As AI Strains the Grid, Distributed Energy Resources Can Help Keep the Lights On

Energy demand in the U.S. is rising fast—and our power grids are feeling the strain.

According to a recent report, electricity use could jump 25% by 2030, driven in part by energy-hungry AI data centers. This surging demand, combined with increasingly extreme weather, puts our power supply at risk.

But there’s hope: distributed energy resources (DERs), an emerging clean energy option. DERs generate, store, or manage electricity close to home—think smart thermostats, solar panels, home batteries, and electric vehicles.

Working together, these resources help balance energy use in real time, contribute extra energy to the grid, and keep the lights on during outages—making DERs key to a more reliable, affordable energy future for America.