Big data is already having a massive impact on our nation's power grids, and this is just the beginning. The development of energy saving technologies might help with the forecasted demand spikes... https://lnkd.in/ezgTpkeg
How big data is transforming power grids and energy efficiency
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CMO at Mantis Innovation | Building the brand behind smarter energy, sustainability, and facility performance
Our latest piece dives into the cracks forming in U.S. energy markets. From AI-driven demand surges to fragmented capacity markets and aging transmission infrastructure, the energy landscape is at a crossroads. What does it all mean? A few takeaways to consider: ✅ AI’s hunger for clean power is reshaping procurement. ✅ State-led energy models are creating inefficiencies. ✅ Capacity markets are being reimagined—but not without risk. ✅ Transmission is the silent crisis we can’t ignore. In this volatile environment, energy consumers must take proactive steps to manage risk and control costs. Keep reading for more insights ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ecgbQWi5
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In 2025, the landscape of data centers, AI, and the grid is evolving rapidly. Here are 7 key facts to consider: 1) Growing Electricity Demand: The U.S. is experiencing a resurgence in electricity demand, with an estimated 2% growth projected for both 2025 and 2026. This uptick is fueled by new manufacturing ventures and the expansion of data centers. (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration) 2) Rapid Data Center Expansion: Data centers in the U.S. are ramping up their operations, consuming approximately 176 TWh in 2023, which accounted for about 4.4% of the country's electricity usage. By 2028, this consumption could skyrocket to 325-580 TWh, constituting 6.7-12% of total electricity usage. (Source: Department of Energy's Energy.gov) 3) Global Demand Surge: The global demand for electricity is on track to double by 2030, reaching an estimated 945 TWh, up from around 415 TWh in 2024, according to the IEA's Energy & AI Base Case projections. 4) Stagnation in Efficiency Gains: Despite advancements in technology, the industry-average Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) has plateaued over the past five years, hovering around the 1.56-1.58 range, even as rack densities increase. (Source: Uptime Institute) 5) Impact of Cooling Choices: The choice of cooling systems significantly influences environmental impact, with NREL highlighting that a 1 MW HPC cluster utilizing evaporative cooling can consume approximately 2 million gallons of water annually. 6) Challenges in Grid Expansion: The deployment of new capacity is facing delays due to constraints in siting and interconnection, particularly in regions experiencing substantial growth in large loads. (Source: Times Union) 7) Convergence in Design Strategies: Data center operators
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Full Professor at University of Itajubá. Center of Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Generation.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are a significant driver of grid investment, contributing to increased electricity demand and necessitating infrastructure upgrades. While data centers also impact grid development, their direct influence is relatively modest. The primary factors driving grid investment include replacing aging infrastructure, integrating renewable energy sources, and accommodating the growing demand from EVs. As EV adoption continues to rise, especially with optimized charging strategies, they are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of energy infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/dn-fpe5i #renewables #power #energy #wind #offshore #onshore #solar #bess #hydropower #floating #nuclear #geothermal #efficiency #transition #sustainability #circular #economy #esg #clean #decarbonization #electrification #climate #hydrogen #mobility #greensteel #ammonia #transportation #storage #fuelcell #smartgrid #der #powersystem #generation #transmission #distribution #electricity #machines #drives #sensors #iot #education #engineering #innovation #entrepreneurship #creativity #technology #digitalization #cybersecurtity #metering
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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
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The power grid is a connected system where energy, data, and decisions flow both ways. The industry remains fragmented by generation, transmission, distribution, and customer silos - making smart coordination harder than it should be. In today's world, that kind of separation slows down innovation. When demand flexibility, renewables, EVs, storage, and virtual power plants all need to play together, seeing the system as a whole makes a world of difference. It changes the conversation from “Can we build more?” to “How do we orchestrate what’s already there?” As long as one silo holds on, the rest don't gain clarity. I've seen utilities win in challenging moments when teams ignore boundaries and treat the grid like a living network, not just discrete components. That mindset unlocks real flexibility, resilience, and value. Grid tech lives (or stalls) by how connected the whole system really is. #GridModernization #CleanEnergy #SystemThinking #UtilityInnovation
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Full Professor at University of Itajubá. Center of Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Generation.
