Most Americans use an extraordinary amount of electricity without thinking much about it. You may have

several chargers plugged in for your phone, laptop, and other electronics right now. In your

kitchen, appliances like your fridge, microwave, and oven also require electricity.

When you switch on the lights, you expect them to come on, and for the most part, everything

works as we want it to. But the more things we plug into the country's power grid, the more

strained it becomes. Demand for electricity in the U.S. is steadily rising for the first time in more than a decade,

and our power grid isn't built to handle it. The U.S. and Israel's war with Iran has also thrust

the world into the largest energy crisis in history because of blockades in the street of Hormuz,

which is a channel 4 fifth of the world's oil and natural gas. Now, there is a bright spot for those concerned about the climate crisis.

Last year, marked the first time since 1919, that renewable energy produced more of the world's electricity than coal.

That includes solar, wind, nuclear, hydro, and geothermal energy.

Clean energy also met all new global energy demand

growth. That's according to a recent report from Ember Energy, an independent global energy think tank

focused on the transition to clean energy. I'm Jen White. You're listening to the 1A podcast.

Today, what's at risk if the power grid can't keep up with our growing energy demands in the U.S.

And what role is clean energy playing in meeting those demands, especially as the war in Iran highlights the uncertainty of relying on oil and gas?

Answers to those questions and more right after this short break. Stay with us.

Welcome back to the 1A podcast. We're talking about the U.S. power grid and the rising demand for electricity. Joining us is Robinson Meyer. He's the founding executive editor at HeatMap News. Robinson,

it's great to have you back. It's great to be here. Thanks so much.

Also with us is Ben King. He's the director of energy and climate practices at Rodium Group.

That's an independent research provider. Ben, welcome to the program.

Thanks, Jen. Happy to be here. So, Ben, let's just start with the basics. What is the power grid and how does it work in the U.S.?

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