On the physical side, floods, fires, and extreme heat events, which are increasingly posing physical threats to energy infrastructure. Today, on average, large US grid transformers, which are essential to electricity reliability, are past their designed lifespan, and the backlog for replacements is often three years or more. Another example—a far more devastating one—is Russia’s targeting of energy infrastructure in Ukraine. To address the growing demand for electricity, the United States must generate and deliver much greater quantities of electricity reliably, safely, and securely, all while limiting emissions. Anticipating future challengesThe truth is that the US electric system is not operating the way it was designed.