PJM Power Grid Nears 20-Year Demand Record as Heat Wave and Data Center Growth Strain Capacity
By
Michael Kern
Summary
PJM Interconnection, America's largest power grid serving 67 million people across 13 states and D.C., came within 2% of its all-time demand record (165,563 MW set in 2006) as a severe heat wave pushed heat indices past 110°F. Demand hit roughly 163 GW on Thursday. The article highlights that surging data center growth is a major structural driver behind rising electricity demand, compounding the strain from extreme weather events on aging grid infrastructure.
Source
bskyPJM Power Grid Nears 20-Year Demand Record as Heat Wave and Data Center Growth Strain Capacityoilprice-com.cdn.ampproject.orgKey quotes
· 3 pulledPJM Interconnection, which delivers power to 67 million people across 13 states and Washington, D.C., saw electricity demand surge to roughly 163 gigawatts on Thursday as a brutal heat dome pushed heat indices past 110 degrees from Washington to New York.
That fell just short of the grid's 2006 all-time peak of 165,563 megawatts, even after PJM had forecast Thursday's load could top 166,000 MW.
America's biggest power grid pushed to the edge of an all-time record this week, and the bigger force behind it may be tied to data centers.
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