Ageing grid poses problems

Despite a growing power surplus, the prospects of price spikes and electricity outages plague some regions of the US. The reason? The 157,000-mile, high-voltage transmission grid that interconnects the country’s 5,000 generation facilities has not kept pace with demand. It is being strained by the US’ growing power needs and by exponential growth in electricity trading, brought on by competition in the wholesale and retail power markets, writes Anne Feltus.