The debate over energy for US data centers often centers on developers’ difficulty securing grid connections. But connecting to the grid is only one part of the challenge. How data centers affect the power system once they are online is also a lasting concern.
AI hyperscalers, battery manufacturers, software companies, utilities and grid operators have different commercial interests in data center flexibility. They nevertheless share an interest in improving the energy efficiency of AI computing: delivering more useful compute for each watt consumed.
Achieving genuine flexibility also depends on clean power, rather than relying on diesel generators, which are often used in this context.
Sources: pv magazine.