America’s electric grid needs a major upgrade. The goal is for the grid to use only zero-carbon electricity by 2035. However, with the surge in electric vehicles and renewable power installation, a massive investment is required. It is estimated that an investment in the range of $2 trillion will be necessary.

Today’s grid is outdated with old power transmission lines and other components. Many parts of the grid are more than 100 years old. There’s a need to build thousand of miles of new lines. It is a daunting task. Contributing to the problem is issuing permits, regulations and questions as to who is and should be in charge of the grid.

Left alone, the U.S. power grid is stressed. Outages and disruptions are becoming more frequent in many parts of the country and local grid operations are also struggling to continue the flow of power during extreme weather occurrences. Extreme weather conditions could only get worse due to climate change.

The need for an upgrade has become so immediate that local grid operators are sounding the alarm and warning of electricity shortages. Already, the grid can’t deal with the disparity between supply and demand as we approach the summer. California warned just last week that it has to produce more electricity than is currently available to avoid blackouts. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), a nonprofit organization responsible for operating the power grid in 15 states of the U.S., has warned of power outages this summer.

As America electrifies its transportation system and constructs more buildings that require more electricity, the country will need to invest $360 billion in power transmission through 2030 and $2.4 trillion by 2050, according to a study commissioned by Princeton University released in 2020.

Moreover, the problem is compounded by the fact that there is a lack of a national strategy that defines the positions of policy makers, states, federal agencies, grid operators, and utilities in preparing the transmission system to a level where it can handle a surge of renewable power generation.

The regulatory issues make investing in the grid complicated and could delay the construction of transmission infrastructure. The delay would push the timeline back for achieving clean energy goals.

Power Grid Problems

Today’s power grid is also under threat from a number of sources including:

• The age of the grid
• Increased blackouts due to power grid failure
• Solar storms and EMP attacks
• Cyber or terrorist attacks

The Age Of The Grid

As mentioned, parts of the grid are as many as 100 years old and yet it was designed to last 50 years. So far, little has been done to replace aged parts. As a result, the American Society of Civil Engineers has given the U.S. power grid a grade of D+.

Increased Blackouts Due To Grid Failure

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, major outages are increasing. More than 50,000 utility customers have been affected over the past two decades. The problem is due to the aging grid, as equipment stays online longer than programed.

Solar Storms and EMP Attacks

A major solar storm could destroy the grid. Moreover, an EMP attack from an enemy of the U.S. could wipe out the grid as well. This is when a nuclear device is exploded 300 miles over the center of the country. Such an occurrence would fry the grid and destroy a majority of electronics products. Almost nothing has been done to prepare for this.

Cyber Or Terrorist Attack

Many of our perceived enemies including Russia and China as well as hackers have the capability to destroy our grid through a cyber attack. Moreover, the grid is also susceptible to a less sophisticated terrorist attack. In 2014, an attack was conducted on a power substation in San Jose, California. According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, taking down as few as nine critical substations could destroy the entire grid.

It’s not just severe weather that can plunge you and your family into darkness. For peace of mind consider purchasing a standby generator. Today’s generators include protections against spikes. Many are equipped with Wi-Fi that allows you to monitor and control them with a smartphone from anywhere on earth.

AP Electric offers a wide range of generators manufactured by the most respected and dependable OEMs in the US. Check out the company’s website for more information or call us at 847-516-8882 M-F from 8 to 5 central time.