As the global appetite for energy intensifies, the fundamental challenges of circuit protection and control are entering a new era—one that demands innovation to safeguard the stability and reliability of power systems. The rise of Gen AI applications and the exponential growth in data center computing are reshaping energy demand at an unprecedented pace. By 2030, global electricity consumption from data centers alone is expected to more than double to approximately 945 terawatt-hours (TWh)—surpassing the total electricity usage of Japan today [1]. At the same time, the accelerating transition to electric vehicles is poised to further strain existing infrastructure.
Meeting this surging demand will not be possible through traditional means alone. It will require a comprehensive approach that harnesses the full spectrum of generation sources—coal, natural gas, renewables, and nuclear. Compounding the challenge, we are witnessing a structural shift toward decentralization, with more energy generated closer to the point of use. Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are proliferating rapidly, and according to ExxonMobil’s Global Energy Outlook, solar and wind are projected to expand more than fourfold in the global energy mix by 2050 [2] and [3].
Yet while the transition toward a more distributed, renewable-heavy grid holds great promise, it also introduces a new layer of complexity. Traditional circuit protection, distribution, and control devices—circuit breakers, relays, contactors, fuses, and transfer switches—were designed for a simpler, more centralized grid. They are increasingly being pushed beyond their limits.
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