Blackout risks are rising – why neighboring power grids can’t just send extra electricity where it’s needed

Western states are figuring out how to make electricity-sharing work, but it isn’t easy. Texas learned that the hard way.

By: Sufan Jiang, University of Tennessee; Nanyang Technological University and Fangxing Fran Li, University of Tennessee, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: May 27, 2026

Words: 1,327

Last Updated: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

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By Sufan Jiang, University of Tennessee; Nanyang Technological University and Fangxing Fran Li, University of Tennessee

Extreme weather is posing a growing threat to the power supplies Americans rely on.

In 2021, a fierce winter storm left millions of Texans without electricity and water for days. Hurricane Helene in 2024 knocked out power to about 5 million customers across the U.S. Southeast.

Beyond the immediate human and economic toll, major blackouts like these …

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