U.S. utilities and grid operators are urging households to prepare for tighter electricity supplies, possible rolling blackouts during extreme weather, and new risks from large loads like data centers. Kind of Ironic that Energy News Beat lost power over the holiday and had a great dry run. Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend. As Energy News Beat had company, a storm rolled in on Energy News Beat, and only 900 people in its county were without power. As you have heard me say, it is better to prepare and walk through a crisis calmly, and your survival rate goes up. Just went through the normal procedures, pulled 3 of the buildings off the grid, and was about to sit down and watch a movie with the family when I realized there were some missing items in my backup plans. Its guest bedroom spot was not covered in the wiring plans, and it will be fixed very easily; I already have the Jackery unit picked out. I have not spent much, as I installed one set of buildings from a Frankenstein-type system, thinking I could put my own together cheaper, but I was wrong. I really learned how to install solar by doing it all as a project, and it worked, but I highly recommend using professionals or buying a Jackery System, coupled with gasoline, natural gas, or propane systems. Generac systems are fantastic because they plug straight into natural gas or large propane tanks, but they could still go out. You don't have to spend a lot for a great system anymore. A true hybrid mix for your house is ideal. Look at the amount of power needed to run a refrigerator, a freezer, heat, and cooking. Also plan on several weeks of water. Energy News Beat all need to prepare for longer, more frequent blackouts as demand has steadily increased over the last several years. The January 2026 NERC 2025 Long-Term Reliability Assessment (LTRA) finds the overall resource adequacy outlook worsening, with 13 of 23 assessment areas facing challenges over the next decade as demand from AI data centers and other large loads outpaces planned generation and transmission. Summer peak demand is projected to rise by more than 224 GW over 10 years - 69% higher than the prior forecast - while winter demand grows even faster at 245 GW. Most near-term additions are batteries and solar PV, which are weather-dependent and inverter-based, while fossil-fired retirements continue. This mix increases winter shortfall risks. NERC classifies several regions as High Risk (shortfalls possible even under normal peaks) or Elevated Risk (shortfalls more likely in extreme conditions) starting as early as 2026-2029 in areas including parts of MISO, SPP, PJM, ERCOT, the Northwest, and Basin. The report is a risk assessment based on mid-2025 industry forecasts, not a prediction of outages. It emphasizes expediting resources, managing retirements flexibly, and coordinating on large-load growth. The July 2026 data Center event: A near-miss across multiple states. A concrete example of emerging risks occurred on July 22, 2026, in Northern Virginia's "Data Center Alley." A transmission line fault prompted clusters of data centers to automatically switch to backup power, instantly removing roughly 3-3.8 GW of demand - about 3% of PJM's load at the time. Energy News Beat has talked about this on the ENB channel. This created a sudden surplus that caused voltage and frequency swings rippling across the Eastern Interconnection. Sensors detected disturbances from Northern Virginia to Chicago, with flickering lights reported in homes. The grid stabilized in about 10-11 minutes with no cascading blackout or customer outages, but PJM initiated a synchronized reserve event. Similar but smaller events happened in 2024 and 2025. PJM (serving 13 states and 67 million people) and Dominion Energy confirmed the data centers' own protection systems triggered the transfer; the utility did not shed load. Experts called it a warning: as individual campuses approach gigawatt scale, simultaneous "ride-off" behavior can stress the grid far beyond a local fault. NERC and FERC have flagged large computational loads as a reliability concern requiring better modeling, ride-through standards, and coordination. PJM is now considering ride-through requirements so data centers stay connected during minor disturbances rather than dropping off en masse. In extreme cases, operators may curtail large loads that lack their own contracted supply to protect residential customers. Texas lawmakers already granted ERCOT similar curtailment authority over new large loads to prevent emergencies. Major utility and grid operator messages. Exelon CEO Calvin Butler, whose company serves more than 10 million customers in the Northeast and Midwest (including PJM territory), warned in June 2026 that Americans could "absolutely" face power losses as early as 2027 due to plant shortages and surging demand. He noted the region came close to curtailing hundreds of thousands of customers during recent winter peaks. PJM has projected significant capacity shortfalls and is running emergency auctions while exploring backstop measures. Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and individual utilities continue standard storm and wildfire preparedness messaging: update contact information for outage alerts, stock emergency kits, and plan for medical needs. Western utilities use Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during high wildfire risk. In Texas, ERCOT posts seasonal updates emphasizing sufficient generation for expected conditions while reminding customers to contact local providers during outages. Texas ERCOT: lessons from winter storm Uri applied. Energy News Beat has covered this several times, and ERCOT has made substantial progress since the 2021 Uri disaster. Reforms include mandatory weatherization for generators and transmission (with thousands of inspections), firm fuel supply programs, expanded battery storage (now many times higher than in 2021), new generation, market upgrades such as Real-Time Co-optimization Plus Batteries (RTC+B) implemented in late 2025, and enhanced forecasting. Recent winter storms, including Fern in early 2026, produced far fewer forced outages than Uri despite higher peak loads. ERCOT reports high compliance on weatherization and has handled record demand without system-wide emergencies. Texas also created funding to speed reliability-focused resources and gave operators tools to manage large-load