Utilities and Infrastructure Availability

Inspired by Emma Howard Boyd CBE's post from earlier today, I was reflecting on London's predicament. London stands at a crossroads in how it manages water resources & strengthens its resilience to climate change. W/ rising populations, aging infrastructure, & increasingly extreme weather patterns, the city’s ability to secure its water future & protect against floods is under huge pressure At the heart of the challenge are 2 interconnected risks: water scarcity & flooding. By the 40s, daily water deficits of up to 400m litres could threaten supply, while rising groundwater, heavy rainfall, & overwhelmed infrastructure pose flooding risks for homes, businesses, & transport networks. Climate extremes are no longer hypothetical & our systems need urgent upgrades to adapt. To future-proof London, a multi-faceted approach is essential: 🔹 Demand mgmt: reducing water consumption through efficiency measures in homes and businesses is the most immediate and cost-effective step. Education, incentives, & smart technologies can cut waste & manage supply 🔹 Nature-based solutions: urban wetlands, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), & green infrastructure are vital. These approaches allow nature to help manage water—absorbing excess during storms, replenishing groundwater, & cooling urban areas—while enhancing biodiversity & public spaces 🔹 Infrastructure innovation: London’s Victorian-era water systems are under enormous strain. Significant investment is needed to upgrade pipelines, reservoirs, and treatment facilities to meet modern demands & withstand climate stresses. Partnerships between public & private sectors are critical to fund this long-term transformation 🔹 Climate risk integration: ensuring that every major infrastructure project incorporates climate resilience is vital. Resilience should not be an afterthought but a foundation for planning & development We need collaboration too. Water utilities, government agencies, businesses, and communities must work together to implement solutions that balance supply, demand, and risk. This means aligning incentives, investing in innovation, & embracing a holistic view of water management that protects both people & ecosystems. London has a unique opportunity to lead the way as a global city facing climate pressures. By combining smart tech, policy innovation, and nature-based solutions, it can build a water-secure future that safeguards lives, livelihoods, & the environment. Several urban areas across the UK face the dual challenges of both water scarcity & flooding, similar to London. Carbon Brief's work suggests examples include: 1. Cardiff 2. Leeds 3. Exeter 4. Newport These urban areas exemplify the broader national challenge of managing both flood risks & potential water shortages. Addressing these issues requires integrated water management strategies, investment in resilient infrastructure, & climate adaptation measures to safeguard communities & ensure sustainable water resources.

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) site survey is a crucial step before designing and deploying a BESS project. 1. Site Location and Accessibility ✅ Geographical Coordinates – Latitude & longitude of the site ✅ Site Access – Road conditions, distance from the main highway, transport feasibility ✅ Security – Fencing, surveillance, and access control requirements ✅ Environmental Conditions – Nearby water bodies, forests, flood zones 2. Electrical Infrastructure ✅ Grid Connection – Distance from the nearest substation, voltage levels, and grid capacity ✅ Existing Transformers & Switchgear – Availability, ratings, and need for upgrades ✅ Point of Interconnection (POI) – Location, capacity, and grid compliance requirements ✅ Power Quality Parameters – Voltage fluctuations, harmonics, and frequency variations 3. Load Profile & Energy Needs ✅ Peak Demand (MW/MWh) – Maximum and minimum load requirements ✅ Load Fluctuations – Seasonal variations and power demand curve ✅ Backup Requirements – Grid support, peak shaving, or islanding capability ✅ Future Load Expansion – Provision for additional capacity 4. Environmental & Climatic Conditions ✅ Temperature Range – Min/max temperature for BESS thermal management ✅ Humidity & Rainfall – Impact on enclosures, electrical components, and corrosion risk ✅ Seismic & Wind Load – Structural stability against earthquakes and storms ✅ Flooding Risk – Historical flood data, drainage facilities, and mitigation measures 5. Space & Layout Considerations ✅ Available Land Area – Space for BESS containers, transformers, and switchgear ✅ Ground Conditions – Soil testing, load-bearing capacity, and need for reinforcement ✅ Shading & Heat Islands – Impact of nearby structures on ventilation and cooling ✅ Fire Safety Clearances – Minimum spacing for fire protection and emergency access 6. Safety & Compliance ✅ Fire Suppression System – Availability of fire detection, suppression (e.g., FM-200, NOVEC) ✅ Local Regulations & Permits – Compliance with electricity board and environmental laws ✅ Battery Safety Standards – IEC 62619, UL 9540A, NFPA 855, and other applicable standards ✅ Hazardous Material Handling – Battery electrolyte safety and emergency handling procedures 7. Communication & Control Systems ✅ SCADA & Monitoring – Remote access, data logging, and integration with grid operations ✅ Internet Connectivity – Availability of fiber, cellular, or satellite communication ✅ Cybersecurity – Protection against hacking, data security protocols ✅ Telemetry & Alarms – Real-time alerts for temperature, SOC, SOH, and fault conditions 8. Civil & Structural Requirements ✅ Foundation Type – Concrete pad, piles, or elevated structures based on soil study ✅ Drainage & Water Management – Preventing water accumulation near battery enclosures ✅ Cable Routing & Trenching – Underground or overhead cabling for power and communication ✅ Cooling System Installation – HVAC or liquid cooling provisions

