The US power grid is facing significant challenges from supply chain bottlenecks and rising equipment costs, threatening reliability as electricity demand surges from electrification, manufacturing and data centers. Transformers, crucial for voltage regulation, are in short supply, with costs four to six times higher than pre-2022 levels and lead times exceeding two years. Other equipment, such as circuit breakers and high-voltage cables, also face long delays.

Peak load growth in the US is expected to increase by an incredible 166 gigawatts over the next five years, according to Grid Strategies. That represents a significant leap, compared to a 2023 estimate of 38 gigawatts by 2028. Grid Strategies attributes the uptick to data center development, which it expects to account for 90 GW of the new peak demand growth. That said, the report is based on forecasts submitted to grid operators and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, with actual figures potentially lower.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company is partnering with Nissan and Fermata Energy to enhance the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid by integrating electric vehicles and advanced charging technology. PG&E's collaboration aims to demonstrate how EVs can strengthen local energy resilience and provide clean backup power during outages, while also contributing to statewide grid stability.

The Trump administration and other officials are positioning coal as a reliable energy source, but research indicates that is not always the case. A new analysis reveals that coal generators experience an outage rate exceeding 12% due to equipment-related issues. Wind, for comparison, averages 6.6%. High-profile outages such as the Sandy Creek plant in Texas further undermine the reliability of the energy source and raise concerns about keeping aging coal-burning power plants on the grid.

The artificial intelligence and energy sectors are facing an interesting conundrum: both are expected to increase in tandem in the coming years, but they also require many of the same resources -- including critical minerals that are in increasingly short supply. The result may be bottlenecks that make it difficult for the sectors to grow, reports the International Energy Agency. "Monitoring how the material footprint of AI and data centres evolves will be critical to anticipating some key energy security risks," it says in its World Energy Outlook report.

A potential rare earths agreement between the US and China could be finalized by Thanksgiving, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. "I am confident that post our meeting in Korea between the two leaders, President Trump, President Xi, that China will honour their agreements," Bessent said.

Over 50 House Republicans sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Nov. 14, urging the department to stop imports of Chinese solar inverters. The lawmakers highlighted concerns raised by a Reuters investigation that uncovered undocumented rogue communication devices in Chinese inverters. "The integration of critical grid technologies, such as utility-scale solar and battery inverters, sourced from foreign entities of concern pose unacceptable national security, economic and supply chain risks," it said.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved a tentative order that introduces a statewide model tariff for connecting large electric customers to the grid. The order is part of the PUC's ongoing efforts to manage the increasing demands placed on the grid by energy-intensive users, such as data centers. The tentative order seeks to establish clear, transparent and timely procedures for interconnection, while also ensuring that the costs associated with new large loads are fairly allocated and do not negatively impact existing ratepayers.