All articles tagged with #energy grid
A Russian strike on Kyiv’s energy infrastructure on Jan 9 triggered widespread blackouts, leaving much of the city without electricity as temperatures plunged to around -12C by day and -19C at night; residents rely on batteries, warming centers, and emergency services while authorities say Moscow is aiming to disconnect the city, with some outages lasting days and affecting schools, cafes, and daily life.
Michigan regulators approved DTE Energy's contract to power a large AI-focused data center in Saline Township, despite public opposition and concerns over environmental and energy impacts, with the project expected to create jobs and boost the local economy.
A rare nationwide blackout in the Dominican Republic caused by a failure in the transmission system disrupted transportation, businesses, and essential services, with power outages affecting homes, hospitals, and public transit in Santo Domingo and beyond.
In October 2023, Russia launched a record-high number of missile strikes against Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure and causing widespread blackouts, as part of a strategy to weaken Ukrainian civilian resilience amid ongoing conflict. Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of deliberately sowing chaos, while Kyiv retaliates with strikes on Russian energy facilities.
Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages and challenging daily life, especially for vulnerable populations like dialysis patients, as the country prepares for a harsh winter.
Russia launched over 500 drones and missiles targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing casualties and widespread power outages, as tensions escalate amidst ongoing conflict and international diplomatic efforts.
Russia launched a massive aerial attack on Ukraine, targeting the energy grid and causing significant damage across multiple regions, including Kyiv. The assault, involving around 120 missiles and 90 drones, resulted in at least seven civilian deaths and numerous injuries. This marks one of the largest strikes on Ukraine since the full-scale war began, with critical infrastructure and residential areas heavily impacted. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept many of the aerial threats, while Poland heightened its airspace security in response.
Amazon's plans to power its US datacenters with nuclear energy have been stalled after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected a deal to increase power from the Susquehanna nuclear plant. The decision was influenced by concerns from utility companies about grid reliability and potential preferential treatment. FERC found that the proposed amendments lacked sufficient justification and could set a precedent affecting future grid arrangements. This highlights the challenges datacenter operators face in securing energy for expanding AI-driven services.
Solar eclipses inspire awe and disrupt life on Earth, generating revenue but also causing water shortages, traffic, and potential energy grid disruptions. The upcoming eclipse will significantly affect solar power production in the US, particularly in states with high solar capacity like Texas. Scientists are using eclipses to study solar phenomena like the corona and solar storms, which can impact Earth's technology. The next total solar eclipse will occur in 2026 over Spain, Iceland, and Greenland, with the next one visible in the US in 2033.
The path of April's total solar eclipse is expected to briefly reduce solar power output in Texas, but experts assure that the electric grid can compensate for the dip using other energy sources. The eclipse's impact on the US power grid is not anticipated to cause significant disruptions, as utility companies can prepare for its path, timing, and duration. Homeowners relying solely on solar power and situated in the path of totality may experience a brief impact, but overall, the eclipse is not a cause for concern and can be enjoyed safely with proper eyewear.
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar has filed a bill to connect Texas' energy grid to neighboring states, aiming to end the state's energy isolation and improve reliability. The bill would mandate coordination with federal regulators and neighboring grid-operating organizations to create high-voltage interconnections, potentially reducing power costs for consumers and allowing Texas to sell more renewable energy. However, the bill faces opposition due to concerns about increased federal oversight and potential threats to the state's energy independence.
Texas has been experiencing a record-breaking heatwave, but thanks to the rapid growth of solar and wind energy, the state's power grid has held up this summer. Solar and wind farms set a new high for renewable energy generation, offsetting the loss of power from natural gas and coal-fired plants. The state's investment in battery storage has also played a crucial role in avoiding outages. Texas has become a clean energy powerhouse due to federal tax credits, a permissive regulatory environment, and critical transmission lines. While some Texas Republicans still view renewables as unreliable, the oil and gas industry is investing in renewables. Solar and wind power have proven to be more reliable than fossil fuels, and Texas serves as a model for other states in transitioning to clean energy.
Ukraine will resume electricity exports after recovering from Russia's repeated attempts to destroy its power grid. The British Ministry of Defense said that Russia's campaign to severely degrade Ukraine's unified energy system within the 2022-23 winter has highly likely failed. Ukraine's energy minister praised the "titanic work" of engineers and international partners to restore the country's energy system. Ukraine is currently allowed to export up to 400 megawatts at a time to the European Union.