Navigating the New Grid Reality: How DERs and Data Centers are Challenging T&D Infrastructure In today's rapidly evolving energy landscape, the widespread adoption of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the explosive growth of power-hungry AI data centers are creating unprecedented challenges for our Transmission and Distribution (T&D) infrastructure. As someone who has spent years helping utilities adapt to these changes, I've seen firsthand how traditional grid equipment—designed for one-way power flow and predictable loads—is increasingly vulnerable to new failure modes. Transformers overheating from harmonic distortion, protection systems confused by bidirectional power flows, and capacitor banks damaged by resonance issues are just a few examples of what our industry now faces. I'm excited to share a comprehensive investigation framework that my team has developed specifically for identifying, analyzing, and addressing T&D equipment failures related to DER and data center integration. This approach combines rigorous data collection, advanced analytics, and targeted mitigation strategies to help utilities maintain reliability while supporting grid modernization. In the attached article, I explore how these modern grid constituents affect different types of equipment and outline practical steps for protecting your infrastructure investments. Whether you're a utility engineer, a grid operations manager, or an energy policy professional, you'll find actionable insights to help navigate this new grid reality. Looking forward to your thoughts and experiences with these challenges! #GridReliability #DERIntegration #DataCenters #EnergyTransition #UtilityInfrastructure

High availability isn't just a metric anymore, it is a business expectation. In my latest post I break down how to architect globally resilient infrastructure that survives regional outages, handles failover automatically and removes public ingress entirely. Inside the post: - Multi-region Azure k8s clusters, deployed and managed using Pulumi in C# - Secure cluster connectivity with Cloudflare tunnels -> No exposed public IP - Geo-steered global load balancing with real-time health checks and auto-failover - Clean infrastructure-as-code patterns for reproducibility and disaster resilience - Automated deployments, monitor insights and CI/CD integration tips The result? A blueprint for cloud-native applications that remain available, secure and fast, even during a regional cloud provider outage. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e8vkVBfc Whether you're leading platform modernization, scaling a SaaS product, or solving for compliance and reliability at the edge -> this architecture is built to support your strategy. Let me know what resonates. I’m happy to connect or dive deeper with anyone building in this space. #CloudArchitecture #PlatformEngineering #Kubernetes #Pulumi #Cloudflare #Azure #ZeroDowntime #ResilienceEngineering #MultiRegion #TechLeadership #SaaS #IaC

⚡ Expanding electricity access is a critical development priority, with initiatives like The World Bank Mission 300 Africa aiming to connect 300 million people by 2030 and the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana aiming to attain 100% rural electrification in India. Despite substantial investments in infrastructure, electrification efforts face persistent challenges, including low cost recovery, unreliable and poor quality electricity supply, and uncertain demand patterns. A new VoxDev literature review by Robyn Meeks and Meera Mahadevan looks at research on electricity infrastructure, examining its effects on access, reliability, financial sustainability, and emerging technologies like mini-grids. Key points for policy: ⚡Expanding access does not guarantee socioeconomic gains: Connecting households to the grid does not automatically lead to economic transformation; the benefits of electrification depend on factors like household income, complementary infrastructure, electricity quality, and political and regulatory environments. 🔌Reliability and quality of electricity are key determinants of impact: Unreliable and poor-quality electricity discourages investment and reduces productivity, highlighting the need for improved reliability through infrastructure upgrades, smart technologies, and better utility management. 💰Utility financial sustainability is a persistent challenge: Many utilities operate at a loss due to theft, non-payment, and subsidies, requiring reforms to balance affordability with cost recovery to ensure ongoing investment in infrastructure and service improvements. 📊Demand growth and consumer behavior shape infrastructure needs: Utilities must anticipate shifting demand driven by pricing, appliance ownership, and climate changes, requiring capacity expansion and tariff reforms to promote efficient electricity use and avoid infrastructure strain. 🔋 Mini-grids offer promise but face sustainability concerns: Mini-grids can improve energy access in remote areas but often struggle with financial viability and limited capacity; long-term sustainability requires careful planning, proper maintenance, and potential integration with national grids. 📖 https://lnkd.in/gB9rGxA6

