Our rising energy demand, explained, with Kelly Barr and Gary Dirks

Energy demand is surging. To understand what’s driving it and how we’re going to meet it, I’m joined by energy veterans Kelly Barr and Gary Dirks from the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. They explain the complicated nature of energy planning, why nuclear energy is getting another look and why when it comes to navigating our energy future — reliability is king.

Further reading:

• Analysis from the International Energy Agency
• Reports from the U.S. Energy Information Administration
• RMI research and analysis

• EPRI
• California Burning by Katherine Blunt

Learn more about Energy Forward, a unit of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University.

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky or visit us at research.asu.edu.

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Episode credits

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted by Pete Zrioka

Shot by Alexander Chapin

Edited by Alexander Chapin

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Social media by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Clips

The growing environmental impact of AI data centers’ energy demands — PBS News Hour

How AI is driving a sharp rise in electricity bills — PBS News Hour

NBC 5 Responds: Soaring energy bills — NBC 5 Chicago

POWER CRISIS: Electricity demand SURGES as AI takes over — Fox Business

Inside the numbers: How data centers are increasing energy use — ABC15 Arizona