Baseload power plants are not necessary to maintain supply in an energy system dominated by wind and solar power, and only have a place in future systems if they help cut costs, say researchers in Ger...

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The proliferation of artificial intelligence and the subsequent rise in data centers are significantly impacting U.S. electricity consumption and costs. These data centers, consuming power equivalent to that of small cities, are substantially increasing the nation's overall energy demand. Projections indicate a substantial rise in electricity demand, with estimates suggesting a 25% increase by 2030 and a near 80% increase by 2050, with certain areas experiencing even more rapid growth. PJM Interconnection, a major regional power grid, anticipates that data center power needs could match the electricity requirements of 20 million homes by 2030. The rapid surge in demand is outpacing the ability of utilities to expand power generation and infrastructure. This imbalance is placing considerable strain on electricity prices, affecting both tech companies and typical households. Forecasts suggest electricity prices could increase by 15% to 40% within the next five years, potentially doubling by 2050, on top of existing price increases where retail electricity prices have outpaced inflation since 2022. Tech giants like Amazon and Google, actively shaping technological advancements, have a responsibility to ensure affordable energy solutions are in place. This expansion of AI and data centers is frequently described as a new industrial revolution, offering substantial economic opportunities.

The rapid adoption of grid-connected smart inverters involves vulnerabilities that could compromise the stability, reliability, and security of power grids.

Power equal to 480 nuclear reactors unused in U.S. and Europe

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From melting airport tarmac to power grids hit by hurricanes and reservoir dams stressed by extreme rainfall, our ‘Old World’ infrastructure is ill-equipped for climate change, writes Jeff Goodell.

This Insight takes a closer look at the role of battery storage solutions and finds that momentum is building, but governments, system ...

Recent power disruptions in Spain have sparked concerns regarding the resilience of power grids worldwide, including California's. The state has been actively working to strengthen its energy infrastructure following past wildfires and subsequent outages. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) continuously monitors grid conditions and implements preventative measures to ensure stability. The Spanish power failure was attributed to a combination of factors, primarily an increased dependence on renewable energy sources coupled with unexpected weather patterns. This situation underscored the complexities of managing electricity networks heavily reliant on intermittent power generation like solar and wind. CAISO officials acknowledge the Spanish event and are proactively taking steps to avoid similar incidents in California. They emphasize key differences between the two grids, noting California’s more comprehensive monitoring systems and established contingency protocols. A growing reliance on renewable energy continues to be a factor influencing grid stability both globally and within California, presenting ongoing challenges in managing fluctuating power supply.

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Global solar power industry under threat The rise in the use of solar power worldwide has revealed gaps in cybersecurity in cloud computing devices, inverters, and monitoring platforms. As these become prone to critical vulnerabilities, it creates an unsafe ecosystem where threat actors can disrupt power grids, exploit energy production, and steal important data, causing serious threats to global energy infrastructures.  A recent study has found 46 new flaws across three main solar inverter manufacturers- SMA, Growatt, and Sungrow. Past findings revealed that 80% of documented flaws were high or critical, with a few touching the highest CVSS scores. In the last three years, an average of 10 new flaws have been reported annually; 32% of these carried a CVSS score of 9.8 or 10, suggesting that threat actors could exploit compromised systems fully.  Experts at Forescout research said their findings have shown an “ecosystem that is insecure — with dangerous energy and national security implications.” “While each residential solar system produces limited power, their combined output reaches dozens of gigawatts” This makes their “collective impact on cybersecurity and grid reliability too significant to ignore.” Solar power systems are in danger, and millions of them Various solar investors link with the internet directly. This makes them scapegoats for attackers, as they can exploit out-of-date firmware, unencrypted data transmissions, and poor authentication mechanisms to take control.  How threat exploit grid infrastructure Hackers use exposed APIs to hack user accounts, change credentials, and change inverter settings, causing power outages. Also, unsafe object references and cross-site scripting (XSS) flaws could disclose user emails, energy consumption data, and physical addresses, breaking privacy regulations like GDPR. “Attacks can target individual persons and organizations owning solar power systems, or they can be broad and automated,” Forescout said. Risks posed by solar power  Apart from grid instability, compromised inverters can also cause further risks such as financial manipulation, smart home hijacking, and data theft. A few flaws let hackers take control of EV chargers and smart plugs. By changing inverter settings, attackers can impact energy prices and demand ransom payments to restore system functions.  Robust cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST IR 8259 and the implementation of Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) can help lower threats.

AI's dual role in power grids: boosting efficiency but increasing cybersecurity risks. Discover the potential and precautions for a safer tech transformation.

U.S. annexation threats have revived talk of new oil and gas pipelines to bolster Canadian energy security. There’s a cheaper, greener alternative that's been debated for decades, say advocates of a c...