Latest news with #NorthAmericanElectricReliabilityCorporation
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A New IEA Report and the Iberian Blackout End Dreams of an 'Energy Transition'
It's no secret that the Republican's 'Big Beautiful Bill' plans to axe large swaths of mandates and billions of dollars in subsidies directed at achieving a so-called 'energy transition.' If that budget axe falls, it will be the proverbial third strike that puts to rest the idea that the U.S., never mind the world, will abandon fossil fuels. The other two strikes already happened. Strike two came last month with the Great Iberian blackout. Preliminary forensics make clear that over-enthusiastic deployment of unreliable solar and wind power was the fulcrum that put 55 million people in the dark for days. Few politicians will want to risk allowing something like that to happen again, anywhere. And, as the North American Electric Reliability Corporation keeps warning, blackout risks are rising here, and for the same reason. Reliability used to be the core feature of electric grid designs, before the rush to push an energy transition in service of climate goals. And strike one came a few weeks prior to the Iberian calamity with the release of a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) titled Energy and AI. That report sought to answer the question about how to reliably meet the surprising jump in power demands expected in the coming decade's boom in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Answering that also answers, even if not intentionally, the same question about meeting society's future demands. As the IEA report noted, just one large AI data center uses as much electricity as two million households, and myriads are planned. Thus, digital infrastructures will soon create demands equivalent to—reliably—powering hundreds of millions of new households. Spoiler alert: the IEA forecast shows fossil fuels continue to play a central role. However, since the IEA is the chief cheerleader for an energy transition, the executive summary of this latest report leads by observing that half the expected data center demand will be 'met by renewables.' Not until deep into that report's 300 pages does one find the candid observation that natural gas supplies the other half in the U.S., and coal fills that role in China. The IEA's framing of the answer is a glass-half-full view of a failed vision, especially considering that trillions of dollars have been invested so far in pursuing the transition goal. Meanwhile, counting on far more renewables to supply half of new demands means ignoring the political and economic headwinds for U.S. solar and wind deployments. Long before the November 2024 election, or the Iberian grid collapse, the IEA itself flagged what many now know: China has unprecedented global dominance in wind and solar supply chains. Setting aside tariff impacts, the kind of spending required to build-out transition hardware would entail a massive wealth transfer to China. At the same time, it has become obvious that jamming wind and solar onto grids wreaks economic havoc on consumers. The economic fallout is starkly visible in Germany and the U.K., for example, where aggressive transition policies are further along, and have rendered those nations 'poster children' for de-industrialization and energy poverty. Cost of power, however, is not the central issue for the data center industry. After all, it has deep pockets. The Magnificent Seven, collectively, have about a trillion dollars of cash on their books. Even if ratepayers and most businesses are price sensitive, Big Tech is not. Why not just pay the premium for wind and solar? The answer: The prime drivers in digital domains are reliability and velocity. It's vital to ensure that power is ready when construction is done, i.e., the very near future. And it's vital to deliver that power continuously and reliably once operations start. Thus, we're seeing an almost covert reliance on massive quantities of natural gas turbines in nearly all the announced projects from Meta's Louisiana site, to Amazon's Virginia sites, to Microsoft's sites, and to Open AI's Stargate site in Texas. As Nvidia executive Josh Parker said at a recent energy conference, the tech community wants 'all options on the table' because at 'the end of the day, we need power. We just need power.' Likewise, households from Iberia to Indiana. Of course, nuclear energy is on everyone's wish list, but there's no prospect that it will make a significant contribution during the coming decade of furious data center buildout. This doesn't mean Big Tech or the IEA are backing off climate pledges. Nor does it mean the climate debate is settled. Nor will we see any diminution in transition fervor from the climate-industrial complex. Likely that fervor heats up as the Trump Administration attempts to deliver on its promise to defund the panoply of climate-energy programs marbled throughout federal agencies. What it does mean is that whatever one believes about the science of the climate, the fact is that mandates and subsidies can't change the physics of energy systems. Systems that can deliver reliable power at the scales necessary for robust growth remain anchored in precisely the fuels the transitionists want to abandon.<> Mark P. Mills is the executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics, and the author of The Cloud Revolution.
