AI data centres strain US power grid
Findings reveal a correlation between data centre activity and “bad harmonics,” highlighting risks to appliances, grid stability, and energy security in the wake of AI’s rising computational demands.

The increasing number of data centres powering AI could pose significant challenges for the United States power grid, as reported by Bloomberg. Findings indicate a connection between data centre activity and ‘bad harmonics,’ a term describing electrical power distortions that can damage appliances, heighten fire risks, and lead to power outages.
Bloomberg’s analysis, using data from Whisker Labs and DC Byte, revealed that over half of homes with the worst power distortions are located within 20 miles of active data centres. AI-driven centres, with their unpredictable energy needs, exacerbate these grid strains, pushing infrastructure beyond its designed limits.
Experts, including Aman Joshi of Bloom Energy, warn that no current grid can handle such intense load fluctuations from multiple data centres. While some utility companies question these findings, the report underscores the urgent need to address the interplay between technological expansion and energy stability.