US Increases Power Generation By Largest Amount In 20 Years
US use of electric power was relatively flat for two decades. It has recently spiked because of AI applications. The data come from the US Energy Information Administration “According to our latest Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, developers and power plant owners added 20.2 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale electric generating capacity in the United States during the first half of 2024.”
Solar Power
Solar power is critical to the ability for generation to rise further. According to Bloomberg, “Solar power is expected to account for nearly 60% of the planned capacity for the rest of the year. New projects will drive solar gains this year alone to 37 gigawatts, which would be a record in any one year, according to the agency.”
The bad news for the environment is that plants that use coal cannot be shuttered rapidly as planned, which means greenhouse gas emissions for power generation will stay substantial. This problem could actually worsen as the use of AI and Bitcoin mining accelerates.
Dangerous Fallout
The entire situation is an example of how inventions that advance the economy and business create destructive cross currents for the environment.
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