growth. Challenges remain from rapid demand increases, but the grid has proven more resilient. Practical recommendations for consumers. Utilities and emergency agencies consistently recommend household-level preparedness rather than waiting for rolling blackouts. Key steps include: Build a 72-hour (or two-week) emergency kit: one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights and extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA radio, first-aid supplies, cash, and important documents. Keep phones charged and have backup power banks. Register medical equipment needs with your utility so they can prioritize or advise during outages. Consider backup power: portable or standby generators (keep at least 20 feet from the house, exhaust pointed away, and never run indoors to avoid carbon monoxide), whole-home battery systems (often paired with solar), or portable power stations for critical loads like refrigerators, medical devices, lighting, and communications. Prioritize essential circuits. Practice energy efficiency year-round (thermostat settings, insulation, LED lighting) to reduce strain during peaks. Know how to manually open garage doors and have an evacuation plan if an outage makes the home unsafe. In wildfire-prone areas, follow PSPS guidance and consider the benefits of covered conductors or undergrounding where utilities offer such programs. Longer-term options include community microgrids or solar-plus-storage, but start with the basics. NERC recommends that industry, regulators, and policymakers expedite the deployment of resources that provide needed reliability services, keep retirement plans flexible, and leverage large-load flexibility during periods of stress. Consumers cannot control the resource mix, but they can reduce personal risk. The grid remains reliable under most conditions, and operators have tools to manage extremes. The combination of rapid demand growth, a shifting resource mix, and events such as the July 2026 data-center trip underscores why preparation matters for 2026-2027. One thing is certain: blackouts will happen. How you prepare is how short or how badly your family will be impacted. Take note that as Iran gets more desperate, Energy News Beat has already had over 30 water companies hit by cyberattacks this year. Very interesting, and having panels that consumers could plug in and get lower bills, or charge Jackery-type units, is smart. This really hit home while I was talking with Meredeth Angwin, the Electric Grandma. She is in a retirement building with no backups, which is bringing to light a huge issue for this group of Americans. That podcast is in production and rolling through. National Emergency Securing U.S. Bulk Power Sources and Supply Chains Energy News Beat has Doomberg and the CEO of Jackery on a panel discussion on Wednesday at 9:00 Central US. Here is the YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/gS0fVER55EI Appendix: Sources and links. * Additional coverage of ERCOT post-Uri reforms from Power Magazine, ERCOT reports, and Texas PUC documents.

Colocation best practices for business success. Unlock the full potential of your IT infrastructure. Discover colocation best practices for reliability, scalability, and cost-efficiency. By Brilliantel Editorial Team Maximising value: data centre colocation best practices for today's enterprise. In an increasingly digital world, a robust, resilient, and scalable IT infrastructure is not just an advantage; it's a fundamental requirement for business survival and growth. As South African enterprises navigate the complexities of cloud adoption, hybrid IT, and the exponential demand for data processing fuelled by AI, the strategic decision to leverage data centre colocation becomes more critical than ever. At Brilliantel, Brilliantel understand these challenges intimately and advocate for a best-practice approach to colocation that ensures your digital backbone remains strong, secure, and future-proof. The evolving landscape of data demand. The headlines from industry leaders like Capacity Global regularly underscore the immense pressures on global digital infrastructure. The growth of AI data centres, for instance, is creating unprecedented power demands, as seen with PJM's power shortfall in the US. This highlights a universal truth: adequate power, resilient grids, and efficient cooling are paramount. For businesses in South Africa, while the scale might differ, the principles remain the same. Colocation offers a pathway to access infrastructure designed to meet these escalating demands without the prohibitive capital expenditure of building and maintaining your own facility. Why colocation now? Colocation provides businesses with dedicated space for their servers and networking equipment within a third-party data centre. This model allows enterprises to maintain ownership and control over their hardware while offloading the complexities of facility management - power, cooling, security, and connectivity - to expert providers like Brilliantel. Key benefits include: * Cost Efficiency: Reduce CAPEX and OPEX associated with data centre ownership. * Enhanced Reliability: Leverage state-of-the-art infrastructure, redundant systems, and expert management. * Scalability: Easily expand compute and storage capacity as business needs evolve. * Superior Connectivity: Access dense ecosystems of network providers, cloud on-ramps, and peering points. * Focus on Core Business: Reallocate internal resources from facility management to strategic IT initiatives. Brilliantel's best practices for successful colocation. Selecting a colocation partner is a strategic decision that demands careful consideration. Here are Brilliantel's recommended best practices to ensure your colocation strategy delivers maximum value: 1. Rigorous due diligence on facility capabilities. Don't just look at rack space. Dive deep into the data centre's foundational infrastructure: * Power and Cooling: In the age of AI and high-density computing, power stability and efficient cooling are non-negotiable. Inadequate cooling, as exemplified by the incident where municipal water caused a week of downtime for a direct-to-chip cooling loop, can be catastrophic. Ensure your chosen facility offers N+1 or 2N redundancy for power and cooling systems, and has a clear strategy for managing high-density racks and advanced cooling techniques (e.g., liquid cooling support) if your hardware demands it. * Redundancy: Evaluate the redundancy levels across all critical systems - power (UPS, generators), cooling, and network. What are their uptime SLAs? How do they achieve them? * Physical Security: Assess multi-layered security protocols, including biometric access, 24/7 surveillance, and on-site personnel. Data centre security goes beyond physical entry; it includes environmental controls and access logging. 