Heatwave is gripping much of United States,power grid operators sound alarms over potential record electricity demand. The extreme temperatures,expected to peak between Tuesday and Thursday, could push consumption to levels not seen before just ahead of busy Fourth of July weekend.
From Boston to Washington,D.C.,forecasts show temperatures soaring above 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). This heat surge likely to drive up air conditioning use as millions gear up for holiday celebrations. Timing couldn't be worse, coinciding with 250th anniversary of U.S. independence,marked by barbecues, parades, fireworks.
Humidity could make things worse,with heat indices hitting 46 degrees Celsius (114 degrees Fahrenheit) in spots . Overnight temps won't offer much relief either,staying uncomfortably warm.
PJM Interconnection,biggest regional grid operator in U.S.,expects record electrical demand of 166.3 gigawatts Thursday evening. That would top the previous summer peak set back in 2006. Meanwhile, New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) is also bracing for near-record electricity consumption. Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO),serving 15 states in Midwest and South,may face its own challenges meeting peak demand.
To handle the surge,MISO plans to lean on PJM for support. A PJM report in May flagged a worrying trend: energy demand is outpacing new power supply development. Building new plants now takes twice as long and costs far more than a decade ago .
Adding to grid strain is rising energy use from new tech, like data centers and electric vehicles. PJM noted hyperscale data centers expanding energy needs at a staggering rate . These facilities,processing mountains of data for AI and more, can use between 100 and 300 megawatts — enough to power thousands of homes.
Many data centers are in northern Virginia,world’s largest hub for such facilities. Researchers identified a “data heat island effect,” where land surface temps around these centers rise by 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on average, with some areas seeing jumps of up to 9 degrees Celsius (16.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
National Weather Service warns of health risks from prolonged extreme heat exposure. Public advised to limit outdoor activities,stay hydrated,seek air-conditioned spaces or cooling centers . A 2024 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) report showed 21,518 heat-related deaths in U.S. from 1999 to 2023,highest toll in 2023,with 2,325 deaths due to high temps .
As nation braces for heatwave,soaring temps and rising energy demands pose big challenge to already strained electrical grid…
