T&D World Live Podcast: The Need for Speed
The Need for Speed: Listen Now!
As artificial intelligence accelerates demand for data processing and cloud computing, electric utilities and grid operators are facing unprecedented pressure to deliver reliable, affordable power at massive scale. In this episode of the T&D World Live Podcast, Managing Editor Jeff Postelwait speaks with Deloitte’s Kate Hardin, Executive Director of the Research Center for Energy and Industrials, and Deloitte's Tom Keefe, Vice Chair and U.S. Power, Utilities and Renewables Leader about how the rapid expansion of data centers is reshaping the energy industry.
The conversation explores the sheer scale of projected data center growth, with Deloitte forecasting U.S. data center demand rising dramatically over the next decade. Hardin and Keefe discuss how larger, more energy-intensive facilities are testing grid reliability, driving new investment in generation and transmission, and creating urgent workforce challenges across both the utility and technology sectors.
The episode examines several key themes, including the role of energy efficiency in modern data centers, the emergence of advanced cooling technologies, and how AI itself may help utilities optimize energy flows and improve grid flexibility. The guests also dive into labor shortages and the growing competition for engineers, technicians, power plant operators and nuclear specialists as utilities and hyperscalers increasingly recruit from the same talent pool.
Nuclear power emerges as a major topic throughout the discussion, with the guests outlining how AI-driven electricity demand is helping fuel renewed interest in existing nuclear plants, plant life extensions, small modular reactors and advanced nuclear technologies. The conversation also covers whether technology companies may become more directly involved in power generation and grid infrastructure as they seek faster pathways to secure electricity for new facilities.
In addition, the episode highlights the importance of collaboration between utilities, data center developers, educational institutions and industry organizations to expand workforce training programs and attract new talent into the energy sector. Hardin and Keefe argue that despite the challenges ahead, the convergence of AI, electrification and infrastructure investment is creating one of the most dynamic periods the power industry has seen in decades.
About the Author
Christina Marsh
Senior Editor
Christina Marsh is senior editor of T&D World at Endeavor Business Media (EBM), responsible for managing, editing, and contributing to the print issue production in addition to e-newsletters and digital content including podcasts. Previously, Christina was editor of Airport Business at EBM where she was responsible for contributing editorial support for the magazine, writing and compiling e-newsletters as well as contributing to digital content including producing video and podcasts. Before working with EBM, Christina was a multimedia journalist and podcast producer at The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). She graduated with a B.S. in journalism from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.