Ship or Die at Accelerate 2025: Building the Grid From Scratch

America is on the brink of an energy crisis, and most people don't even know it. Alan Chang of Fuse Energy reveals the hidden emergency threatening to plunge the nation into darkness and presents an innovative solution that could reshape the future of power distribution.

Summary

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Alan Chang, representing Fuse Energy, delivers a compelling presentation on the looming power crisis in America. He highlights how the rapid growth of AI technology, data centers, and tech manufacturing is pushing the current power grid to its limits. Chang argues that the existing energy infrastructure, designed for a different era, is fundamentally flawed and unable to cope with modern demands.

The presentation outlines the stark reality of increasing power outages, which have risen by 93% in just five years. Chang emphasizes that this is just the beginning of a larger problem, with energy demand growing faster than ever before. He points out that the current grid system, where electricity is generated far from where it's needed, is inefficient and potentially dangerous.

Fuse Energy's solution involves creating a more responsive and adaptive energy network. By integrating batteries, thermostats, solar panels, and EV chargers into homes and buildings, they aim to create a system that can predict, adapt, and respond to energy needs in real-time. This approach promises to reduce grid congestion and increase resilience without the need for immediate large-scale infrastructure rebuilding.

Chang concludes by showcasing Fuse's commitment to renewable energy, revealing that they are already powering tens of thousands of homes in the UK with clean solar power and are expanding their renewable energy projects globally. He emphasizes the urgency of addressing the energy crisis and invites viewers to join their waitlist to be part of the solution.

Key Points:

The Hidden Energy Crisis

America is facing an unprecedented power crisis that most people are unaware of. The rapid growth of AI technology, data centers, and tech manufacturing is pushing the current power grid to its absolute limits. This invisible emergency threatens to disrupt modern life as we know it, with the potential for widespread blackouts becoming increasingly likely.

The crisis is rooted in the fundamental mismatch between our growing energy needs and an outdated power distribution system. As Chang points out, the progress made in the last century has been largely fueled by increased energy production and consumption. However, we've now hit a wall where demand is outpacing the grid's capacity to deliver.

The Flaws in Current Energy Infrastructure

Chang argues that there is a major fundamental flaw in our current energy system and policies. The existing grid wasn't built to handle the level of demand we're seeing today. In fact, the US added more energy demand last year than in the entire 1990s combined.

One of the main issues is that most electricity is generated far away from where it's actually needed. This leads to inefficiencies and vulnerabilities in the system. When everyone uses energy at the same time, the grid becomes congested, similar to rush hour traffic. This results in price spikes and, in worst-case scenarios, blackouts.

Fuse Energy's Innovative Solution

To address these challenges, Fuse Energy is proposing a revolutionary approach to energy distribution. Their solution involves creating a more responsive and adaptive energy network by integrating various smart devices into homes and buildings.

By adding batteries, smart thermostats, solar panels, and EV chargers to the energy network, Fuse aims to create a system that can automatically shift consumption and respond to grid events. This network would be coordinated by advanced algorithms, allowing it to predict, adapt, and respond to energy needs in real-time.

The Benefits of a Smart Energy Network

The smart energy network proposed by Fuse offers several advantages. It can reduce grid congestion without the need for immediate large-scale infrastructure rebuilding. When the grid is stressed, the network can adapt automatically, providing greater resilience to the overall system.

Moreover, this approach allows homeowners to participate actively in grid stabilization. By allowing their devices to respond to grid events, users can earn rewards while contributing to a more stable and efficient energy system. This creates a win-win situation where individuals benefit financially while helping to solve a broader societal challenge.

Fuse's Commitment to Renewable Energy

Chang also highlights Fuse's commitment to renewable energy sources. The company is already powering tens of thousands of homes in the UK with clean solar power. Furthermore, they are expanding their efforts globally, building solar, wind, and hydrogen plants around the world.

A key aspect of Fuse's approach is their pledge to reinvest 100% of their profits into building more renewable energy infrastructure. This commitment underscores the company's long-term vision for a sustainable and resilient energy future.

Facts + Figures

• Blackouts have increased by 93% in just five years
• The US added more energy demand last year than in the entire 1990s
• Bitcoin uses more electricity than the entire country of Netherlands
• Amazon's latest data center uses more power than 750,000 homes
• Tens of thousands of homes in the UK already use Fuse's clean solar power
• Fuse is reinvesting 100% of its profits into building more renewables
• The company is building solar, wind, and hydrogen plants around the world
• Fuse's network includes batteries, thermostats, solar panels, and EV chargers in homes and buildings

Top quotes

1. "There's an emergency happening right now. Can't feel it. Can't hear it. And you won't even know it's there until the light goes out."
2. "We live in a power limited world. The system we're using is stuck in the past."
3. "The grid wasn't built for this much demand."
4. "Now what if we can be programmed to predict, adapt and respond?"
5. "The energy emergency is invisible. Are you not?"
6. "We started Fuse because the energy industry has lost its urgency. So we built something from scratch."

Questions Answered

What is the main energy crisis facing America?

America is facing an unprecedented power crisis due to the rapid growth of AI technology, data centers, and tech manufacturing. This growth is pushing the current power grid to its absolute limits, threatening widespread blackouts and disruptions to modern life. The existing energy infrastructure, designed for a different era, is fundamentally flawed and unable to cope with these modern demands.

How has energy demand changed in recent years?

Energy demand has grown dramatically in recent years. According to Alan Chang, the US added more energy demand last year than in the entire 1990s combined. This rapid increase is largely driven by new technologies and industries, such as AI, data centers, and cryptocurrency mining. For instance, Bitcoin alone uses more electricity than the entire country of Netherlands, while a single Amazon data center can use more power than 750,000 homes.

What solution does Fuse Energy propose for the energy crisis?

Fuse Energy proposes creating a more responsive and adaptive energy network by integrating smart devices into homes and buildings. This includes adding batteries, smart thermostats, solar panels, and EV chargers to the energy network. The system would be coordinated by advanced algorithms, allowing it to predict, adapt, and respond to energy needs in real-time. This approach aims to reduce grid congestion and increase resilience without the need for immediate large-scale infrastructure rebuilding.

How does Fuse Energy's solution benefit homeowners?

Fuse Energy's solution allows homeowners to actively participate in grid stabilization while earning rewards. By allowing their smart devices to respond to grid events and shift energy consumption as needed, users can help stabilize the grid and prevent blackouts. In return, they receive financial incentives. This creates a win-win situation where individuals can benefit financially while contributing to solving a broader societal challenge.

What is Fuse Energy's commitment to renewable energy?

Fuse Energy demonstrates a strong commitment to renewable energy sources. They are already powering tens of thousands of homes in the UK with clean solar power and are expanding their efforts globally. The company is building solar, wind, and hydrogen plants around the world. Moreover, Fuse pledges to reinvest 100% of its profits into building more renewable energy infrastructure, underscoring their long-term vision for a sustainable and resilient energy future.