Latest news with #AftabKhan
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
UPSC Success Story: From Modelling To Rank 736, Meet Taskeen Khan
In 2022, Taskeen secured an All India Rank of 736 in the UPSC exam, joining the league of young officers shaping the country's governance. But her path wasn't straightforward. Before she ever opened a polity book, Taskeen was making waves on stage, winning Miss Dehradun and Miss Uttarakhand in 2016-17. With dreams of walking the Miss India ramp, she was poised for a glamorous future. Then life took a sharp turn. (News18 Hindi) Her father, Aftab Khan, retired around that time. With limited pension and mounting costs, her dreams of fashion and fame hit a hard wall. She had also cracked the entrance exam for NIT but had to forgo it, simply because the family couldn't afford the fees. A science student who consistently scored over 90% in both Class 10 and 12, Taskeen had always been academically inclined. In school and college, she wasn't just a model, she was also a basketball player and a national-level debater. (News18 Hindi) But it was an unexpected Instagram conversation that rewrote her future. A follower, preparing for the IAS himself, suggested she explore the UPSC path. Curious, she started digging. What she found changed everything. In 2020, she earned a place in the free residential coaching program run by Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi. She moved to the capital with little money and big ambition. The family, now based in Meerut, pulled through on her father's modest pension. (News18 Hindi) Against all odds, navigating financial pressure, emotional strain, and the weight of expectations, Taskeen stayed locked in. She prepped, revised, failed, and rose again. Her success isn't just about breaking into the civil services. It's a statement, that brains and beauty aren't mutually exclusive, and that grit outlasts glamour. (News18 Hindi) Today, she's not just a model or an influencer with a massive online following. She's a role model for thousands preparing for UPSC without privilege, without Plan B, just pure determination. Taskeen lives in Meerut with her parents Aftab and Shaheen Khan, and her younger sister Aliza. Her story is now doing the rounds on social media, not because she walked a ramp, but because she walked into the system. (News18 Hindi)
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Electricity demand expected to jump by more than 75% by 2050, report says
A dramatic demand for electricity, coupled with a rise in costs, could create massive energy challenges for the United States over the next two decades, a new report released Tuesday by ICF found. The global consulting and technology services company predicted that electricity demand could jump at least 25% in the next five years and as much as 78% by 2050 — findings that far outpace historical trends over the past two decades. Such growth could have a significant impact on both the reliability and affordability of electricity, the report said. Retail costs are also expected to rise; by 2050, costs passed onto the consumer could double, ICF found. "This is a pivotal moment as rising demand creates urgent challenges for the grid," said Anne Choate, ICF executive vice president for energy, environment and infrastructure in a statement. The U.S. could struggle with increased electricity demand due to rising temperatures and the growing use of emerging technologies, bearing down on an overloaded system. The report found that in Texas, nearly one-third of the expected increase is attributable to large load sources, such as cryptocurrency mining operations. Data centers, building electrification and semiconductor manufacturing, along with electric vehicles, account for 35% of the projected load through 2040 in 13 mid-Atlantic and Midwest states as well as Washington, D.C. Electric grid operators across the U.S. have been sounding the alarm in advance of elevated summer temperatures after record-breaking heat last year. The World Meteorological Organization said in its annual State of the Global Climate report that 2024 set a new global temperature record, averaging over 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The National Weather Service released a report last week predicting hotter-than-normal temperatures across the United States from June through August. PJM, one of the country's largest electric grid operators, serving 67 million people in states including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Michigan, warned customers in a news release that the system will be experience a high peak demand this summer. "This outlook at a record peak heat scenario reflects our years-long and mounting concerns as we plan for enough resources to maintain grid reliability," said Aftab Khan, PJM's executive vice president of Operations, Planning & Security, in a statement. The operator stressed it had adequate resources to respond to the demand and said it is planning for unusual scenarios and will react to them to "protect the electricity supply." Electricity costs are also expected to rise and outpace inflation, with experts