructure has become. Over the Fourth of July, devastating floods hit central Texas, leading to major outages and infrastructure damage. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has experienced multiple spikes in energy prices and conservation alerts—not due to a lack of electricity, but because power couldn’t be effectively distributed. This problem is escalating nationwide. Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy warned that the risk of blackouts could rise 100-fold by 2030. These issues reveal a much deeper vulnerability: the current…

Centrica, the company behind British Gas, is in exclusive discussions to acquire the UK’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal from National Grid for about £1.5 billion. This strategic move is part of National Grid’s plan to concentrate on its core electricity networks. Centrica has partnered with Energy Capital Partners, a notable investor in renewable energy, to pursue this deal. The announcement could be coming soon, signalling a significant shift in control of a key energy asset in the UK. The Isle of Grain gas import terminal, located in the Thames estuary in Kent, has the capacity to process…

Portland General Electric (PGE) recently announced the activation of three new battery projects that together provide a total of 475 MW/1.9 GWh of energy storage. This initiative aims to enhance reliability and stabilize electricity prices in the metropolitan area. With these projects, PGE has increased its total battery storage capacity to 492 MW, marking a significant boost in their energy resources. Darrington Outama, PGE’s senior director of energy supply, highlighted the importance of these energy storage systems. He stated that they help PGE create a more adaptable and dependable energy generation mix. These batteries not only supply power during peak…

European utility companies are facing different challenges regarding their capital increases. For instance, firms like Iberdrola have been raising funds to invest in promising growth projects. In contrast, Ørsted from Denmark is seeking to gather $9.4 billion—roughly two-thirds of its market value—after a significant drop in its share price. Despite the daunting nature of this financial move, Ørsted has few choices left but to proceed. The company initially intended to sell part of its Sunrise Wind project off the coast of New York to lessen its financial burden and secure funds for other initiatives. However, political hurdles have made this…

Last week, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum took significant steps to restrict renewable energy development on federal land. This includes revoking all offshore “wind energy areas” on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf and prioritizing energy projects based on their potential capacity. In an order dated July 29, Burgum accused the Biden administration of pursuing “destructive and ideological policies.” The order instructs the Interior Department to investigate any preferential treatment given to wind and solar projects compared to traditional energy sources and to remove such biases from regulations and practices. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management confirmed that the rescission…

In many communities across the nation, numerous families continue to struggle with high energy bills. These difficulties are often made worse by complicated program requirements, a lack of outreach, and insufficient awareness of available assistance programs. Unfortunately, many of these households are seen as “hard to reach,” not because they don’t care, but because outdated systems leave them underserved. To tackle these issues, we need to approach energy engagement with a focus on equity, using data and local relevance as guides. It’s time to rethink how we help individuals save on energy costs. More Than Just a Storefront Modern energy…

In November 2018, a small suspension hook on a transmission line in California broke, leading to a devastating wildfire. This incident, blamed on inadequate inspections, resulted in 85 fatalities and massive financial losses for the energy company involved. Unfortunately, such equipment failures are increasingly common as our infrastructure ages. Even though inspections are conducted regularly, monitoring vast stretches of power lines presents a significant challenge. Typically, crews use helicopters, equipped with cameras and sensors, to inspect for issues. However, there’s a pressing need for better methods to prevent disasters like this in the future. The solution may come in the…

Donald Trump’s recent trade deal with Japan has attracted attention, particularly due to its inclusion of a joint venture for natural gas in Alaska. Alongside reduced tariffs and investments, this venture aims to bring to life a long-discussed liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, which would feature an extensive 800-mile pipeline. Analysts suggest that the total cost could exceed $60 billion. The U.S. government argues that this pipeline would significantly improve gas supply to Pacific allies by linking Alaska’s northern gas fields to the southern port of Nikiski. Washington’s strategy has included persuading Japan and South Korea, two of the world’s…

The growing presence of artificial intelligence in society is prompting a call for the same careful planning and operational strategies that were applied to integrating distributed energy resources into the grid. Just as technologies like solar panels and batteries have enhanced grid reliability, AI data centers are now pushing for their role as contributors rather than just consumers of energy. AI data centers are starting to form their own demand patterns, which can significantly impact the grid and highlight the importance of energy efficiency. These facilities are not just seeking energy; they want to engage in managing grid stress. With…

Dive Brief: Nvidia has unveiled that some of its rack-scale systems will now feature a new power supply unit designed to manage energy more efficiently, claiming it could cut peak grid demand by up to 30%. The company announced this in a blog post, stating that this new power supply, along with necessary hardware and software, will be part of the new GB300 NVL72 platform and GB200 NVL72 systems. Nvidia did not share specific release dates or further details. Santiago Grijalva, a professor at Georgia Tech, described the advancement as notable, considering Nvidia’s significant influence in the industry. However, he…