The US electrical grid is straining to keep up with demand. First of all, our warming climate means that more electricity is needed to keep people cool. Last summer – the hottest on record – energy demand in the United States saw an unprecedented peak around the clock. Despite producing more renewable energy, our current grid, built largely in the 1960s and 1970s, was not built to meet those needs. The increasing use of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies, which require power-hungry data centers, has only increased the burden on the network.
But on Monday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved new rules to modernize the grid to accommodate increased demand. The policy includes approval for the construction of new transmission lines and modification of existing transportation facilities.
MIT Technology Review climate reporter Casey Cronhart joins IRA to talk about this and other science stories of the week, including how the latest ocean heatwave will affect life in the ocean, the upcoming hurricane season, and a new self-collection test for cancer I dont know. How a small beetle uses sound imitation to avoid being eaten by bats.
