Sudden power outages while watching a series or playing a game become a common problem that annoys viewers and users alike. Although the duration of interruptions varies, they often remain unpredictable. Typically, storms, infrastructure issues, or sudden power fluctuations trigger this situation; however, recently, especially in the United States, different claims aimed at explaining these outages have come to the forefront.
Data from the Energy Information Administration shows that as of May 2025, the average cost per household for electricity has reached 17.47 cents. This figure indicates an approximate 6.5% increase compared to May 2024 and points to rising consumption as well as prices. Analyses by Bloomberg emphasize that artificial intelligence plays a significant role in this rise. It not only increases demand but can also cause outages and grid problems.
Regarding the load on data centers, experts such as Whisker Labs and DC Byte state that massive data centers supporting AI applications place tremendous pressure on electrical infrastructure. Ting sensors, normally used to prevent fires, also detect irregularities in electrical currents. These disruptions, called harmonic distortions, reduce energy efficiency, damage relevant devices, and can trigger voltage fluctuations. Bloomberg reports indicate that these issues are more pronounced in places like Northern Virginia, Chicago, and other cities with dense data center activity. Particularly, millions of people living within 80 kilometers of these data centers are affected.
The importance of power quality is not limited to device malfunctions caused by voltage drops; it also increases the risks of overheating and electrical fires. This situation raises concerns regarding home security. Energy restrictions may be implemented in some regions, and limitations on which devices can be operated at home could be considered.
Steps are being taken to overcome these challenges. In Virginia, data centers are establishing dedicated transformer stations to protect residential areas. Initiatives like Exowatt focus on supporting data centers with modular and clean energy solutions. In the long term, discussions even consider unconventional energy sources such as seawater, urine, or plastic waste as potential fuels.
