Why flexible onsite generation is key for #AI infrastructure

https://lnkd.in/gvh5nivc Data centers are pulling power like cities. Utilities can’t outbuild this surge with steel and concrete alone. Resiliency now depends on intelligence. A.I. is the lever for forecasting volatility, predicting stress points, and automating response at scale. Without it, the grid stays reactive. With it, the grid becomes adaptive. This is no longer just an engineering problem, it is a strategic one. Utilities that embed A.I. into planning and operations will be the ones ready for a digital and decarbonized energy economy. #GridModernization #EnergyResilience #ArtificialIntelligence #EnergyAndUtilities #DigitalTransformation #Sustainability #UtilityInnovation

This article does a great job of laying out the key barriers that have hindered microgrid adoption. What stood out to me is how closely it mirrors BoxPower’s founding thesis. For nine years, we’ve been building the exact solution this piece calls for — a fully integrated platform that combines proprietary software-enabled design tools, modularized hardware systems, advanced controls software, and turnkey EPCM services. Where I’d push back is on the implicit assumption that software alone can unlock this market. In our experience, the complexity of deploying microgrids at scale requires a blended solution — software to accelerate design and standardization, hardware that’s modular and interoperable, and services to ensure reliable execution and operations. That’s the model BoxPower has pioneered, and it’s why utilities and commercial customers alike are turning to us to make microgrids faster, cheaper, and more reliable to deploy. #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #ClimateTech #Decarbonization #GridModernization #Microgrids #EnergyStorage #UtilityInnovation #DistributedEnergy #Resilience

😎💯‼️👌🏻 The Looming Power Surge The data backs up the anecdotes. According to a Deloitte survey, 72% of US energy and data center executives view power capacity as extremely challenging as a result of widespread AI adoption, and 82% see innovation - not just grid expansion - as the only viable solution. Bloomberg Intelligence reports that there’s now a 12–24 month gap between when data centers need power and when the grid can deliver it, a delay that is stalling growth in key markets. The issue is both technical and systemic. Even when renewable energy is available - such as wind power from Scotland - it often cannot reach the data centers that need it most, thanks to constrained transmission infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/eW7euyZp

"In order to meet the demand, they have to double present conditions every other year. That's 50-100% growth per year, which nobody globally has ever done. We don't have the materials, we don't have the equipment, we don't have the people", Howard explains. MotorDoc's Howard W Penrose, addresses the mounting challenges facing America's electrical infrastructure as data center demand accelerates beyond the industry's capacity to respond. While utilities have historically managed steady growth rates of 2% to 5% annually, the data center boom demands unprecedented acceleration. The technical reality becomes more complex when considering grid stability. Unlike conventional power plants that can gradually ramp up or down, data centers operate like massive electrical switches, consuming 500 megawatts to 1.5 gigawatts instantaneously. This creates unprecedented challenges for system operators who must maintain frequency and voltage control across increasingly volatile load conditions. This episode also covered: → The Iberian Peninsula blackout investigation and media misconceptions about renewable energy's role → Why traditional generation cannot respond fast enough to counter data center load variations → The political complications affecting long-term infrastructure planning in the power sector https://lnkd.in/gjMP-mwP

In this video, Howard W Penrose, PhD, CMRP, CEM, CMVP addresses the mounting challenges facing America's electrical infrastructure as data center demand accelerates beyond the industry's capacity to respond. While utilities have historically managed steady growth rates of 2% to 5% annually, the data center boom demands unprecedented acceleration.

Demand flexibility strategies have traditionally focused on providing value at the bulk-grid level. But electric vehicles bring something different to the table. EVs are uniquely positioned to solve for distribution-level constraints. That’s why managed charging is becoming such an important tool in 2025 and beyond. With strategies like multi-level distribution load optimization, utilities can now set charging limits at any level of the grid — feeder, feeder section, or individual service transformer — all while aligning charging with customer TOU rates or solar production. Our 2025 State of the Grid Edge report covers how leading utilities are using EVs as flexible grid assets — and how an Edge DERMS makes it possible.

🏘️ From backup plans to backbone systems - microgrids are stepping into the spotlight. According to a recent Guidehouse Research forecast, community microgrid capacity is expected to grow nearly 5x - from 304 MW in 2025 to 1.4 GW by 2034. That’s not just a data point. It’s a signal. More communities are investing in localized, resilient, and intelligent energy systems, and it’s easy to see why. The grid is facing pressure from all sides: 🔌 surging AI and data center demand 📈 growing electrification of homes and industry At Eradeh Power Consulting we’re proud to be part of this transformation. We help communities, critical infrastructure operators, and energy developers design and integrate microgrid systems that aren’t just reactive - they’re resilient by design. We see microgrids as more than just technology. They’re about: ✔️ Keeping healthcare centers powered during blackouts ✔️ Supporting food banks and shelters through extreme weather ✔️ Helping underserved regions chart their own energy future As momentum builds, we believe the future of energy isn’t just centralized—it’s connected, local, and community-driven. 📈 If you're thinking about grid integration, hybrid systems, or microgrid deployment - we're ready to help! https://lnkd.in/gF2VCUJZ #Microgrids #EnergyResilience #GridIntegration #CommunityPower #DistributedEnergy #CleanEnergy #CriticalInfrastructure #EradehPower #HybridPower #FutureOfEnergy

Modern power electronics meets medium voltage cables to create a high-density inline power conversion system for the grid of tomorrow Global #electricity networks face a mounting dual challenge: increased demand and higher risk. Rapid electrification, the accelerated rollout of renewables, and the surging energy appetite of #data centers are all straining grid capacity. At the same time, #climate change and geopolitical instability raise the stakes for security and resilience. Recent conflicts have highlighted the vulnerability of energy infrastructure during crises, while market volatility has underscored the urgency of building systems that can withstand disruptions. Together, these forces are driving unprecedented stress across #transmission and distribution networks. Mark Cairnie - Christina DiMarino http://bit.ly/4goE3GI

Interesting move from UK data centre developers, gas-powered generation to sidestep grid delays. A bold workaround, but what does it mean for sustainability targets? #DataCentres #Infrastructure #EnergyCrisis https://lnkd.in/esFdywuX

🔋 Can Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Replace UPS and Generators in Tier III/IV Data Centers? BESS are transforming the way we think about resilience, sustainability, and energy strategy in mission-critical environments. While BESS can effectively replace traditional UPS systems and reduce dependence on diesel generators, their ability to fully displace both in Tier III or IV data centers remains limited, primarily due to runtime constraints and stringent certification requirements for uptime and fault tolerance. However, hybrid power architectures that combine BESS with conventional generators are showing strong potential, offering a balanced path between operational continuity and environmental responsibility. As we transition toward greener, more efficient infrastructure, the strategic integration of BESS is no longer just a forward-looking option, it’s becoming a necessity. ⚡ The future of energy resilience is hybrid, intelligent, and sustainable. #BESS #CriticalInfrastructure #Sustainability #UPS #Generators #TierIII #TierIV #EnergyStorage #GreenDataCenters