predicting a jump of 6% in 2025 — an average of $784 per household for the summer period. That would mark a 12-year record, according to a new analysis from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. Households are not only expected to have to pay higher prices for electricity, they will likely consume more of it than they did last summer because of the need for more cooling. NEADA Executive Director Mark Wolfe told CBS News' MoneyWatch, "when electricity prices go up, they tend to stay high. " Watch: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asked what habeas corpus is in Senate hearing Rubio interrupted at Senate hearing during remarks on changes at State Department Car bomb outside Palm Springs fertility clinic was act of terrorism, officials say
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Electric grid operator warns of power outage risk as summer demand peaks in Ohio, NKY
Although unlikely, some "extreme scenarios" and weather this summer could result in insufficient energy to power Ohio and Northern Kentucky, an electric grid operator is warning. PJM Interconnection, which operates electrical transmission for Ohio and 12 other states, is forecasting summer energy use to peak at just over 154,000 megawatts. PJM should be able to able to supply enough power, according to the organization. PJM has around 179,200 megawatts of capacity this summer and around 7,900 megawatts contracted. But, unexpected drastic circumstances could put power supply at risk, according to PJM. And the National Weather Service is predicting a hotter-than-normal summer. In an extreme scenario, peak power load could reach more than 166,000 megawatts, which would set a record for the organization, according to PJM. Under such a scenario, PJM would rely on contracted programs to meet its needs. 'This outlook at a record peak heat scenario reflects our years-long and mounting concerns as we plan for enough resources to maintain grid reliability,' Aftab Khan, PJM executive vice president of operations, planning and security said in a press release. 'All resources within PJM's footprint should be prepared to respond when called upon.' PJM's record summer peak was set at 165,563 MW in 2006. In 2024, PJM's summer peak was about 152,700 megawatts, and in 2023 it was 147,000 megawatts, according to the organization. One megawatt can power about 800 homes, according to PJM. Although there may be enough power to go around this summer, Ohio could face an energy shortfall within two years if something isn't done to bolster the PJM electrical grid, according to a study released in February by the Ohio Business Roundtable. If something isn't done by 2027, blackouts during severe weather could become more common, energy costs may increase and businesses considering a home in Ohio may look elsewhere, Pat Tiberi, chief executive officer of the Ohio Business Roundtable has said. Data centers have been driving a lot of the increased demand for power in Ohio. Ohio's surge in data centers means the state could eat up so much electricity that demand for power in the Columbus region will be similar to all of Manhattan by 2030, according to American Electric Power. With 179 data centers, Ohio has the fifth most of any state in the nation, according to Data Center Map, which tracks them. The majority of Ohio's planned or operational data centers are owned by Amazon Web Services. Dispatch investigative reporter Max Filby can be reached by email at mfilby@ Find him on X at the handle @MaxFilby or on Facebook at @ReporterMaxFilby. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Electric grid operator warns of power outage risk ahead of summer
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Electric grid operator warns of power outage risk as summer demand peaks in Ohio, NKY
Although unlikely, some "extreme scenarios" and weather this summer could result in insufficient energy to power Ohio and Northern Kentucky, an electric grid operator is warning. PJM Interconnection, which operates electrical transmission for Ohio and 12 other states, is forecasting summer energy use to peak at just over 154,000 megawatts. PJM should be able to able to supply enough power, according to the organization. PJM has around 179,200 megawatts of capacity this summer and around 7,900 megawatts contracted. But, unexpected drastic circumstances could put power supply at risk, according to PJM. And the National Weather Service is predicting a hotter-than-normal summer. In an extreme scenario, peak power load could reach more than 166,000 megawatts, which would set a record for the organization, according to PJM. Under such a scenario, PJM would rely on contracted programs to meet its needs. 'This outlook at a record peak heat scenario reflects our years-long and mounting concerns as we plan for enough resources to maintain grid reliability,' Aftab Khan, PJM executive vice president of operations, planning and security said in a press release. 