Increased consumption and industrial demands threaten the supply of electrical energy in the USA and the world!
According to megacurioso, EUA face a growing energy crisis, with consumption on the rise and industrial demands exceeding current capacity. As the world's population continues to grow and urbanization expands, the challenges of meeting this demand become increasingly critical. This article explores the causes and implications of this energy crisis, analyzing the role of artificial intelligence, industrial expansion and energy policies.
The impact of population growth and urbanization
On November 15, 2022, the world population reached 8 bilhõesAccording to UN, and this number has not stopped growing since the 1960s. This population growth and urbanization have put pressure on natural resources and energy infrastructure. It is estimated that by 2050, 60% of the world's population will be living in urban centers, requiring a 50% increase in food and energy production compared to 2012.
Currently, the food sector is responsible for 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, using 70% of available fresh water and consuming 30% to 40% of global energy. In the United States, this demand is exacerbated by the growing need for energy in states like Georgia and Arizona, which are already struggling to meet industrial and residential demand.
-
In South Korea, people enter stores in the early hours of the morning and serve themselves, without attendants or security.
-
New Chinese drone mimics a bird — it flaps its wings to camouflage itself and escape radar
-
Giant star 20 times bigger than the Sun caught gobbling up gas in rare cosmic formation
-
US tests technology that launches satellites at 8.000 km/h without rockets and at low cost, using a 'giant rotary cannon' - China watches closely
The role of artificial intelligence and data centers
Data centers emerge as a new villain in electricity consumption. Building large warehouses of computing infrastructure requires a significant amount of energy, surpassing that of traditional processing centers. Thus, technology companies such as Microsoft, Amazon and Apple are rapidly expanding their data centers, increasing pressure on the energy system.
Building these centers in northern Virginia and Texas will require the capacity of multiple nuclear plants to meet demand. According to the International Energy Agency, data centers consumed more than 4% of US electricity in 2022, with predictions of reaching 6% by 2026.
Challenges and solutions to the energy crisis
The Biden administration's industrial policy has attracted companies to build factories in the US, especially in clean technology such as solar panels and batteries for electric cars. However, industrial expansion and the race for electricity have generated debates about how to finance new energy supplies and the need to extend the life of fossil fuel plants.
Energy efficiency is a viable solution to reducing electricity demand. However, between 2006 and 2021, energy efficiency helped reduce demand by 220 TWh, equivalent to Florida's annual consumption. However, investments in sustainable programs have declined since 2019, making it difficult to build new clean energy infrastructure such as battery, wind and solar plants.
Future of electrical energy in the USA
The real challenge is whether the U.S. can meet growing energy demand without turning to fossil fuels. Energy Innovation suggests that clean, cheap solutions are available, but they require political will and sustainable investment. The construction of high-voltage transmission lines is crucial to integrating new energy sources, but faces political and financial obstacles.
Therefore, the US's ability to overcome this energy crisis will depend on political decisions and strategic investments. Therefore, the government must decide whether to allow energy suppliers to continue to rely on fossil fuels or force them to adopt cleaner solutions. The response to this crisis will define the future of electrical energy in the country and its global impact in the fight against climate change.