Newsweek
04-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Power Outages Are Spreading: Here's How to Prepare for Blackouts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Power outages are becoming more frequent across the U.S., and with them come plenty of risks. While a short stop in power to homes can often have negligible effects, prolonged power outages can be a serious risk. A power outage may disrupt communications, water supply and transportation systems. It can also lead to the closure of grocery stores, gas stations, banks and other essential services. A blackout can also mean food and medication spoilage, and it can be particularly dangerous for those with health conditions that require electricity for treatment. In December, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation reported that waning infrastructure could not keep up with demand. Climate change is also fueling the frequency of power outages: More frequent and severe weather events—such as hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves and winter storms—damage power lines and equipment. On May 2, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum warned that Americans might face large-scale power outages this summer, blaming the Biden administration for putting "our grid at such risk." His comments came shortly after almost all of Spain and Portugal suffered long power blackouts in late April that not only disrupted homes but national infrastructure. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there are several steps one can take to prepare for a power outage. A stock image of a person using a flashlight. A stock image of a person using a flashlight. GETTY Preparing for a Power Outage Start by making a list of any essential items in your home that require electricity. Plan ahead by securing batteries and alternative power sources, such as portable chargers or power banks, to keep critical devices operational during an outage. Ideally, each household member would have a flashlight handy. Managing Medications Consult your health care provider about how to handle power outages if you use medical devices that require electricity or medications that need refrigeration. Ask how long your medications can safely be stored at higher temperatures, and request specific instructions for managing any critical, life-sustaining prescriptions. If your power source is out for more than one day, dispose of any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug's label says otherwise. Get in touch with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible to replace lost medications. Using Appliances Safely During Power Outages The DHS recommends installing carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup on each level of your home, especially in central areas. Never use gas stoves, ovens, charcoal grills or camp stoves indoors as they can release dangerous fumes. If you have a generator, always operate it outdoors and keep it at least 20 feet away from windows and doors. To prevent damage when power is restored, unplug or turn off electronic devices and appliances as electricity can return with power surges. Storing Food and Water Generally keeping a good stock of nonperishable food items and enough water for your household is advised as power outages can often be unpredictable. In the case of a natural disaster, a blackout can also last for days. When a power outage strikes, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Refrigerated food typically remains cold for about four hours, while a full freezer can maintain its temperature for up to 48 hours. Place a thermometer inside your fridge and freezer to monitor temperatures, and discard any food that reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher or begins to smell or look inedible. If you can, use coolers and ice to preserve perishable items as needed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The United States is at risk of a Spanish-style electricity meltdown
Spain declared a state of emergency earlier this week after the country's electricity supply went down, due to cascading failures blamed on possible faults in two solar plants in the country's southwest region. Americans should not be complacent, however. The same could happen in the United States, too. Spain has been ramping up solar power for years, and set a record of meeting nearly 80 per cent of demand on April 21. On April 28, the day of the meltdown, solar provided 59 per cent of electricity, wind about 12 per cent, and nuclear and gas approximately 22 per cent. But providing reliable electricity to people with intermittent renewables, such as wind and solar, is more difficult than with baseload power, such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. In a 2024 report, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), a nonprofit international regulatory authority, warned of high and elevated risks of shortages for much of the United States from 2025 to 2029. Credit: Reuters | @agusssgtf According to the report, electricity supplies are likely to be inadequate as coal and some gas-fired generators face retirement and energy demand surges due to data centre and artificial intelligence technology. The NERC authors stated: 'The trends point to critical reliability challenges facing the industry: satisfying escalating energy growth, managing generator retirements, and accelerating resource and transmission development.' The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which provides electricity for 15 states from Louisiana to Wisconsin, as well as the Canadian province of Manitoba, is at high risk of suffering a shortage of electricity in the high demand months of summer and winter, for instance. Subsidies for wind and solar, signed into law in 2022 by Joe Biden in the Inflation Reduction Act, are at the heart of the problem. The wind and the sun are effectively free sources of energy, but they don't blow and shine continuously. Continuous, dense power from gas, coal, and nuclear is needed as a backup for renewables. But since these do not get subsidies, there is less incentive for companies to invest in them. The Solar Energy Industries Association states that solar energy represents 'energy dominance'. It argues that the tax credit for solar is 'one of the most important federal policy mechanisms to support the growth of solar energy in the United States' and has provided 'critical stability for businesses and investors'. After their electricity meltdown, Spaniards may beg to differ. In the United States, oil, gas, and coal have no tax breaks in the Inflation Reduction Act, and these forms of energy are currently vital to keep solar and wind in operation. The danger of potential blackouts is the reason that Donald Trump declared an energy emergency on his first day in office. He is taking several steps to avert the disaster forecast in the NERC report. These steps could also be emulated by the UK and the EU if they wanted to ensure a reliable grid. They don't seem keen to follow suit, however. Coincidentally, or not, following the Spanish meltdown, a new report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change was published stating that 'any strategy based on either 'phasing out' fossil fuels in the short term or limiting consumption is a strategy doomed to fail'. But despite the chaos on the Iberian peninsula, the Institute's sensible recommendations were evidently deemed unpopular by Labour Party leadership. President Trump, meanwhile, has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to end its Biden-era rules that would have required coal-fired and new natural gas-fired power plants to close if they could not eliminate 90 per cent of the CO2 emissions. He has also requested Congress to get rid of the billions in subsidies for renewables and other clean energy credits in the Inflation Reduction Act scheduled for the next decade. The combination of ending the subsidies for renewables and keeping open existing power plants should avert the blackouts forecast in the NERC report. President Trump is going further by accelerating development of fossil fuel projects. He has reopened Alaska to oil development, and is fast-tracking permitting for fossil fuel projects, so approvals come in 28 days or fewer. He has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider the finding that greenhouse gases such as CO2 and methane are pollutants. He has ordered the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and other associated UN agreements, a process that takes a year. The real winner from renewable energy use is China, which dominates wind and solar manufacturing. China makes around 75 per cent of the world's batteries, used in electric vehicles and to back up solar arrays. The tariffs that President Trump is placing on China, as well as removal of the tax credits, should tilt American energy policy in a more resilient direction. The stability and reliability of the power grid cannot depend on subsidised renewables. It is crucial to maintain continuous, dense power from coal, natural gas, or nuclear energy to ensure a dependable electricity supply. The steps taken by President Trump to avert blackouts by promoting fossil fuel development and reconsidering emissions rules reflect a necessary response to the challenges highlighted in the NERC report. The Spanish disaster proves it. Diana Furchtgott-Roth is the director of the Center for Energy, Climate and Environment at The Heritage Foundation Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The United States is at risk of a Spanish-style electricity meltdown
Spain declared a state of emergency earlier this week after the country's electricity supply went down, due to cascading failures blamed on possible faults in two solar plants in the country's southwest region. Americans should not be complacent, however. The same could happen in the United States, too. Spain has been ramping up solar power for years, and set a record of meeting nearly 80 per cent of demand on April 21. On April 28, the day of the meltdown, solar provided 59 per cent of electricity, wind about 12 per cent, and nuclear and gas approximately 22 per cent. But providing reliable electricity to people with intermittent renewables, such as wind and solar, is more difficult than with baseload power, such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. In a 2024 report, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), a nonprofit international regulatory authority, warned of high and elevated risks of shortages for much of the United States from 2025 to 2029. According to the report, electricity supplies are likely to be inadequate as coal and some gas-fired generators face retirement and energy demand surges due to data centre and artificial intelligence technology. The NERC authors stated: 'The trends point to critical reliability challenges facing the industry: satisfying escalating energy growth, managing generator retirements, and accelerating resource and transmission development.' The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which provides electricity for 15 states from Louisiana to Wisconsin, as well as the Canadian province of Manitoba, is at high risk of suffering a shortage of electricity in the high demand months of summer and winter, for instance. Subsidies for wind and solar, signed into law in 2022 by Joe Biden in the Inflation Reduction Act, are at the heart of the problem. The wind and the sun are effectively free sources of energy, but they don't blow and shine continuously. Continuous, dense power from gas, coal, and nuclear is needed as a backup for renewables. But since these do not get subsidies, there is less incentive for companies to invest in them. The Solar Energy Industries Association states that solar energy represents 'energy dominance'. It argues that the tax credit for solar is 'one of the most important federal policy mechanisms to support the growth of solar energy in the United States' and has provided 'critical stability for businesses and investors'. After their electricity meltdown, Spaniards may beg to differ. In the United States, oil, gas, and coal have no tax breaks in the Inflation Reduction Act, and these forms of energy are currently