The quiet, almost imperceptible hum of electric cars and range top stoves is collectively getting louder. Much of the world is transitioning to green energy, and electricity demand is growing to record levels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. It is also straining the electric grid. How can governments adapt?

The Cost of Decarbonization

Transportation, cooking, heating and cooling are major sources of emissions — and huge opportunities for electrification. However, transitioning to an electric economy means building new power sources and transmission lines to handle the increased load on the energy grid.

The United States aims to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by at least 50% by 2030 compared to 2005. Meeting this goal will require expansive grid overhauls backed by strong government investments.

The last time the U.S. made a major investment in its grid was in 2009, when the Recovery Act earmarked $4.5 billion for grid modernization efforts. The country will need to spend $4.5 trillion over the next 10 to 20 years to decarbonize its energy infrastructure, and consumers will see higher bills in the process.

However, many energy grids are aging and need an upgrade anyway. Replacing outdated power plants, transmission lines and transformers will protect people against the blackouts and fires accompanying a crumbling energy infrastructure. A cleaner and more reliable grid will pay off in the future.

Distributing Energy

Wind and solar plants are the most common choices for renewable power in many areas because they harness free, abundant energy and have low environmental impacts. In the U.S., a 30% tax credit encourages homeowners to install solar panels on their homes, reducing strain on the grid.

However, weaning off fossil fuels is more complicated than building wind and solar farms near houses or in place of existing coal and natural gas plants. For maximum effect, engineers must establish plants in spacious windy and sunny locales, which are often far from major metropolitan areas.

To get energy where it needs to go — and to handle the additional power influx from these new renewable plants — governments must build many more electrical transmission lines.

The new lines must also be taller and spaced farther apart to insulate them from each other. Thicker cables can physically transport more energy across long distances. Improved transmission lines and networks mean solar energy from the sunniest parts of Texas can heat homes during an Illinois winter, distributing power where and when people need it most.

Building a new network of transmission lines will require widespread landowner support. Governments should plan to develop them before establishing renewable power plants since getting private landowner permission can be a long process. Without it, additional plants may be impractical.

Implementing Smart Grids

People tend to follow electricity usage patterns, so utility companies should invest in smart grid technology to help manage and distribute energy. For example, peak demand in the summer tends to be during the hottest parts of the day for schools, businesses and other public buildings. Power consumption also peaks in residential areas on winter nights.

Smart meters record energy consumption data and relay it to utility companies. This information helps manage customers’ usage, reduces expenses and prevents power outages. Interconnected smart grids allow everyone to charge an electric car and heat their homes with electricity during peak demand.

Sparking Change

Switching to green energy is a net positive for the environment and people. Although it will require significant investments, replacing power infrastructure with new transmission lines, wind farms and solar plants will allow electric transportation and home use to take off. Power grids are aging anyway — now is the perfect time to upgrade them and usher in an electric future.