Overview

As part of the National Security Policy Center’s 2025 Summer Internship, two teams of UVA student researchers synthesized the literature on energy infrastructure in the U.S. and China respectively for UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). This sweeping project produced three key resources: a backgrounder on power generation trends in the U.S. and China since 1950, literature reviews for each nation that offer in-depth insights and analysis, and extensive reviews of the sources that shaped these products. These documents will inform the NSDPI’s work as it conducts more specialized research in this field.

Backgrounder

Since the 1950s, the United States and China have taken divergent paths in power generation, transmission, and storage. The U.S. transitioned from coal to natural gas and renewables through market-driven innovation but now faces aging grid infrastructure and rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and data centers. China, by contrast, has pursued a state-led model, rapidly developing wind, solar, and battery storage while building the world’s largest ultra-high-voltage (UHV) transmission network. While the US invests in grid modernization and storage incentives, China’s centralized planning has focused on rapidly developing traditional and emerging energy technologies. These differences increasingly shape each country’s energy security, economic resilience, and geopolitical influence.

Power Generation Trends in the USA and the PRC: 1950-Today 

Literature Reviews

These literature reviews provide key insights on existing infrastructure, emerging technology, and energy policy, offering analyses that examine the past, present, and future of power generation for both the United States and the People’s Republic of China.

U.S. Power Infrastructure: A Survey on Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, Innovation, Policy, and Investment

Power Generation in China: A Survey on Current Grid Infrastructure, Policy, and Advancements Towards Energy Security

Source Reviews

These source reviews present a collection of academic references that informed the above research. Each entry includes a brief description outlining the scope and relevance of the material.

U.S. Team Source Review

China Team Source Review

U.S. Team

Eli Beaubien

Eli is a 2025 summer intern from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, who graduated in May of 2025 with a bachelor’s in politics and is currently pursuing a master’s of public policy & leadership. His areas of interest include national security and defense, foreign policy in the Middle East, emerging tech policy and sustainable energy. Upon graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in the national security field.

Colin Heffern

Colin is a 2025 summer intern and third-year from Paris, double majoring in Systems Engineering and Economics, with minors in Engineering Business and Applied Mathematics. He is passionate about emerging technologies, data-driven decision making, and impact investing. After graduation, he hopes to start his career at a leading multilateral financial institution focusing on sustainable development.

Cole Leis

Robert James May

RJ is a 2025 summer intern from Powhatan, Virginia; he majored in Political Theory and is in his second year of the Master of Public Policy program at the Frank Batten School. His areas of interest include artificial intelligence, emerging technology, cryptocurrency, and national security. Upon the completion of the MPP program, he hopes to pursue a career in consulting or in the national security field.

China Team

Dillon Clark

Dillon is a 2025 summer intern from Washington, D.C. and is double majoring in Politics and Economics. His academic interests include national security, defense, foreign policy, and law. After graduation, he hopes to enter public service, with the goal of working in policy and national security or pursuing a career in law.

Lucia Fogler

Lucia is a 2025 summer intern and rising third-year student from Richmond, VA majoring in Public Policy & Global Security with a minor in Chinese. Her policy interests include national security, defense, and foreign policy with an East-Asia focus. After graduating, Lucia hopes to pursue a career in the Foreign Service.

Charis June Lee

Charis is a 2025 summer intern and rising fourth-year studying Statistics and Public Policy & Leadership. Her areas of interest include data policy, national security, constitutional law, and human trafficking. After completing her Accelerated Master of Public Policy degree at the Batten School, Charis plans to pursue a career in public sector consulting or policy analysis.

Annalise Pereira

Annalise Pereira is a 2025 summer intern and rising third-year from Williamsburg, Virginia. She is majoring in Public Policy and Foreign Affairs with a minor in Chinese. Her academic interests include China-US relations and foreign policy. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in foreign service or national security.