By Peter Ferrell, Senior Director, Government Relations
Congress has had an eventful return from its August recess. At the top of the priority list for lawmakers is the challenge of ensuring America’s energy grid can meet surging energy demand from AI and data centers, domestic manufacturing, electrification, and economic growth.
Against this backdrop, NEMA joined The GridWise Alliance to host the 2025 Congressional Grid Innovation Expo on September 17 at the Rayburn House Office Building. Held in collaboration with the bipartisan Congressional Grid Innovation Caucus, the event brought together members of Congress, staff, agency experts, and industry leaders to showcase the technologies and solutions essential for keeping the lights on and strengthening our grid.
Tackling Once-In-A-Generation Energy Demand Growth
This year’s expo could not be more timely. NEMA’s April 2025 grid reliability study projects electricity demand will grow by as much as 50 percent by 2050. As NEMA President and CEO Debra Phillips emphasized at the Expo, “energy demand is accelerating at an unprecedented pace – driven largely by AI data centers, but also by the electrification of industry, homes, and transportation,” and demands immediate action.
Acknowledging the gravity of the challenge, Congressional Grid Innovation Caucus Co-Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) remarked, “Being here matters, because we need more energy in this country.” Echoing his sentiment, Caucus Co-Chair Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) urged greater coordination and collaboration between the public and private sectors, encouraging Expo attendees to “stay open-minded about energy sources and how we use them” and “embrace innovation” as we seek bipartisan solutions to energy security and affordability for communities across the country.
Industry Solutions on Display
The 2025 Grid Innovation Expo featured 16 exhibitors, including NEMA’s Make It AmericanTM program. These companies – ABB, ConnectDER, Eaton, HICO America, GridWrap, Hitachi Energy, Hubbell, Inc., IND Technology Inc., LineVision, Phoenix Contact, Prolec GE, S&C Electric Company, Schneider Electric, Siemens Corp., and Siemens Energy, Inc. – demonstrated solutions that are making the grid stronger, smarter, and more resilient. From grid-enhancing technologies that expand transmission capacity to advanced energy storage systems for on-site power needs, NEMA members showcased how they are delivering the tools necessary to modernize infrastructure while maintaining reliability and affordability.
Convergence of Government and Industry Priorities
The Expo also coincided with the U.S. Department of Energy’s request for input on “Accelerating Speed to Power/Winning the Artificial Intelligence Race” – an initiative building on the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan.
This underscores a central point: U.S. manufacturing, energy, and AI leadership depends upon rapidly expanding grid capacity to meet electricity demand growth from data centers, advanced manufacturing, and other large energy uses.
Looking Ahead
The technologies showcased at the 2025 Congressional Grid Innovation Expo represent more than just innovative products – they’re essential tools for ensuring America maintains its competitive edge in manufacturing, AI leadership, and economic prosperity while building a more resilient future. NEMA will continue to work alongside Congress, federal agencies, and industry partners to ensure these solutions are deployed at scale and speed, securing America’s economic future.
