Power CEO: US Risks Losing AI Race Without Transmission Grid Overhaul

Michael Polsky, the CEO of Invenergy, has warned that the US is at risk of falling behind in the global artificial intelligence race if its outdated transmission infrastructure is not modernized urgently. Polsky's company is currently working on the proposed $11 billion Grain Belt Express power superhighway, an 800-mile high-voltage transmission line that will deliver 5 gigawatts of power from Kansas to the eastern US. The project aims to connect multiple regional grids to power data centers and onshore manufacturing trends, and has received a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $4.9 billion from the Department of Energy. However, the project's future is uncertain due to potential changes in the Trump era. Polsky argues that energy infrastructure developers need federal backing to build high-voltage power lines, similar to the support given to Elon Musk's space projects. He emphasizes the need for a national transmission authority to expedite the construction of transmission power superhighways, which is crucial for America's ability to win the AI race against China and other rising powers. The US transmission line map indicates that a massive amount of copper will be required to modernize the infrastructure, and Invenergy has already developed over 190 projects totaling more than 30 gigawatts of capacity. The company plans to break ground on the Grain Belt Express project next year, but the lack of modern infrastructure may lead to power blackouts and disruptions during peak demand hours. Polsky believes that the US has only years to figure out its energy infrastructure, and that it is an emergency situation that requires immediate attention. The development of transmission power superhighways is essential to strengthen the national grid and support the growing demand for power, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence.