Infrastructure

Infrastructure

The Atlantic Council develops solutions across industry and policy to bolster infrastructure and thus strengthen global security, unlock economic prosperity, and increase geopolitical influence.

Recent analysis

Expanding transmission infrastructure to achieve low-cost, reliable, and abundant energy

Dispatches Mar 17, 2026

How the Iran war could trigger a European energy crisis

By Lisa Basquel

Refilling Europe’s depleted gas storage—already a difficult task given the continent’s efforts to stop purchasing Russian gas—is even more difficult now with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed.
Conflict Economy & Business
Expanding transmission infrastructure to achieve low-cost, reliable, and abundant energy

Dispatches Mar 13, 2026

Romania’s drone and energy plans with Ukraine make Europe stronger and more secure

Romanian President Nicușor Dan hosted his Ukrainian counterpart on March 12, underscoring Bucharest’s growing role in regional security.
Drones Geopolitics & Energy Security
Expanding transmission infrastructure to achieve low-cost, reliable, and abundant energy

Issue Brief Mar 3, 2026

Expanding transmission infrastructure to achieve low-cost, reliable, and abundant energy

By Ken Berlin, Frank Willey

With demand for electricity rising, the United States needs a long-term strategy to expand the power grid and improve energy reliability and affordability.
Energy & Environment Infrastructure
Expanding transmission infrastructure to achieve low-cost, reliable, and abundant energy

EnergySource Feb 25, 2026

Can Project Vault fortify the US industrial base against mineral chokepoints?

By Morgan D. Bazilian and Lt. Col. Jahara “FRANKY” Matisek

Project Vault will help the United States create a stockpile of critical minerals, but its success as a strategic asset will depend on its governance.
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Programs

The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

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Upcoming Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals

Past Events

Public Event Tue, March 17, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Transmission 2026: Durable infrastructure and regulations for a new digital age

Grid operators, regulators, and experts gather for a conversation on innovative strategies for the buildout and operation of power grids to accommodate new generators and historic demand growth, including from AI workloads.
Energy & Environment Energy Transitions United States and Canada
Public Event Tue, October 28, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

ABB’s Chairman Peter R. Voser on innovating for the electrified economy

Exploring how technology bridges energy supply-demand gaps while firms advance energy security, economic growth, and geopolitical objectives.
Artificial Intelligence Energy & Environment Energy Transitions United States and Canada
Flagship Event Tue, June 17, 2025 • 5:00 am ET

2025 Global Energy Forum

The ninth Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum was held on June 17 and 18 in Washington, DC.
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Public Event Thu, May 1, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Underwater mayhem: Countering NATO energy & critical infrastructure threats

The Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and Eurasia Center are co-hosting a hybrid discussion on the challenges of protecting NATO’s energy and critical infrastructure from physical sabotage perpetrated by Russia, centered around the launch of an insightful new report, “Underwater Mayhem: Countering Threats to Energy and Critical Infrastructure Across the NATO Alliance and Beyond”.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Europe & Eurasia European Union
Online Event Fri, April 18, 2025 • 5:30 am ET

Banking on Belém: Mobilizing finance for energy and nature in the Global South

Ahead of COP30, experts discuss the role of loan guarantees in boosting private investment in clean energy, nature, and the climate in emerging economies.
Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business Energy & Environment
Online Event Thu, March 20, 2025 • 3:00 am ET

Report launch: The role of nuclear energy in economic development

The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center hosts a virtual event to launch the report “Atoms for Appalachia: The role of nuclear energy in economic development.”

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
Public Event Tue, December 3, 2024 • 9:00 am ET

Transmission 2025: Prospects for reform in US grid permitting and planning

Experts discuss the policies, innovations, and investments that could drive the transmission buildout in 2025.
Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
Online Event Mon, June 12, 2023 • 4:30 am ET

Planning the energy transition: Global perspectives

Experts compare and analyze transmission planning strategies in the US, EU, Australia, and Canada and discuss how to improve the process around the world.
Australia Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
Online Event Wed, May 24, 2023 • 9:30 am ET

Building for the transition: Transatlantic lessons in permitting reform

Experts critically examine EU and US permitting and discuss key actions and pathways for effective regulatory and legislative reform.
Americas Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia European Union

Content

Issue Brief

Mar 3, 2026

Expanding transmission infrastructure to achieve low-cost, reliable, and abundant energy

By Ken Berlin, Frank Willey

With demand for electricity rising, the United States needs a long-term strategy to expand the power grid and improve energy reliability and affordability.

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

EnergySource

Feb 25, 2026

Can Project Vault fortify the US industrial base against mineral chokepoints?

By Morgan D. Bazilian and Lt. Col. Jahara “FRANKY” Matisek

Project Vault will help the United States create a stockpile of critical minerals, but its success as a strategic asset will depend on its governance.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Jan 12, 2026

How Venezuela’s future will help determine US diesel and trucking costs 

By Joseph Webster

The US intervention in Venezuela could have ripple effects on US diesel and trucking costs. The impact will fall disproportionately on rural areas.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Dispatches

Dec 22, 2025

Don’t solve the power reliability crisis by creating an affordability crisis

By Frank Willey

While energy reliability is critical, transmission planners and government entities must also prioritize cost-effectiveness.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Nov 25, 2025

How geothermal could enhance US energy security—if prioritized

By Paul Stahle

As electricity prices rise, US policymakers have an opportunity to accelerate geothermal's momentum and leverage its benefits.

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

EnergySource

Nov 18, 2025

Operationalizing the National Defense Industrial Strategy for great power competition

By Lt. Col. Jahara "Franky" Matisek and Morgan D. Bazilian

With Russia following China's lead in the rare-earth extraction roadmap, the United States must find solutions to stay competitive on the international stage.

China Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Oct 22, 2025

Data centers aren’t grid villains—they’re allies

By Nate Mason

Contrary to the perception that AI data centers are only adding strain to the US grid, the facilities are in a position to help address issues facing the electricity system.

Artificial Intelligence Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Oct 15, 2025

Solving the US military’s gallium dilemma requires turning trash into treasure

By Macdonald Amoah, Morgan D. Bazilian, Lt. Col. Jahara "Franky" Matisek, and Col. Katrina Schweiker

The metal gallium plays an outsized role in US war readiness—and China controls most of its supply. As geopolitical competition deepens, the United States needs a new playbook to fix this vulnerability.

China Critical Minerals

EnergySource

Oct 6, 2025

Why are major economies choosing the same electricity sources?

By Joseph Webster and Hansika Nath

Despite major economies' differing development and resource levels, many are turning to the same energy sources to meet their new electric capacity needs.

Brazil China

Issue Brief

Oct 3, 2025

Dissolving the fence: Improving utility privatization for defense installations’ resiliency

By Benjamin Byboth, Ariel Coreth, Travis Nels

US bases depend on increasingly vulnerable electricity systems. Utility privatization offers a key tool to ensure military installations' energy resilience.

Energy & Environment Infrastructure
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Experts

Fellow

Omran Al-Kuwari

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Fellow

Lee Beck

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment

Staff

Reed Blakemore

Director, Research and Programs

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Energy Transitions

Fellow

Neil Robert Brown

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy Markets & Governance Energy & Environment

Fellow

Benjamin Byboth

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Fellow

Andrea Clabough

Nonresident Fellow

Global Energy Center

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
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