# Industry leaders say AI data center boom is opening paths to modernize US grid

- Published: 2026-10-27T22:55:41.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-28T10:02:36.767Z
- Section: Market
- Topics: Hardware
- Page: https://aidailyjournal.com/en/n/2026/10/27/industry-leaders-say-ai-data-center-boom-is-opening-paths-to-modernize-us-grid/
- Sources: [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/27/the-data-center-boom-has-an-upside-innovation-for-the-us-grid)

## Summary

AI data center growth is increasing energy demand and could strain the US power grid, bringing risks of higher bills, outages and other technical problems. At TechCrunch Disrupt, however, Apoorv Bhargava of WeaveGrid, Tim Heidel of Veir and Kristin Eberhard of Rewiring America said the new demand is also creating urgency and room for modernization, alongside expanding transmission lines and centralized power plants.

WeaveGrid develops software to help utilities manage loads and optimize connections, while Veir makes superconductive power lines that, according to the company, can carry energy five times farther and require 20 times less space than traditional lines. Veir raised $110 million in a Series C round earlier this month, according to TechCrunch. Eberhard said the moment is encouraging industries to adopt solutions that had previously been left aside.

## Why it matters (editorial interpretation)

AI data center expansion could strain the US power grid, but it is also creating urgency around load management, new transmission lines and other modernization efforts. Veir’s case illustrates how this demand is attracting capital to infrastructure technologies, according to TechCrunch.

_Summary written by AI Daily Journal in its own words, based on the sources above. For details, read the original articles._