"Electricity rates are up 13% in this U.S. this year driven by an AI boom that has seeped into unlikely places, including repurposing supersonic jet engines for data center duty and working on beaming solar power down from space. And that pace of growth isn't expected to slow; the amount of electricity data centers use is projected to nearly triple in the coming decade."
"For example, startups like Gridcare and Yottar argue that spare capacity already exists on the grid and that software can help find it. Gridcare has gathered data on transmission and distribution lines, fiber optic connections, extreme weather, and even community sentiment to optimize the search for new locations and convince utilities the grid can handle it. Already, the company says it has found several such sites that have been overlooked."
Electricity demand surged in 2025 as AI-driven data centers expanded, raising U.S. electricity rates about 13% and prompting environmental and consumer concern. Data center electricity use is projected to nearly triple over the coming decade, creating strain on supply, pricing, and natural resources. Utilities are racing to upgrade transmission, distribution, and generation capacity while facing calls for moratoria on new projects. A new cohort of software startups aims to locate and unlock spare grid capacity by analyzing transmission lines, fiber networks, weather, and community sentiment. These startups seek to match medium-size users with existing capacity to accelerate interconnections and ease grid pressure.
Read at TechCrunch
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