Electric vehicles are driving U.S. grid investments, prompting upgrades for increased charging demand, smart charging, and vehicle-to-grid integration to support renewable energy and grid stability. https://lnkd.in/dn-fpe5i #renewables #power #energy #wind #offshore #onshore #solar #bess #hydropower #floating #nuclear #geothermal #efficiency #transition #sustainability #circular #economy #esg #clean #decarbonization #electrification #climate #hydrogen #mobility #greensteel #ammonia #transportation #storage #fuelcell #smartgrid #der #powersystem #generation #transmission #distribution #electricity #machines #drives #sensors #iot #education #engineering #innovation #entrepreneurship #creativity #technology #digitalization #cybersecurtity #metering
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⚡️ Distributed energy resources are reshaping the energy landscape! Amid the rapid expansion of data centers and the accelerated deployment of clean energy, DERs are becoming a key to the future with their lower costs, greater flexibility, and faster speeds. Looking forward to discussing with industry pioneers at DERVOS '25: 🔹 Deployment and dispatch of gigabyte-scale distributed power 🔹 The unlimited potential of plug-in DERs 🔹 Competition and opportunities in the global energy landscape See you in New York on October 17th! 🌍🔋 #DER #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #DERVOS25
DERVOS '25 is selling out fast. There is a maximum capacity of 750 folks so hope you can make it October 17th in NYC! ThunDERdomes (Main Themes) Big DERs Energy: Hear directly from folks in the heart of the exploding data center industry on how hyper-scalers are turning to DERs to lower costs, increase reliability, and get online faster than traditional mechanisms are currently allowing. Deploying and Orchestrating GWs of Distributed Power: Distributed, topdown, deregulated, or regulated, grid operators across the country now want to have VPPs at their disposal not as a side project, but because they can perform better than traditional resources. We’ve put together a crew from across the spectrum: forward-thinking utilities, companies with GWs of distributed capacity under management, and more. Plug-in DERs Don’t Need Your Permission: What do you mean permits? Just plug that solar and battery right into the load! Germany has deployed GWs of balcony solar systems, but that’s only the edge of what’s possible. Plug-in DERs may just dwarf all other DERs one day due to their speed and ease to deploy. We’re hosting a discussion on how we can open up one of the most exciting new categories in the energy world in the US from frontline leaders making it happen. Domestic Energy Dominance and the Electro-state: But what does this all mean for us globally? China is kicking our ass, fast becoming the first electro-state and leaving petro-states in the dust. They dominate >80% of solar and storage supply chains and are deploying faster than anyone. But we invented those technologies! And we can never count out the American Spirit. https://lnkd.in/eYkHAecf
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Utilities could add 147 GW of new large loads, boosting peak demand 20%: WoodMac -- Utilities expect to serve 60 GW of new large loads through 2030, and 93 GW by 2035, according to new analysis from Wood Mackenzie. https://lnkd.in/eRWmqtMs #energy #AI
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Today's Foresight webinar on Meeting the UK’s Data Centre Energy Requirements was a fascinating discussion on the key challenges and opportunities for data centre growth and its implications for net zero and energy security. Bringing together John Booth MBCS, CDCAP, CDCSP of the National Data Centre Academy, Teodora K. of techUK, and Paul Stein of Floral Energy, the discussion made clear just how central data centres have become to the UK’s digital future. It also emphasised the fast-growing pressures on our energy system, water resources, and energy decarbonisation goals from this infrastructure growth. Some of the key takeaways from the discussion: ⚡ Energy demand from AI and cloud is growing far faster than efficiency gains can offset. 🔌 Grid connection delays are a critical bottleneck to growth - microgrids, decentralised solutions, and (eventually) advanced nuclear, are emerging as part of the answer, but the industry needs certainty around pricing measures and grid connection - the first-come-first-served approach is obsolete. 🌍 Cooling and water use are under scrutiny - innovations like closed-loop and non-water cooling is helping shift the narrative. 📜 Policy clarity is urgently needed to balance AI growth with infrastructure, sustainability, and community needs. One point that really resonated came from Teodora: “We need to have our technological ambition, our AI strategy, to be our energy strategy, and our energy strategy to be our AI strategy, if that is the route our government want to go down to attract skills and investment.” AI is here to stay and as we expand AI and digital infrastructure, it's important to remember that every decision on digital growth reshapes energy demand, and every energy decision will impact the UK’s digital future. Decisions on the two can no longer be made in isolation. A huge thank you to our speakers and audience for a brilliant conversation, one of many to be had! If you want to hear more on this topic, as well as others around the UK's energy transition, then join us for The Foresight Event taking place next February 👇 https://lnkd.in/ekRhrQQN
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Great Article Tom, thanks for sharing.