CASE STUDY WHY AMERICA S OUTDATED ENERGY GRID IS A CLIMATE PROBLEM Why is the old American grid a problem? The US power grid is a complex system of power lines and transformers that delivers electricity to homes and businesses across the country. America s power grid is outdated and in need of modernisation, as most of it was built in the 1960s and 1970s. Being more than fifty years old, the American power grid struggles to keep up with the demands of a growing population, higher consumption, and the increasing use of renewable energy sources. Moreover, it has become vulnerable to storms which, in the last few years, have become more and more intense. According to data from the US Energy Information Administration, in 2023 US electricity customers suffered power outages for more than seven hours; five of those seven hours were during so-called major events, including snowstorms, hurricanes, and fires. That is a significant rise from the three-four-hour blackouts between 2013 and 2016. The outdated grid is also responsible for climate change, as it is inefficient and relies a lot on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause the planet to warm. How the grid can be updated A 21st century grid should be able to manage rising electricity demand to power electric vehicles, heat pumps, and industrial electrification and it needs to extend to new parts of the country to harness the best wind and solar resources. 14 Answer the questions. There are a number of steps that can be taken to modernise the grid and make it more resistant to climate change. These include: investing in new transmission lines and upgrading existing infrastructure; increasing the use of renewable energy sources; developing new technologies for energy storage; using smart grid technologies to a greater extent. Modernising the grid will not be an easy job: it will certainly be expensive and it will take a long time to be completed; however, it is essential if we want to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and try to put an end to climate change. Adapted from: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/17/ why-americas-outdated-energy-grid-is-a-climate-problem extent: misura to keep up with: stare al passo con to struggle: lottare to trap: intrappolare 1. What is the main problem of the US power grid? 2. What are the issues that the American grid has to face? 3. What were the primary causes of power outages in recent years? 4. How does the old grid contribute to climate change? 5. What are the requirements of a 21st century power grid? 90 ELECTRICITY 6. What steps are required to modernise the US power grid? 7. What are the difficulties associated with grid modernisation? 8. Why is modernising the grid essential for a sustainable future?