81. Powering Data Center Growth: Flexibility, Grid Connections, and Lessons from Europe
26 min
Data centers are driving a new wave of electricity demand, adding pressure to power systems already undergoing significant change. In Europe, greater flexibility could help accommodate that growth while making better use of available grid capacity. In this episode of EPRI Current, EPRI’s Eamonn Lannoye and Chris Kavanagh of Baringa join host Samantha Gilman to discuss what data center flexibility could mean for the power system. They draw on Ireland’s experience, explore ways data centers can adjust when and where they use electricity, and consider how AI workloads could expand those possibilities. They also look at how EPRI’s DCFlex initiative is bringing together stakeholders across the data center and energy industries to advance solutions for integrating large loads, including flexible grid connections and the Flex MOSAIC framework. Check out resources mentioned in this episode: Data Centres Ireland: Taking place November 18–19 in Dublin, Data Centres Ireland brings together data center operators, service providers, innovators, and other industry leaders to discuss the technologies and issues shaping the sector. Learn more about Data Centres Ireland. EPRI DCFlex: Learn more about EPRI’s work to explore data center flexibility and grid integration through the DCFlex initiative. FLARE: Learn more about EPRI’s Flexibility for Large Assets to Rapidly Energise (FLARE) initiative. NESO Feasibility Study: Those interested in participating can contact Chris Kavanagh at chris.kavanagh@baringa.com. For more episodes visit EPRI.com. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and devel...