Grid watchdog Monitoring Analytics is recommending that data centers connecting to the PJM grid should be required to supply their own electricity. The directive comes as a direct response to the grid's inability to handle the surging power demands from large data centers, which are straining infrastructure and contributing to higher consumer costs. The watchdog's latest report marks a more assertive stance than earlier suggestions.

PJM is confronting significant resource adequacy challenges as rapid data center growth and other large loads drive up electricity demand. Their latest forecast anticipates a 32 GW increase in peak load between 2024 and 2030, with data centers accounting for the majority. This surge has led to concerns about maintaining reliable supply and upward pressure on prices.

Mitsubishi has agreed to invest $600 million for a 30% stake in Hudbay Minerals' Copper World project in Arizona. Hudbay CEO Peter Kukielski says the partnership is a significant milestone for advancing the project, which is expected to produce 85,000 tons of copper annually for 20 years.

Clean energy in the US is poised for robust growth, despite significant policy changes. The Energy Information Administration reports that the US is expected to add 16.5 gigawatts of new wind capacity and nearly 60 GW of solar capacity from the end of 2025 through 2026.

Avangrid produced approximately 13,000 GWh of electricity in the first half of 2025, supplying enough energy for 2.4 million American homes. The company operates over 10.5 GW of generation capacity across 80 plants nationwide, reflecting significant growth in recent years to address the rising demand for electricity.

David Rosner, a centrist Democrat, has been appointed chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The move came after Mark Christie, a Republican, resigned after not being reappointed. Rosner expressed enthusiasm for the role and highlighted his commitment to reliable and affordable energy. His appointment surprised some in the energy sector, as it bypassed Republican Commissioner Lindsay See.

President Donald Trump has revoked an executive order issued by former President Joe Biden that aimed to curb consolidation in the agriculture, technology and pharmaceutical sectors. The 2021 order directed more than 12 federal agencies to undertake 72 initiatives to enhance competition, including regulations to protect farmers and consumers.

PPL Electric Utilities credits its Smart Grid technology with preventing over 3 million outages since 2015, thanks to its ability to automatically reroute power around trouble spots. The system rapidly identifies faults, such as downed wires or failed transformers, and restores service to affected customers within minutes.

Sodium-ion batteries are gaining traction, particularly in China, for stationary storage and small-scale mobility. In this episode of the Catalyst podcast, Landon Mossburg from Peak Energy discusses the advantages of sodium-ion, such as better thermal management and supply chain benefits. However, the technology faces challenges in energy density compared with lithium-ion.

Manufacturing becomes a prime target for cyberattacks as implementation of technologies such as cloud computing and IoT grows, with incidents accounting for nearly 25% of reported breaches across sectors. Kyle Wickert, field chief technology officer at AlgoSec, writes that manufacturers should embed cybersecurity into every aspect of technology, going beyond compliance to ensure operational resilience.

NEMA is collaborating with VIPER Transitions to connect veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses with civilian career opportunities in the electrical industry. VIPER Transitions, founded by veterans, aims to address issues like unemployment and underemployment among veterans by providing career pathways, job training and support. The partnership includes a pilot program to place 50 qualified veterans into roles at eight participating companies within six months.

More than 90% of new renewables capacity added worldwide in 2024 was cheaper than fossil fuels, report the UN and the International REnewable Energy Agency. While US natural gas prices are expected to double by 2026, renewable energy costs continue to decline due to Wright's Law. Renewables costs worldwide have declined by 2.5x to 4x over the last 10 years, with even greater declines seen for battery storage.