Power supply is a hot topic, not only because businesses and individuals are heavily reliant on electricity but because increasingly frequent and extreme weather events are responsible for a growing number of outages.

As technology advances, so too does the need for reliable energy sources, particularly where the burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) market is concerned.

As more businesses invest in AI, they need to know that the facilities and machinery supporting AI systems aren’t at risk of going offline during seasonal storms and extreme temperature situations. Can the current power grid meet the demand?

With innovative new power supply solutions like microgrids, US-based businesses have the chance to bridge the gap.

Increasing Demand on an Outdated System

The problem lies not in the current power grid being incapable of handling demand — the supply is adequate for current needs and even predicted near-future demand. The more pressing concern is providing the uninterrupted supply required for advancing computing technologies.

The US alone is home to thousands of data centers housing cloud computing equipment that supports AI technologies. If power outages interrupt service, they can take content and computing capabilities offline. For many tech companies, downtime is considered unacceptable.

It doesn’t matter that Mother Nature is to blame for the growing number of extreme storms, fires, heat waves, and cold snaps knocking out power. Businesses banking on AI investments need assurances of reliable power, and they’re willing to go outside the country to find it.

The Future of AI Dominance

Chip maker Nvidia recently made headlines by partnering with two of India’s top industrial conglomerates, Tata Group and Reliance Industries Limited, to build infrastructure intended to support AI applications. This highlights a growing concern in the US about failures to scale up energy solutions that assuage the concerns of tech companies.

According to Allan Schurr, Chief Commercial Officer of Enchanted Rock, “Delays in adding new transmission and generation capacity, which can range from three to 10-plus years, will force companies to seek out alternative locations to support AI infrastructure.” The U.S. may be behind, but it isn’t out of the game yet.

Microgrids Offer a Solution for a More Reliable Power Supply

Enchanted Rock is an energy tech company creating onsite generation solutions to fill gaps in the power supply tages.

Enchanted Rock microgrids are small, localized grids that draw on reliable natural gas infrastructure to kick in when the power goes out, improving significantly on the performance of common diesel generators that require frequent refueling and often aren’t well-maintained.

Microgrids offer convenient, uninterrupted power that could keep computing systems operational and AI technologies online. H-E-B stores in Texas have demonstrated the positive impact of installing microgrids, keeping their power on and operations running  after recent outages from Hurricane Beryl.

Businesses Drive Demand for New Power Sources

Although the US lags behind other countries capitalizing on infrastructure investments geared toward tech expansion like AI, businesses are taking steps to meet their own power needs. Companies like Enchanted Rock are working with clients to create the dedicated backup systems needed to complement the existing supply and ensure power when outages occur.

To learn more, read the original article on PYMNTS.