The Missing Machine is a visual exploration of the power transmission grid — a vital but often-overlooked component of the fight against climate change. The world’s power grids have been called the largest and most complex machines humanity has ever built. Yet new transmission lines are increasingly challenging to build in the United States — especially the long-distance multi-state lines needed to connect clean energy from more remote areas to the grid.

Despite the current challenges, much more transmission will be needed. Reducing emissions across the economy will require converting vehicles, factories, and buildings from fossil fuels to electricity. New and upgraded transmission lines will be essential in this effort — linking new clean energy to the grid and ensuring it can handle growing demand from electrification. Globally, an estimated 4.5 million miles of new or upgraded transmission lines are needed by 2050 for countries to hit their climate goals, with the US grid approximately doubling in capacity during that time period. Ultimately, all efforts to shift to a cleaner energy system will require expanding the massive machine that is the power grid.