'All resources within PJM's footprint should be prepared to respond when called upon.' PJM's record summer peak was set at 165,563 MW in 2006. In 2024, PJM's summer peak was about 152,700 megawatts, and in 2023 it was 147,000 megawatts, according to the organization. One megawatt can power about 800 homes, according to PJM. Although there may be enough power to go around this summer, Ohio could face an energy shortfall within two years if something isn't done to bolster the PJM electrical grid, according to a study released in February by the Ohio Business Roundtable. If something isn't done by 2027, blackouts during severe weather could become more common, energy costs may increase and businesses considering a home in Ohio may look elsewhere, Pat Tiberi, chief executive officer of the Ohio Business Roundtable has said. Data centers have been driving a lot of the increased demand for power in Ohio. Ohio's surge in data centers means the state could eat up so much electricity that demand for power in the Columbus region will be similar to all of Manhattan by 2030, according to American Electric Power. With 179 data centers, Ohio has the fifth most of any state in the nation, according to Data Center Map, which tracks them. The majority of Ohio's planned or operational data centers are owned by Amazon Web Services. Dispatch investigative reporter Max Filby can be reached by email at mfilby@ Find him on X at the handle @MaxFilby or on Facebook at @ReporterMaxFilby. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Electric grid operator warns of power outage risk ahead of summer
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio's power grid operator warns of potential power shortages this summer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A power grid operator for Ohio and other states said plenty of resources are available to meet typical peak summer electricity demand but warned that there are 'extreme scenarios' in which generation capacity may fall short. PJM, a regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of electricity across Ohio and 12 other states, said it expects summer usage to peak at about 154,000 megawatts. The company said one megawatt can power about 800 homes. Ohio again ranks among worst states in country in list by U.S. News & World Report The company expects to have enough reserves to meet that demand, but noted it's the first time in PJM's annual assessment that 'generation capacity may fall short of required reserves in an extreme planning scenario that would result in an all-time PJM peak load over 166,000 MW.' The company is concerned about the imbalance of supply and demand due to the lack of building new resources and generator retirements. 'This outlook at a record peak heat scenario reflects our years-long and mounting concerns as we plan for enough resources to maintain grid reliability,' Executive Vice President of Operations, Planning and Security Aftab Khan said in a statement. 'All resources within PJM's footprint should be prepared to respond when called upon.' If the 'extreme scenario' were to happen, PJM would use 'contracted demand response programs' to meet its needs. 'Demand response programs pay customers who have opted in to reduce their electricity during system emergencies,' PJM said. Amendment to eliminate Ohio property taxes moves one step closer to voters The National Weather Service expects the summer months to be hotter than normal along parts of the East Coast. PJM said it has about 179,200 megawatts of generation capacity over the summer, plus another 7,900 megawatts of contracted demand response resources. PJM's long-term load forecast predicts a massive jump in peak demand over the next 15 years. 'This forecast captures the dramatic increases in future energy demand, as evidenced by the last two years when data center development has grown exponentially,' Khan said. AEP Ohio has blamed PJM for customer bill increases that will go into effect in June. PJM does not generate electricity, but coordinates how electricity is transmitted to help meet electricity demand. 'In a recent auction, the entire PJM region saw significant increases in the price of electricity generation capacity compared with previous auctions,' AEP Ohio stated. 'This cost is always passed to customers dollar-for-dollar, with no markup or profit for AEP Ohio.' Amendment to eliminate Ohio property taxes moves one step closer to voters AEP estimates that beginning in June, customers who use 1,000 kWh of electricity per month would see their monthly bills increase by about $27. Ohio lawmakers recently passed House Bill 15 — awaiting Gov. Mike DeWine's signature — which aims to address energy shortages and growing demand. It would also repeal the remaining portions of HB 6 (2019), which landed the state's former speaker of the House in federal prison. The remaining portions subsidize two Ohio Valley Electric Corporation coal plants on the backs of Ohio ratepayers. One of the plants is in Ohio, the other in Indiana. The Ohio Consumers' Counsel estimates that the amount Ohioans have paid since January 2020 is more than $464 million to date. Ohio Republican leaders have been at odds since the scandal unfolded about the remaining portions of the law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
