U.S. power grid

A 60 Minutes report examines how the race to build artificial intelligence is driving a rapid expansion of data centers across the United States, and the growing resistance from communities where the facilities are being built. Residents have raised concerns over energy demands, water use, noise and strain on local power grids, turning data center approvals into a contested political issue in towns across the country.

A commission says it will examine the strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and assess corresponding vulnerabilities in the United States power grid. The move links the war in Ukraine to concerns about the resilience of American energy systems, with officials expected to review what the attacks reveal about risks to critical infrastructure and how similar threats could be addressed at home.

Data centers, power plants and chip facilities for artificial intelligence are being built across the United States at a pace that could surpass any previous infrastructure boom in the country's history. Analysts point to massive capital commitments from tech companies racing to secure computing power, raising questions about electricity demand, grid strain and whether the investment will pay off.

A new fuel cell technology is being reported as a possible way to relieve growing strain on the United States power grid. Rising electricity demand from data centres and electrification has put grid reliability in the spotlight, and fuel cells are being discussed as a cleaner, distributed source of backup and supplemental power.

Investors and analysts are watching the U.S. midterm elections for their potential to lift solar, energy storage system (ESS), and power equipment stocks. The expectation is that election outcomes could shape energy policy in ways favorable to renewable energy companies. South Korean media flagged the story, suggesting interest from Korean investors with exposure to U.S.-listed green energy shares.