酷热天气导致美国电网不堪重负，部分地区批发电价飙升

Core Insights - The aging U.S. power grid is under significant pressure due to extreme heat, leading to soaring wholesale electricity prices in the Eastern U.S. [1][3] - On a recent Monday, Boston's real-time wholesale electricity price surged from under $50 per megawatt-hour to over $400, while New York City saw prices reach $600 per megawatt-hour [3] - The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order for specific generators to operate at maximum output to mitigate the risk of blackouts in the Southeast due to high temperatures [3] Industry Challenges - The North American Electric Reliability Corporation warned that up to 89 million Americans could face electricity supply shortages this summer due to the shutdown of aging power plants and increased demand from extreme heat [3] - The American Society of Civil Engineers rated the overall infrastructure of the U.S. as a C, with energy infrastructure receiving a D+, indicating that most facilities are below standard and nearing the end of their lifespan [3] Future Demand Projections - The U.S. power grid faces challenges from projected significant increases in electricity demand, with peak demand expected to rise by 15% in summer and 18% in winter by 2034 [4] - The rapid growth of electric vehicles and AI data centers is anticipated to increase electricity demand from 17 gigawatts in 2022 to 35 gigawatts by 2030 [4] - The New York Times highlighted that the current U.S. power grid is "strained" due to insufficient transmission line construction, which hampers distribution during peak usage [4]