US heatwave to test power grid amid soaring AI-driven energy demand

A dangerous heat wave was forecast to push temperatures above 38C (100F) across the central and eastern US around the Fourth of July, testing power grids as electricity demand approached record levels. Al Jazeera reported the strain is compounded by energy-intensive AI data centers. It cited research documenting a 'data heat island effect' raising local land-surface temperatures by up to 9C near some facilities.