vital to keep solar and wind in operation. The danger of potential blackouts is the reason that Donald Trump declared an energy emergency on his first day in office. He is taking several steps to avert the disaster forecast in the NERC report. These steps could also be emulated by the UK and the EU if they wanted to ensure a reliable grid. They don't seem keen to follow suit, however. Coincidentally, or not, following the Spanish meltdown, a new report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change was published stating that 'any strategy based on either 'phasing out' fossil fuels in the short term or limiting consumption is a strategy doomed to fail'. But despite the chaos on the Iberian peninsula, the Institute's sensible recommendations were evidently deemed unpopular by Labour Party leadership. President Trump, meanwhile, has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to end its Biden-era rules that would have required coal-fired and new natural gas-fired power plants to close if they could not eliminate 90 per cent of the CO2 emissions. He has also requested Congress to get rid of the billions in subsidies for renewables and other clean energy credits in the Inflation Reduction Act scheduled for the next decade. The combination of ending the subsidies for renewables and keeping open existing power plants should avert the blackouts forecast in the NERC report. President Trump is going further by accelerating development of fossil fuel projects. He has reopened Alaska to oil development, and is fast-tracking permitting for fossil fuel projects, so approvals come in 28 days or fewer. He has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider the finding that greenhouse gases such as CO2 and methane are pollutants. He has ordered the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and other associated UN agreements, a process that takes a year. The real winner from renewable energy use is China, which dominates wind and solar manufacturing. China makes around 75 per cent of the world's batteries, used in electric vehicles and to back up solar arrays. The tariffs that President Trump is placing on China, as well as removal of the tax credits, should tilt American energy policy in a more resilient direction. The stability and reliability of the power grid cannot depend on subsidised renewables. It is crucial to maintain continuous, dense power from coal, natural gas, or nuclear energy to ensure a dependable electricity supply. The steps taken by President Trump to avert blackouts by promoting fossil fuel development and reconsidering emissions rules reflect a necessary response to the challenges highlighted in the NERC report. The Spanish disaster proves it.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ottawa County won't take legal action to stop coal plant closure
OLIVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — In a split vote among its two factions, Ottawa County commissioners decided not to take legal action to try to prevent Consumers Energy's last coal-fired power plant from closing. The vote Tuesday was 7-4, failing the motion to pursue legal resolution did not specify who would be the target of any possible litigation. Commissioner Allison Miedema, who proposed the resolution, said that was intentionally left broad so legal counsel wouldn't be limited in their options. Consumers Energy is in Port Sheldon Township on May 31 and eventually demolish it as part of a transition to renewable energy. The plant will close years earlier than originally planned. Earlier this year, the Ottawa County board asked the Michigan Public Service Commission to reconsider its after from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation suggested the power grid around the Midwest is at high risk for blackouts because new energy sources aren't keeping pace with generator shutdowns. Undeterred, Consumers said things will be fine because a new natural gas plant in Covert Township and two facilities will meet the need. During public comment Tuesday, some people urged the board to go forward with legal action. 'Before putting our grid system at risk of not being able to meet demands, I urge the board to do everything in its power' to prevent the closure, one person said. Ottawa County considers legal action to prevent coal plant closure While several commissioners still have concerns about closing the plant years earlier than planned, in the end, not enough of them favored going to the courts to try to keep it open. 'How can we prudently say we're going to give a blank check to our litigators and move ahead without a full analysis of this case?' Board Chair John Teeples said. 'I think it's imprudent. I think it's impulsive.' 'I was a little surprised, though there might be a couple more people who would like to take the next step to exercise our constitutional authority,' Commissioner Joe Moss said. 'There is a strong sense among board members to actually delay the closure and retake a fresh look at the information.' Before the vote, Moss had asked Teeples whether he would support litigation if the cost of any legal work was be capped at $20,000 or $40,000, for example. 'There's no sense wasting any more taxpayer dollars on this,' Teeples said. 'I'd say no. I think the county's done enough.' Moss countered that it could be worth it. 'I would much rather spend a small amount of money now than not be able to in a month and a half,' Moss said. Canadian company tapped to handle coal ash left by Campbell power plant Commissioners say the Trump administration is looking into this and could get involved. 'I think we're going to have much more satisfactory movement there than entering into an expensive additional litigation,' Commissioner Jacob Bonnema said. Moss said he hoped litigation could spur action by the Trump administration. Still, he remained unsure what authority or impact the federal government could have on the project and if it would be able to act fast enough, especially with the clock ticking. 'We have a very short timeline until the early closure occurs,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