🚨 100x Risk of Outages by 2030? The Grid Can’t Keep Up with AI Growth ⚡ According to the just-released DOE report on U.S. grid reliability, we’re staring down a major power shortfall that could derail the AI revolution and cripple data center expansion: 🔌 50 GW of new AI/data center load expected by 2030 🏭 104 GW of firm generation retirements planned 📉 Risk of blackouts increases 100x in key regions (like PJM & ERCOT) if plant closures proceed ⚠️ Even without plant retirements, reliability still drops 34x by 2030 And here’s the kicker → data center infrastructure lifespans are shrinking to 5 years, but utility infrastructure still operates on 15–30 year planning cycles. That’s a recipe for serious misalignment. 📈 Every region except NYISO & ISO-NE fails reliability standards under DOE's AI growth model. 💡 The message is loud and clear: grid modernization must move at the pace of technology. AI won’t wait for a substation permit. 🛠️ Want to win the AI infrastructure race? Utilities and data center operators need to: 🔹Collaborate on power roadmaps 🔹Design scalable grid infrastructure 🔹Forecast based on power density trends, not historical norms 🔹This is about more than uptime. It's about national security, digital leadership, and economic competitiveness. 🔹Let’s build the grid that AI needs. Read the Report: https://lnkd.in/epmdgZZY #AIInfrastructure #GridModernization #DataCenters #EnergySecurity #PoweringAI

AI’s Hidden Bottleneck: Why Power Planning Belongs on the Board Agenda AI may be software-driven, but it’s powered by steel, concrete, and grid capacity. As #AI adoption accelerates, the real constraint isn't data science—it's electricity. CBRE reports record-low data center vacancy and double-digit colocation rental price increases due to an infrastructure crunch. Goldman Sachs projects AI data center power demand will rise 160% by 2030, and we’re already seeing hyperscalers buying up energy-intensive assets, from natural gas to nuclear. This raises critical questions not just for tech firms—but for all industries planning physical growth. Boards across sectors—especially manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and critical services—must now consider: ❓Will we have enough power to execute our growth strategy? ❓Should we secure PPAs or behind-the-meter solutions for reliability? ❓Are we factoring in AI-driven utility price pressure when assessing capital investments? From my experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors: when physical constraints lag strategic ambition, the cost is real—and compounding. 📌 Power planning is no longer an “operations” issue. It’s a board-level, strategic imperative. Infrastructure strain won’t just impact tech. It risks crowding out other sectors. Without forward-looking leadership, AI’s growth could become a zero-sum game—one where new facilities stall, costs spike, and essential services get left behind. Boards should be asking today: 🔹 Do we have line-of-sight into energy availability for our multi-year growth plans? 🔹 Who is accountable for long-term infrastructure planning—internally and with external partners? 🔹 What partnerships, contracts, or policy actions can protect us? The future isn’t just digital. It’s physical—and the clock is ticking.

Infrastructure gap no one's talking about: 60M aging transformers need replacement Those gray boxes on power poles? They're about to become the biggest roadblock to electrification. These unassuming devices—called distribution transformers—are the critical links that step down high-voltage power to the levels needed for your home. Without them, no electricity reaches your outlets. And according to new National Renewable Energy Laboratory data, we're facing a major supply crisis just as demand is set to soar. Here's why energy leaders need to pay attention: 1. The Aging Crisis Most US homes and businesses rely on transformers installed in the 1970s and 80s. Today, over 55% of our 60-80 million distribution transformers are past their expected lifespan. Normal replacement rates of 2-3% annually worked fine for decades. But that's about to change dramatically. 2. The Perfect Storm  - Every new EV charger needs transformer capacity - Heat pump adoption is spiking power demand - Data centers are consuming more power than ever - Solar and wind farms each need new transformers - Storms and heat waves are accelerating failures 3. The Supply Reality While demand for transformer capacity will grow 150-260% by 2050, domestic manufacturing is already struggling to keep up with current needs. Customization requirements and supply chain constraints mean we can't simply scale up production overnight. Here's the key insight: The success of building electrification, EV adoption, and the renewable transition all depends on having enough transformer capacity. The utilities who plan ahead for this infrastructure challenge will be the ones who thrive. #GridResilience #EnergyTransition #Infrastructure

