The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently released a study that highlights innovative technology and policy solutions to maintain a reliable and affordable energy system amid growing electricity demands.

Conducted by PA Consulting, the study, “A Reliable Grid for an Electric Future,” predicts that growth in electricity demand in the United States will be driven by a 300% rise in energy consumption by data centers and a 9,000% increase in energy consumption required for e-mobility and charging.

To that end, the research reveals near-term and emerging technology solutions to make the grid more efficient to meet this demand growth, including transmitting more with existing infrastructure, optimizing data center performance, enhancing grid stability through storage, and creating ways to manage peak load from EV charging.

“America’s electrical system will face dramatic changes over the next 25 years,” said Debra Phillips, president and CEO, NEMA. “As electricity demand is set to rise for the first time in decades, we need an all-above-approach that focuses on investing in innovative technologies and prioritizing policy and regulatory certainty that will help us create the reliable and affordable energy system of the future. This study is an important step forward in achieving that, and offers a blueprint to improve grid performance, enhance reliability, and meet our shared electrification goals.”

Access the executive summary or grid study presentation on NEMA’s website.