Pew has issued a new report looking at the evolving electricity grid through the lens of industrial efficiency, concluding the grid is quickly being modernized – but perhaps not fast enough. Power outages cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars each year, and the high number of grid disturbances put the country’s electric system in weak company.

The United States had 300 electric grid disturbances from 2011-2013, “more than any other developed nation,” Pew said. And from 2000 to 2014, Pew found outages increased 600%, from about 2.5 to almost 18 disruptions a month, costing businesses $150 billion annually.

“Although there is no doubt that aging, antiquated power infrastructure contributes to the increased number of outages, the rise in the number and intensity of weather events is also a major contributing factor,” Pew said.

But the outlook is positive, the firm said. Behavioral and economic shifts are driving the adoption of greener and more distributed energy, “putting pressure on businesses and policymakers to adapt to the evolving marketplace…

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