When Aging Becomes Catastrophic: The Need to Revitalize Water Infrastructure Aging water systems intensify water insecurities, leading to public health crises, environmental degradation, and economic burdens. Deteriorating infrastructure results in contaminated drinking water, waterborne diseases, financial strain on health systems, rising operational costs, and increased water insecurity for industries, agriculture, and human health. A Global Concern: This issue affects both developed and developing nations. Key Disasters and Challenges: Infrastructure Failures: Aging systems frequently break down. In January 2025, Richmond, Virginia, faced a water crisis due to outdated equipment and deferred maintenance, leaving residents without water access. Contamination Events: Deteriorating pipelines and treatment plants raise contamination risks. In Jackson, Mississippi, years of underinvestment led to a crisis where residents lacked safe drinking water. Environmental Hazards: Failing wastewater systems release untreated sewage into natural water bodies. In Sydney, Australia, partially treated sewage continues to affect marine ecosystems and public health despite major investments. Challenges: -Climate Change: Aging infrastructure is vulnerable to extreme weather. In Tampa Bay, Florida, hurricanes continue to overwhelm outdated systems, causing flooding and contamination. -Labor Shortages: Skilled workers are scarce. In Texas, much of the water utility workforce is retiring, with too few trained replacements, risking service reliability. -Regulatory Gaps: Some privatized water companies avoid sufficient oversight, leading to underinvestment and service failures. Investigations in the UK have revealed significant environmental violations. -Economic Problems: Rising Costs: Infrastructure upgrades require substantial funding. Sydney Water plans rate hikes to fund a $26 billion improvement plan for aging assets and population growth. Debt Burdens: Many utilities take on massive debt for improvements. Thames Water narrowly avoided collapse after securing a £3 billion loan but still needs further investment to manage debt and fund upgrades. Economic Disparities: Rural communities struggle to maintain water infrastructure due to low revenue and artificially low rates, which limit financial stability and emergency response capabilities. The Need for Water Positive Solutions: Water Positive strategies are crucial in mitigating health risks from failing infrastructure. Conservation, reuse, and sustainable resource management enhance water security while reducing environmental and financial burdens. However, long-term resilience requires not only sustainability measures but also targeted investments in smart repairs, modernization, and proactive maintenance. Combining Water Positive strategies with infrastructure updates ensures a reliable and sustainable water future for all. #sustainability #water #waterpositive #watersecurity #SDG

Transmission bottlenecks and permitting hurdles hold projects in limbo The world is in the beginning stages of the fourth industrial revolution – energy – but it ain’t going to be easy. After decades of ignoring infrastructure needs and other issues, transmission bottlenecks, permitting hurdles, land constraints, and NIMBY-ism are holding up wind and solar projects in the US and other countries worldwide. In the US, Europe, and other countries, permission to connect to the grid can take five to ten years. In the US, developers are getting creative and hopping from queue to queue, trying to move projects along. The problem is global – in Europe, Africa, North, South and Central America, Japan, and even China, deployment of solar and wind is being held back by an aging utility infrastructure. In November, Australia, with its post-election focus on renewable deployment, announced a major expansion of its grid, primarily to support a rollout of renewable energy. The sad truth is that no country can realize its renewable goals without a significant investment in electricity infrastructure. Shades of the duck curve – new transmission alone will not solve problems created by a lack of grid capability. In the US and elsewhere worldwide, system operators have been warning that a rapid rollout of variable sources of electricity without storage would strain grid capability during peak electricity demand. Ten years ago, many experts considered storage too expensive; now, it’s a recognized necessity for the RE future. Solving the transmission problem and adding storage needs to go hand-in-hand with laws allowing homeowners and small businesses to self-consume during peak hours of electricity demand and providing incentives to offset the cost. Governments worldwide continue setting lofty RE goals without addressing the nitty gritty reality of variable resources, and it just is not working. A future where renewable energy technologies fulfill most (or all) of demand for electricity and heat calls for a complete revamping of utility business models, the energy infrastructure, laws, expectations, and technologies – this is the period of the energy revolution – the fourth industrial revolution – and it’s time for everyone to get on board.