A massive winter storm swept across dozens of states, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and testing an already stressed electricity grid. The surge in demand from AI data centers, alongside traditional heating needs, caused wholesale electricity prices to spike dramatically in states like Virginia. Utilities scrambled to restore service while grappling with aging infrastructure, climate‑related damage, and the growing energy appetite of AI workloads. Experts warn that such weather events highlight the need for better grid planning and potential demand‑response measures to balance the new load from AI data centers. Read more →

A new analysis finds that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers will drive a significant rise in U.S. electricity demand, potentially increasing power‑plant carbon emissions by up to 29 percent over the next decade. The study highlights that restoring wind and solar tax credits could cut emissions by more than 30 percent and lower wholesale electricity costs. It also notes that without stronger policies, the surge in data‑center power use could exacerbate climate impacts and raise costs for consumers. The report calls for robust guardrails on data‑center growth and accelerated renewable investment to balance the AI boom with climate goals. Read more →

A new BloombergNEF report projects that data centers will need nearly three times the electricity they consume today, rising to 106 gigawatts by 2035. Growth will be driven by larger facilities, higher utilization rates and the surge in AI training and inference workloads. Much of the new capacity is expected in rural regions across the PJM Interconnection and Texas’s ERCOT grid, prompting regulatory scrutiny over grid reliability and electricity pricing. Read more →

Oak Ridge National Laboratory used 3D printing and artificial‑intelligence tools to fabricate concrete shielding for the Hermes Low‑Power Demonstration Reactor in East Tennessee. Large sections were completed in just 14 days, a timeline that would have taken weeks with conventional methods. While the approach promises faster, cheaper, and more flexible nuclear construction, officials stress that long‑term durability and rigorous quality checks are essential. The integration of AI raises questions about oversight and the potential for unnoticed design errors, highlighting a balance between efficiency and safety as the industry adapts to rising energy demands. Read more →