Aging Transmission: Balancing Modernization and Asset Longevity

CPower's record year — providing 38 gigawatt-hours of support to the U.S. grid so far — marks a defining moment for Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). As CEO Michael Smith told Latitude Media: “VPPs are having a bit of a moment right now. We’ve been doing this for a long time, but finally you’re seeing the recognition that this is a hugely important piece of the energy transition puzzle.   ”From helping utilities meet rising demand to enabling the next generation of data centers, our intelligent, distributed energy platform is proving what’s possible when technology and partnership come together to strengthen the grid."   Read more from Latitude Media: https://lnkd.in/e_UBHSpf   #EnergyTransition #VirtualPowerPlants #GridReliability

📢 LIVE TODAY - A surging demand for energy, fueled by data center consumption and electrification, is putting a significant strain on existing systems: https://lnkd.in/ezurFV_V Join Marco Simiano, GE Vernova and Micalah S. to gain insight into how utilities can modernize aging infrastructure, navigate regulatory constraints, and shape the energy mix, while building a grid that is resilient not just technically, but also operationally and organizationally. #energy #infrastructure

$1.1 trillion That’s how much U.S. electric companies plan to invest over the next five years to modernize and expand the nation’s energy infrastructure — one of the largest capital deployments in decades. For 2025 alone, the industry is on pace to invest nearly $208 billion. There are currently 91 GW of new capacity under construction, and 488 GW planned or proposed over the next five years. This investment isn’t just about the grid. It’s about powering the future: ⚡ The surge of data centers and AI workloads. 🏭 The electrification of manufacturing and transport. 🌍 The transition to a more resilient, low-carbon economy. ⚙️ National security & resilience. The Edison Electric Institute’s latest report highlights a transformation that will shape the backbone of innovation — because every kilowatt of progress starts with reliable infrastructure. Strengthening America’s Energy Infrastructure to Increase Reliability & Lower Costs (www.eei.org) #EnergyInfrastructure #AI #Electrification #Grid #Sustainability #Innovation

Federal Push for Standardized Large-Load Interconnections   In a groundbreaking move, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has formally directed FERC to initiate rulemaking for large-load interconnections (>20 MW), a first-of-its-kind effort to bring major electricity consumers like AI data centers, industrial hubs, and hybrid energy generation sites under a federal framework.   The proposal aims to standardize how large loads connect to the interstate grid and ensure transparency, reliability, and non-discriminatory access. Notably, renewables-powered and hybrid facilities are fully included, marking a major step toward integrated grid planning.   If enacted, this could reshape the federal-state balance in electricity regulation and redefine how the next generation of high-demand and hybrid-powered projects connect to the grid.   #FERC #DOE #EnergyPolicy #GridModernization #AI #RenewableEnergy #cleantechir #EnergyTransition #DataCenters #EnergyRegulation

A new era of demand is rewriting the rules of grid planning. Aligned Data Centers is paying to build a 31-MW grid-connected battery so its new Pacific Northwest facility can go online years sooner—a deal developed with Calibrant Energy and the local utility. This model—using customer-funded energy storage to ease interconnection bottlenecks—could redefine how large power users connect to constrained grids. Instead of waiting for new generation and slogging through interconnection queues, batteries buy time, flexibility, and political goodwill. For developers and grid planners alike, the message is clear: speed now belongs to those who can deliver flexibility. Storage and hybrid solutions that relieve local grid stress will find faster paths through permitting and public review. Such solutions will be especially important as NYISO, ERCOT, and CAISO all warn of tightening margins. Follow PowerCom for insights at the intersection of energy policy, infrastructure, and communications. #EnergyStorage #DataCenters #AI #GridFlexibility #CleanEnergy #Infrastructure #Permitting #EnergyTransition #PowerCom 

𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 (𝐀𝐄𝐏) announced it has secured a $𝟏.𝟔 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 loan guarantee from the 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 to upgrade nearly 𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.   This project marks a major step toward future proofing the grid. Modernizing long-haul transmission lines means utilities can better support the rapid growth of AI/data centers and industrial loads, delivering electricity more efficiently, reliably, and resiliently.   At Utilities One Power Delivery, we’re excited to see these upgrades accelerating the transition to a smarter, more robust energy network. It’s a clear example of how strategic investment in transmission infrastructure enables innovation, fuels economic growth, and strengthens grid reliability. #UtilitiesOnePowerDelivery #EnergyInfrastructure #GridModernization #AEP #PowerDelivery #Transmission #ResilientGrid #FutureOfEnergy #SmartEnergy

