The operators of a reliable North American grid including energy producers, providing affordable electricity manage THE most critical infrastructure needed for the sustainment of life, economic development, and national security. Our Nation’s utilities know that U.S. power demand is growing significantly faster than planners previously expected. The warning is blunt – Our Nation’s power supply is not prepared for significant load growth. In addition, the U.S. must expand the electricity transmission system by 60% by 2030 to meet projected demand, driven by new technology infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence, crypto-currency, and increased electrification of transportation systems. At the same time, more than 70% of the nation’s grid transmission lines and power transformers are over 25 years old.
The threats to the grid are increasing. More frequent blackouts have occurred in California and Texas in response to weather, wildfires, or peak period management. More intermittent renewables on the grid without commensurate battery storage add volatility. Base-load retirements are outpacing the deployment of new generation, impacting reliability. National leaders are warning of Nation-state cyber or physical attacks to disrupt national power supplies and transmission. How can immediate private sector demand requirements accelerate new generation projects to mitigate this risk to our way of life? What does the Government need to do to meet our urgent national security and economic interests?
Lucian Niemeyer, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy programs will deliver a keynote address on the need for enhanced power generation from all sources, starting with Natural Gas, and the way forward for policy changes needed to prioritize power reliability as an essential service to public safety.
