Tech meets the heatwave

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Hi everyone,

If you’re in the UK like me, you’re probably struggling with our first heatwave of the summer.

Every summer seems to bring new heat records, and with them, new pressure is being placed on our power grids. When demand for cooling surges, energy systems worldwide are pushed to their absolute limits.

And while the risks are serious, there’s a growing wave of innovation focused on helping our energy infrastructure adapt, using tech that’s already available, already in place, and in many cases, already working.

This week, I’m looking at the crossover between summer heat, grid stress, and the smart tech helping keep the lights on when it matters most.

The Heatwave Problem

The basic issue is that extreme heat puts a massive strain on our energy systems.

When temperatures spike, so does energy demand, mostly because of air conditioning. The problem is that this spike typically happens in the late afternoon or early evening, right when solar power is dropping off and the grid is already strained. Add in heat-related losses in transmission lines, and in some places, things start to break down fast.

This isn’t just about keeping comfortable; grid failures can be a real danger during intense heat waves, especially for elderly or vulnerable populations who depend on reliable cooling to stay safe.

Smarter Homes & Lighter Loads

One of the most impactful changes we’re seeing is happening right at home.

Smart thermostats like Google Nest or tado° are helping shift cooling to less stressful hours. By pre-cooling homes before peak demand hits, they ease the load on the grid when it needs help most. Even better, many utilities now offer programs that pay users to allow small, automated changes during peak periods.

These “demand response” programs are simple, unobtrusive, and surprisingly effective. They don’t work by generating more power, just by using it more wisely.

Cooling Communities

It’s not just smart homes that are stepping up. Cities are now building cooling resilience into public infrastructure.

From Madrid to Melbourne, we’re seeing public libraries, schools, and community centres transformed into cooling hubs, such as those powered by solar panels and supported by battery backups. These spaces serve a dual purpose: providing comfort in the short term and emergency relief when things go wrong.

Meanwhile, microgrid pilots in places like Japan and California are proving that entire neighbourhoods can stay powered during outages, thanks to local solar generation and intelligent load balancing software.

Storage Is the Secret Weapon

Battery storage, both in homes and at grid scale, is rapidly becoming one of the most important tools for managing heat-induced grid stress.

At the utility level, batteries can fill in the gaps when demand is high and renewables drop off. In California, for example, battery storage has already overtaken hydro in supplying evening peak power.

And at the household level, residential systems allow solar users to store energy during the day and use it when they need it most, easing pressure on the wider system in the process.

AI Making Grids Smarter

I can’t talk about energy grids without mentioning possibly the biggest shift of all - the software that keeps things running.

Grid operators are now using AI and predictive analytics to anticipate spikes in demand and make quick adjustments across entire networks. These systems can identify overloaded lines, redirect power flows, and even work with smart appliances and EV chargers to automatically reduce strain.

The result is a grid that doesn’t just react to stress, it sees it coming and adapts in real time to avoid issues.

What We Can Do

Even small changes at the individual level can make a difference. Here are a few simple ways to lighten the load:

• Run energy-intensive appliances like dishwashers and washing machines early in the morning or late at night.

• Use fans to supplement your AC as they cool people, not rooms, and use a fraction of the energy.

• Look into demand response or time-of-use energy plans from your energy provider.

• Consider installing a smart thermostat or home battery system if it fits your setup.

Smarter Cooling for a Hotter World

As the planet warms, our energy challenges are only going to grow. But so is our toolkit of technology to help manage things.

From predictive software and demand response to smart cooling systems and solar-powered neighbourhoods, the future isn’t about choosing between comfort and sustainability; it’s about using the right tools at the right time to find a balance.

Because sometimes the smartest way to power through a heatwave isn’t more energy, it’s just better timing.

Catch you next week,
James

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