Optimize Data Center Operational
Flexibility to Help Strengthen the Grid
The demand for energy to power data centers is increasing, largely driven by the rapid expansion of AI. EPRI’s DCFlex Initiative will demonstrate how data centers can support and stabilize the electric grid while improving interconnection and efficiency.
The initiative will drive a shift creating a blueprint for data center stakeholders, utilities, market operators, technology innovators, and policymakers to adopt. The initiative aims to deploy five to ten large-scale flexibility hubs, each a living laboratory demonstrating innovative strategies for integrating data centers with the grid under various conditions to facilitate widespread adoption and replication.
To learn more and to join us, contact Anuja Ratnayake: aratnayake@epri.com
Powering Intelligence: AI & Data Center Energy Consumption
According to a recent study released by EPRI, data centers could consume up to 9% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030—more than double the amount currently used.
Utility Experiences and Trends Regarding Data Centers
Providing power for data centers is a growing challenge for the electric power industry. This report summarizes a industry survey to assess present utility data center service requests, processing, and integration into load forecasting.
DCFlex: Data Center Flexible Load Initiative
EPRI's Data Center Flexible Load Initiative (DCFlex) aims to demonstrate how data centers can support and stabilize the electric grid while improving interconnection and efficiency.
DOE Recommendations on Powering AI and Data Center Infrastructure
The DOE’s SEAB Working Group on Powering AI and Data Center Infrastructure has examined options for supporting growing power demands reliably and affordably without harming existing customers and while limiting greenhouse gas emission impacts.
DCFlex Brochure
The Initiative will drive a shift creating a blueprint for data center stakeholders, utilities, market operators, technology innovators, and policymakers to adopt.
INITIATIVE MEMBERS
FROM THE MEMBERS
Electric utility providers need to take a leading, active role in determining the impact AI and data centers will have on our energy supply. The New York Power Authority has joined the DCFlex initiative to work with other energy sector leaders to support innovation, plan for the grid of the future, and address key issues such as power consumption, energy efficiency, and carbon emissions.
Justin E. Driscoll, President & CEO New York Power Authority
Data center loads present interesting challenges and opportunities for grid planning, operations, and markets. DCFlex will provide an important forum for discussion on these topics as it brings all the stakeholders together towards successful data center integration into the grid.
Venkat Tirupati, Vice President, DevOps and Grid Transformation ERCOT
AI can help solve the world’s greatest problems, and to enable this, NVIDIA is committed to our leadership in providing the highest performance per watt for AI computing infrastructure, The DCFlex initiative is another example of how industry leaders can leverage data centers as a flexible resource on the grid to help address peak loads.
Marc Spieler, head of global business development and strategy for the energy industry at NVIDIA
Meta is committed to efficient data center operations matched by 100 percent clean and renewable energy. But we know this work cannot be done alone — we continue to work alongside our peers and utility providers to advance new opportunities for digital infrastructure. Efforts like EPRI’s DCFlex initiative are critical to these cross-industry efforts.
Bryce Dalley, director of Commercial Energy Supply at Meta.
At Google, we see this moment as a generational opportunity for the public and private sector to work together to meet energy demand responsibly and unlock significant benefits for people, the economy and the planet, Through the leadership, expertise, and convening power of EPRI, DCFlex will be an important collaboration vehicle to align our common goals, as we work together to build a stronger electrical grid for all.
Caroline Golin, global head of Energy Market Development and Innovation at Google
As a nation, we cannot afford to fall behind on AI. We need to invest in sustainable infrastructure to support big data applications, but not at the expense of other consumers of electricity, Compass is working collaboratively with our utility partners on planning and grid expansion, and glad to invest in EPRI’s research to bring forward long-term solutions.
Chris Crosby, Compass Datacenters CEO
New electric demand from AI-driven data centers offers tremendous potential for all our customers in California, DCFlex is exactly the kind of collaboration needed to ensure we meet this demand in ways that also help us provide clean, affordable, and reliable energy for all.
Patti Poppe, PG&E Corporation CEO
Data centers are integral to our daily lives, economy, and national security. Our energy system is built to handle the extreme demands of our hottest summer days and coldest winter nights but is often underutilized. The real challenge isn't a lack of energy for data centers but managing the peak demand hours. The ability of data centers to flex during these critical periods is crucial, We commend EPRI for launching this initiative and bringing together key industry representatives to meet growing data center power demands, enhance grid reliability, and advance the clean energy transition.
Joe Dominguez, Constellation President and CEO
As we serve our customers and meet their rapidly changing needs around reliability, affordability, and sustainability, we believe load growth from data centers presents a crucial opportunity to bring together stakeholders across the power and technology sectors to help solve some of the most complex grid management issues, Vistra is pleased to invest in EPRI’s DCFlex initiative and looks forward to working with other innovative companies to answer the call in ways that advance our national and regional interests and ensure the grid is reliable for all customers.
Jim Burke, president and CEO of Vistra