The biggest problem is excessive use of air-conditioning. The output of power plants, blow transformer, and power lines can be affected by intense heat. According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, there has been a reduction in the availability of hydroelectric power.
It is not likely to get better in the near future. A number of grid operators may not be able to meet peak summer demand.
The nation's isolated and antiquated grids are in desperate need of upgrades to keep the lights, heat, and air-conditioning on in the midst of extreme weather events that climate change is making more common. Stitching the country's regional grids together with more long-range transmission lines is one way to ease these issues.
When customers crank up air-conditioners en masse, or when power plants or fuel supply lines fail, power can simply flow to where it's needed at those times.
There are a number of reasons why it is difficult to build more long-range transmission and grid interconnections.
The unreliability of the US grid has been going on for a long time. Thousands to millions of people have been without power due to heat and storms in the last few years.
The grids are fragmented and one of the fundamental challenges. There are three main electricity networks in the US. There are many regional transmission organizations within the first two systems.
The grids form a complex web of networks with limited connections between them.
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