Scattering power usage could help grid handle data center demand, study finds

Sometimes when the wi-fi is out, the situation can be remedied by unplugging the router, waiting a beat, and plugging it back in. And turns out easing the strain on the electrical grid as a result of increasing power demand from data centers might follow a similar pattern.

A new study from Duke’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability found that the grid might be able to handle the incoming additional power demand from data centers if plants use on-site generators, reduce their workloads, or temporarily transfer workloads to their other facilities during peak demand hours. Many new data centers will be brought online in the near future as generative AI tools are more widely used by corporations and individuals alike.

Observers used to think that the power demanded by data centers—which will be the largest growing power sector in the coming years—could overwhelm the grid.

“The US power system’s existing headroom, resulting from intentional planning decisions to maintain sizable reserves during infrequent peak demand events, is sufficient to accommodate significant constant new loads, provided such loads can be safely scaled back during some hours of the year,” the study states.

All that said, curtailing data center power usage from time to time by using power storage or reducing operations isn’t a complete solution to the “unprecedented” amount of power the grid will need to provide in the coming years—it’ll still need to be expanded. But cutting energy consumption “can play a significant role in improving system utilization, mitigating the need for costly infrastructure expansion and complementing supply-side investments to support load growth and decarbonization objectives.”

“The integration of flexible loads offers a promising, near-term strategy for addressing structural transformations in the US electric power system,” the study concludes.