Alltricity Network eNews

Two new data centers in Silicon Valley have been built but can’t begin processing information: The equipment that would supply them with electricity isn’t available. It’s just one example of a crisis facing the U.S. power grid that can’t be solved simply by building more power lines, approving new power generation, or changing out grid software.

U.S. electricity customers experienced an average of 11 hours of power outages in 2024, nearly twice as many as the annual average across the previous decade, according to a new report from the Energy Information Administration. Hurricanes accounted for 80% of those lost hours, with most of last year’s outages resulting from major weather events like hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs today toured Tucson Electric Power’s largest local battery energy storage system, which supports energy resiliency in Arizona as TEP pursues its clean energy goals. Hobbs was joined by state and local elected officials at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and site tour of TEP’s Roadrunner Reserve I. The 200-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system can power 42,000 homes for four hours.

In a collaborative effort that marks a milestone for Nebraska’s and Oklahoma’s energy future, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), Lincoln Electric System (LES), and Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form the Great Plains New Nuclear Consortium. This consortium will explore the feasibility and development of deploying between 1,000 and 2,000 megawatts of new nuclear technology—including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—within Nebraska to serve the needs of the four utilities in the Southwest Power Pool market footprint.