2. Connectivity ecosystem and network agility. Colocation isn't just about housing equipment; it's about connecting it. Your provider should offer: * Carrier Neutrality: Access to multiple network service providers allows for choice, redundancy, and competitive pricing. This is crucial for optimising latency and bandwidth. * Cloud On-Ramps: Direct, high-speed connections to major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) are vital for hybrid cloud strategies. * Interconnection Services: Ability to directly peer with partners, content providers, and other businesses within the data centre ecosystem. * Global Reach: For businesses with international ambitions, consider providers with extensive fibre networks and subsea cable access. Hyperscalers like Meta investing in new subsea cables (e.g., Aurora) underline the strategic importance of global connectivity for data-intensive operations. 3. Scalability and Flexibility for future growth. Your colocation agreement should anticipate future needs: * Modular Growth: Can you easily scale up rack space, power, and connectivity as your business grows without disruptive migrations? * Contract Flexibility: Understand contract terms, renewal options, and the ability to adjust services as your requirements change. * High-Density Support: As hardware becomes more powerful, ensuring the facility can accommodate higher power per rack and advanced cooling solutions is crucial for future-proofing. 4. Operational excellence and support services. The quality of the operational team is as important as the infrastructure itself: * 24/7/365 On-site Support: Immediate response to issues can prevent minor glitches from becoming major outages. * Remote Hands Services: Expert technicians available to perform tasks like reboots, cable installations, and hardware checks, saving you time and travel. * Monitoring and Reporting: Transparent monitoring of power usage, environmental conditions, and network performance. * Compliance and Certifications: Ensure the data centre adheres to relevant industry standards and certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, PCI DSS, SOC 2) pertinent to your business's regulatory obligations. 5. Cost transparency and total cost of ownership (TCO). Look beyond the sticker price: * Detailed Pricing: Understand all components of the cost - rack space, power (kW/rack, metered, or flat rate), cross-connects, remote hands, and any additional services. * Energy Efficiency: A data centre with high Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) indicates efficiency, which can translate to lower operational costs for you in the long run. Enquire about their energy sources and sustainability initiatives. The Brilliantel advantage. At Brilliantel, Brilliantel partner with leading data centre providers across South Africa and integrate these facilities into its robust, high-performance network. Its expertise ensures that your colocation strategy is not just about placing equipment, but about building a resilient, scalable, and cost-effective foundation for your digital future. Brilliantel guide businesses through the selection process, helping you evaluate facilities against these best practices, and providing the seamless connectivity that transforms colocation into a powerful strategic asset. Embrace the future of IT infrastructure with confidence. By adhering to these colocation best practices, South African businesses can unlock unparalleled reliability, performance, and agility, ensuring they are well-equipped to thrive in an ever-accelerating digital economy. Ready to explore how colocation can benefit your business? Contact Brilliantel today for a consultation with its experts. Data Center Colocation IT Infrastructure Business Continuity Connectivity

Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) asks FERC to reinstate advanced nuclear project after PJM drops it from interconnection cycle. Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission after grid operator PJM removed the company's advanced nuclear project from its interconnection study cycle. The dispute centers on Oklo's 750 MW mixed-technology generation project, designated "C01-1735," which combines advanced nuclear, natural gas, and fuel cell generation capacity. Oklo submitted its project data, signed agreement, and deposit information to PJM on April 27, 2026, for consideration in PJM's Cycle 01 interconnection queue. PJM subsequently identified deficiencies across six categories and directed Oklo to respond within ten business days or face removal from the study cycle. The six areas of concern identified by PJM were transformer information, generator information, project capability, point of interconnection, site control, and short circuit data. PJM's decision to withdraw the project from Cycle 01 carries significant consequences, with the company warning the move would result in a project delay of at least fourteen months. Oklo filed its complaint under FERC Docket No. EL26-101 on August 28, 2026, asking the regulator to direct PJM to reinstate the project in the current study cycle. The company also requested that FERC grant a waiver of certain tariff provisions to minimize disruption to Cycle 01 participants and preserve the project's timeline. Pre-construction work and site characterization activities are scheduled to begin in 2026, with the first phase of the project targeted to come online as early as 2030. Oklo has outlined plans to expand the facility incrementally, with the full build-out targeting a capacity of 1.2 GW by 2034, positioning it as a significant long-term power source. The project is located in Ohio, which sits within PJM's footprint, one of the largest electricity grid systems in the United States, giving the site strategic value in the national clean energy transition. The outcome of Oklo's FERC complaint could set an important precedent for how advanced nuclear developers navigate interconnection processes as demand for carbon-free baseload power accelerates.