The U.S. #ElectricGrid is in the midst of a transformation of extraordinary magnitude. The interplay of surging demand from AI-driven data centers coupled with restricted access to new sources of affordable, resilient energy compressing timelines and redefining priorities for the essential power infrastructure needs, with heightened urgency. Against this backdrop, the 19th edition of Black & Veatch’s Electric Report offers a trove of insight from more than 500 industry stakeholders. Within its pages, you’ll find utilities moving beyond incrementalism, embracing advanced technologies and strategies to fortify resilience and reliability. I am delighted to share this product of rigorous analysis and thoughtful collaboration with the latest voice of the US power industry—an indispensable guide for today’s energy decision-makers. Explore the full report: https://lnkd.in/gFwddQcd

Power, Policy, and Protection: The 3 Biggest Risks Facing Data Centers As the U.S. data-center market continues its record expansion, three structural risks are shaping investment, regulation, and resilience across the sector:- 1️⃣ Power & Grid Constraints — NERC and CBRE data show power availability is now the #1 concern for operators. In markets like Northern Virginia, grid connection delays and capacity shortages threaten to slow growth just as AI workloads accelerate. 2️⃣ Regulatory, Environmental & Community Pressures — From permitting delays to water use scrutiny, over $60 B in projects have faced local opposition or regulatory friction (DataCenterWatch). Sustainability and climate-resilience are no longer optional — they’re existential. 3️⃣ Cyber & Operational Risks — Data-centers remain prime targets for ransomware and APTs, while outages (often from human error or equipment failure) remain a costly Achilles’ heel. #AECOM can help with all three of these! [1 week to go] These themes are front and center at #DCDConnect Virginia, where #operators, #utilities, #regulators, and #investors are coming together to discuss how to build power-secure, sustainable, and cyber-resilient infrastructure for the next decade of digital growth. As far as energy, we are across 'all of the above' solutions, tradeoffs, consequences and risks. Reach out and we can #explore and #collaborate to de-risk and advance this important sector (and your project)! Anthony Passannante and I (Graeme Cooper MBA FEI) will bring our best thoughts and ideas to the energy debate ! You can also join our Global Head of Data Centers and Technology Mario Sawaya, US Data Center Design Lead, Teresa Lanuza Safie and Andrés Luna, PE, PMP Global Data Center Lead Water for insights on building resilient, sustainable, hyperscale solutions. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e5vvXRwR #DataCenters #DCDConnect #Infrastructure #EnergyTransition #CyberResilience #Sustainability #Virginia #AIInfrastructure AECOM AECOM Energy #policy #power #protection DCD Group #hyperscale #Ai #LLM #energy #power #transmission #interconnection #microgrids #batterystorage #renewableenergy #cleanpower #energtrilema

https://lnkd.in/edkdpSN3 🔍 The North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) is actively examining the growing challenge of meeting soaring power-demand from large commercial loads such as data centers. A recent hearing held over several days highlighted key pain points: capacity constraints, infrastructure upgrades, the pace of clean-energy transitions, and the importance of aligning regulatory and market frameworks to keep pace with demand. 📌 Key takeaways: • Large load inquiries are mounting rapidly, placing pressure on existing grid resources. • Utilities and regulators alike are wrestling with how to integrate resources, pricing structures and transmission assets to support these loads effectively. • The conversation underscores the broader urgency of grid planning in a decarbonizing economy. 🚀 Why this matters: For companies betting on large-scale deployment (AI, cloud, manufacturing) and for utilities shaping the future of the grid, these developments signal the need to collaborate early — from site planning and tariff design to transmission build-out and regulatory reform. #Energy #GridReliability #LargeLoads #DataCenters #CleanTech #PowerSector #Regulation

🔋 DOE Directs FERC to Accelerate Interconnection for Large Loads & Hybrid Facilities On October 23, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright invoked authority under Section 403 of the DOE Organization Act to direct FERC to act on reforms that streamline how large loads and hybrid facilities are studied and interconnected to the grid. 🔗 Read the announcement https://lnkd.in/g2J6zqeE Why This Matters This directive underscores growing federal recognition that large, flexible, and hybrid loads, such as AI datacenters and co-located generation assets, are becoming critical components of grid planning and reliability. It also signals movement toward faster interconnection timelines, clearer study frameworks, and more equitable cost allocation , all essential to accelerating electrification and digital infrastructure growth. Relyion Energy’s Perspective At Relyion Energy, we’ve long advocated that data center load-side flexibility is as vital as AI growth. We view this as a pivotal moment to align policy, technology, and market mechanisms that enable data centers and other high-demand facilities to become active grid assets — enhancing reliability, not burdening it. Follow us for updates as we continue shaping how large-scale compute and grid resilience evolve together. #EnergyPolicy #DatacenterFlexibility #FERC #DOE #Datacenters #EnergyTransition #RelyionEnergy