The US power grid is stressed and at increasing risk of serious disruption or failure. Power outages are becoming more frequent. Data from the US Department of Energy shows that there was a 64% increase in major outages – defined as affecting 50,000 customers or more – in the 2011-2021 period, as compared to 2000-2010.

When they occur, power outages are lasting longer. DOE data shows that, from 2013 to 2021, the average duration of a power outage more than doubled, from about 3.5 hours to more than 7 hours. 

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Experts attribute this to three factors. 

Aging infrastructure: Most parts of the U.S. power grid were designed and installed in the 1960s and 1970s, and with such equipment generally having a lifespan of about 50 years, much of our grid is past its expiration date. This leaves it less resilient,more prone to outages, and more difficult to bring back online after outages occur. 

Increased demand: Demand for electricity has grown steadily over the past half century on an absolute level and on a per-capita basis. Increased industrialization, followed by increased computerization and digitization, have driven demand growth until now, and our accelerating transition from gas-powered cars and trucks to electric vehicle...

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