The Department of Energy is allowing grid operators PJM and ERCOT to take extraordinary steps to avoid blackouts as winter weather drives up power usage.

The move is unusual because data-center operators and other businesses generally don’t distribute energy onto the grid.

As many states across the nation brace for a severe winter storm this weekend, the Department of Energy is advising grid operators to use data centers as backup generation sources in case of a power outage in their area.

New rules by the PJM power network will fast-track combined data center and power generation projects, favoring new gas plants over renewables due to size requirements.

There is no single technology that will power the AI era; rather, I expect that the future lies in a portfolio of firm, flexible and clean solutions working together.

Compass Datacenters strongly supports Secretary Wright's decision to allow data centers to utilize backup power generation in anticipation of the historic winter storm forecasted to impact much of the country.

Virginia’s ever-growing fleet of data centers will take the spotlight when the General Assembly reconvenes this week. Along with bills addressing issues like energy use and siting, legislators will need to address a problem that received little attention in previous years: the diesel generators that provide backup power in emergencies.

LP Gas connected with Austin Wicker, of the National Propane Gas Association, to discuss his recently published white paper regarding data centers.

This week’s Current Climate newsletter also looks at aiding the power crunch with more efficient buildings and using fuel cells to help curb data center pollution

AI data centers dominated PowerGen, revealing how inference-driven demand, grid limits, and self-built power are reshaping the energy industry.