Electricity demand has steadily increased for years, especially amid frequent outage-inducing storms and excessive heat waves. The surge in power use has placed a particularly intensive strain on the faulty U.S. grid. Now, energy specialists, lawmakers and business leaders question what it will take to ensure the grid survives future climate change impacts.
The U.S. power grid was never built to endure today’s climate, having been constructed with above-ground mechanisms in the 1960s and 1970s. This has exposed essential grid equipment to heavy precipitation, ice, wind and heat. Meanwhile, buried power lines with older casings are vulnerable to flood inundation.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), 70% of transmission lines are at least 25 years old and nearing the completion of their life cycle — the failing grid results in frequent and prolonged outages, cyberattacks and risky emergencies.
From 2000 to 2023, 80% of 1,755 major power outages in the U.S. were due to weather — 23% and 14% were caused by winter storms and tropical cyclones, respectively. These disruptions cut access to medical care, food, water, transportation and critical communication networks, particularly impacting people of color.
The realization climate change is not slowing down underscores the importance of grid resilience. Otherwise, the range of potential consequences for people and economies will grow even more dire.
Electric modernization is the only way to ensure grid survival against climate change. Therefore, industry experts and lawmakers should explore the following areas for improvement.
In October 2023, the Biden Administration and DOE announced a $3.46 billion investment in 58 energy projects to strengthen grid infrastructure. The projects will especially benefit disadvantaged communities and generate 35 gigawatts of renewable energy.
Grid modernization entails replacing outdated transmission lines with weather-resistant materials. For instance, thicker conductors and cutting-edge lines can reroute power from disrupted areas to reduce outages.
Upgrading transformers with less flammable liquid is another way energy specialists can improve dependability and safety. Current use of mineral oil has a flashpoint of only 155-160 degrees Celsius — about 311-320 degrees Fahrenheit. Conversely, K-class fluids will likely catch fire at temperatures of 330-360 degrees Celsius.
The rise of smart technology has paved the way for grid innovations to withstand climate change. Digital grid infrastructure even saw a 7% year-over-year growth in 2022, with distribution accounting for 75% of investments.
Smart grid technology includes advanced metering with real-time electricity usage data, automated distribution, analytics, and networking and communication. In addition to creating greater efficiency and reliability, smart tech delivers insights to help consumers adjust their power consumption during peak times.
Fossil fuels are a tremendous source of greenhouse gasses, increasing climate change and the probability of extreme weather. Building grid resilience requires transitioning to cleaner energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal to improve grid sustainability and minimize power disruptions.
Of course, energy experts must integrate renewable energy with crucial grid upgrades, such as storage systems to collect surplus energy from residential solar and release it to the grid during peak demand periods.
About 2.7 million people lost power when Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Houston, Texas, on July 8, 2024, leaving them without air conditioning in the sweltering heat. However, for some, microgrids kept refrigerators running and critical infrastructure operational until engineers could get the power up again.
Microgrids are powerful solutions for communities. As independent energy generators, they divert dependence on the main grid, create stable electricity distribution, and promote the integration of renewable energy.
Hardening grid infrastructure is crucial for society and the economy, especially since experts warn that climate-related extreme weather events will continue rattling U.S. power. Utility companies, policymakers and consumers must advocate for grid upgrades and prioritize a more resilient future for electricity.
Ellie Gabel is a science writer and Associate Editor of Revolutionized, specializing in astronomy and environmental science.
