The electric grid has long delivered reliable, cost-effective power to consumers, including data centers, by pooling diverse resources to lower costs and enhance reliability for all. This “good for all” model has fueled economic growth for more than a century. Today, nearly all data centers depend on the grid, with onsite backups providing additional resilience.
But rapid growth in data center demand—driven in part by AI processors with power densities up to 10 times higher per square foot than traditional storage-focused facilities—has exposed mismatches between grid expansion and data center development timelines. As a result, speed to power has become a critical factor in site selection.
This paper evaluates four broad strategies for powering new data centers globally. Currently, the dominant approach is Grid-Connected Inflexible where grid power is available on the required timeline. However, where there are significant grid constraints, three alternative strategies are emerging: Grid-Connected Flexible, Bridge-to-Grid, and Islanded.
Available online: speed2power.epri.com
Authors Thomas F. Wilson