The U.S. power grid is in need of an upgrade due to its aging infrastructure, which was built in the 1960s and 1970s, and is struggling to meet current electricity needs. 70% of transmission lines are more than 25 years old and many are nearing their typical 50- to 80-year lifecycle. This can affect power outages, cyberattacks, and other emergencies caused by faulty grid infrastructure. The federal government has initiated the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program, a $10.5 billion initiative funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by the GDO. Projections aim to tackle a range of grid needs including prevention of wildfires, improvements in neighborhood resilience through microgrids, and investments in disadvantaged communities. S&C Electric’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mike Edmonds, highlighted the need for smart grid technology and infrastructure hardening to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and securely to businesses and communities. However, investor-owned utilities are also investing in capital improvements.
Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating
