The exponential rise in data center demand is reshaping the energy landscape across the United States. From hyperscale data centers to colocation facilities, these high-density loads are placing unprecedented pressure on transmission and distribution networks. This workshop will explore the implications of rapid data center expansion, focusing on load growth, grid reliability, policies, and the evolving role of utilities in managing this complex and landscape. Attendees will gain practical insights into the technical challenges of integrating and operating these high-demand facilities into the grid, strategies for optimizing infrastructure investments, and solutions for mitigating reliability risks.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the impact of data center load growth on grid stability, reliability, and capacity.
• Technical strategies for grid operators and utilities to accommodate hyperscale and edge data centers
• Best practices for planning, forecasting, and managing rapid load growth while maintaining reliability.
• The role of distributed energy resources (DERs) and grid modernization in supporting data center power demands
• Insights into regulatory frameworks, permitting challenges, and cost-sharing mechanisms in large infrastructure projects.

Opening Keynote Session- Anuja Ratnayake, Emerging Technologies Executive, EPRI

The workshop will include the following panel presentations: 

Planning to Solve the Current and Impending Power Gap

The data-driven society we live in has placed data centers and utilities at a crossroads: how can data centers expand operations with reliable power, and how can the utility supply it? The answer includes rethinking power options for the short and medium term and developing innovative solutions.

Joined by guest panelists Brian O’Hara from CloudHQ, Matt Chambliss from Aligned Data Centers, and Caterpillar’s Matt Spitznagle and Dean Musser, we will explore how to evaluate short-term to permanent solutions. We’ll highlight the various ways, including leveraging bridge-to-grid projects, you can deliver more power to data centers.

Speakers: Dean Musser, Matt Spitznagle, Brian O'Hara, Matt Chambliss, Stacey Doré, Melissa Busen

Racing to meet cloud computing demands: A collaborative approach for data centers and utilities

The objective of this panel is to facilitate a collaborative conversation between data center & cloud computing entities and electric utilities in the United States, focusing on developing a mutually beneficial partnership to address grid capacity constraints while efficiently integrating renewable energy sources. The panel will emphasize the growing impact of AI-driven cloud computing needs on data centers and explore how grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) and dynamic line ratings can support sustainable solutions.

Speakers: Julia Selker, Sai Vijayaraman, Hilary Pearson, Aaron Winter

How a strategic partnership helps Oncor meet existing demand and future growth

The rapid growth of data centers in recent years has significantly increased the demand for energy, leading to unique challenges and opportunities for utilities, data center operators, and equipment manufacturers. This session will explore how these entities collaborate in strategic partnerships to address current energy demands and prepare for future growth.

Utilities play a crucial role in providing the necessary infrastructure and services to support data centers’ energy needs. By understanding data centers’ energy requirements and collaborating closely with operators and manufacturers, utilities can develop tailored solutions that optimize energy usage, improve efficiency, and ensure reliable power supply.

Data center operators benefit from these partnerships by gaining access to reliable, sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions. Manufacturers have the opportunity to develop innovative technologies and products that further enhance energy efficiency and performance. Through strategic partnerships, utilities, data center operators and manufacturers can not only meet the current energy demand but also create a foundation for sustainable growth, ensuring a reliable and efficient energy supply for the future.

Speakers: Vivek Singh and Frankie Barrera 

How Georgia Power navigates data center impacts distribution networks

Utilities across the US are seeing unprecedented growth in the data center segment. This is stretching our generation, transmission, and distribution systems across the board. Most new greenfield data centers require an onsite substation of 50MVA – 1GW from day one. However, many legacy data centers served by local distribution networks that have operated at 5 – 15MVA are requesting load growth in the 5x, 10x, and 20x range. 

This session will explore how this growth affects existing distribution networks, opportunities to shift load to onsite substations, and how the utility can help existing customers maximize the profitability of the facilities they already reside in. 

Speaker: Will Beck

Workshop Sponsored by: Caterpillar