75. How Could Data Center Growth Affect Future Electricity Costs?

Data centers are driving a new wave of electricity demand, adding pressure to power systems already undergoing significant change. In Europe, greater flexibility could help accommodate that growth while making better use of available grid capacity.     In this episode of EPRI Current, EPRI’s Eamonn Lannoye and Chris Kavanagh of Baringa join host Samantha Gilman to discuss what data center flexibility could mean for the power system. They draw on Ireland’s experience, explore ways data centers can adjust when and where they use electricity, and consider how AI workloads could expand those possibilities. They also look at how EPRI’s DCFlex initiative is bringing together stakeholders across the data center and energy industries to advance solutions for integrating large loads, including flexible grid connections and the Flex MOSAIC framework.     Check out resources mentioned in this episode: Data Centres Ireland: Taking place November 18–19 in Dublin, Data Centres Ireland brings together data center operators, service providers, innovators, and other industry leaders to discuss the technologies and issues shaping the sector. Learn more about Data Centres Ireland. EPRI DCFlex: Learn more about EPRI’s work to explore data center flexibility and grid integration through the DCFlex initiative. FLARE: Learn more about EPRI’s Flexibility for Large Assets to Rapidly Energise (FLARE) initiative. NESO Feasibility Study: Those interested in participating can contact Chris Kavanagh at [email protected].   For more episodes visit EPRI.com.   If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes.    Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews    EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com 

The next era of electricity growth is already taking shape. Electrification, computational loads, advanced manufacturing, and economic growth are testing traditional approaches to grid planning and raising consequential questions about what comes next.   On the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by Lanny Nickell, President and CEO of SPP, and Daniel Brooks, EPRI Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery and Customer Solutions, to discuss how the industry is responding. They explore how today’s large, fast-moving loads are reshaping grid planning and discuss new approaches to load flexibility, interconnection, transmission investment, and regional energy markets. They also look ahead at what it will take to strengthen reliability, expand the grid, and unlock greater connectivity between the Eastern and Western Interconnections.   Tune in for an inside look at the decisions shaping the grid’s next decade.   For more episodes visit EPRI.com.   If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes.    Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews    EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com 

Heat pumps have become one of the most widely discussed technologies for home efficiency and electrification, but their next evolution may be even more transformative. In this week's episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI's Ron Domitrovic and Carrier Energy's Timothy Watts to discuss the next generation of heat pumps and their potential to support both homeowners and the grid. The discussion explores how technologies such as inverter-driven systems, integrated battery storage, and virtual power plant participation are expanding the role of heat pumps beyond heating and cooling. Drawing on insights from EPRI's ongoing field demonstration, the guests share what they're learning about turning residential HVAC systems into flexible energy resources while keeping customer comfort front and center, and how those learnings can help inform the broader industry's approach to integrating heat pumps as grid resources.       For more episodes visit EPRI.com.   If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes.    Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews    EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com       

This week on the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman sits down with Morgan Scott, EPRI Vice President of Electrification and Sustainable Energy Strategy, and Faith Davis, who leads Exelon's Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i), to discuss how the utility industry is adapting to a rapidly changing landscape.     Together, they explore lessons learned from climate resilience efforts, emerging technologies attracting investment, and the growing role of data, AI, and innovation in planning for future risks. They also examine the intersection of resilience, infrastructure investment, and affordability, and share their vision for how climate-informed planning can help build a more reliable and adaptable energy system in the years ahead.     The episode also explores the impact of EPRI's Climate READi Initiative (https://www.epri.com/research/sectors/readi), which helps establish a consistent, industry-wide approach to assessing climate risk and informing climate-ready planning.     Learn more about Exelon's Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i): https://www.exeloncorp.com/community/foundation     For more episodes visit EPRI.com.   If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes.    Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews    EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com 

How are robotics, drones, and AI reshaping utility operations? In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with EPRI's Dexter Lewis and Ameren's James Pierce about the growing role of robotics in electric utility inspections, the evolution of drone programs, and the opportunities and challenges ahead as utilities embrace more autonomous operations.     From robotic dogs and underwater inspection vehicles to drones that collect millions of images of grid assets, utilities are expanding the use of robotics to improve safety, reduce costs, and gain deeper insights into infrastructure health. Experts discuss how drone programs have matured from early pilot projects to enterprise-wide operations, including Ameren's extensive asset inspection efforts and pioneering beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights.     They also dive into emerging FAA regulations, the growing need for industry best practices, and the role of AI in transforming massive volumes of inspection data into actionable intelligence. Tune in to hear how utilities are preparing for the next generation of autonomous inspections and digital grid management.     Interested in the topics discussed in this episode? Check out these EPRI resources:   • EPRI Discussing the Notice of Proposed Rule Making for Part 108: Normalizing BVLOS UAS Operations https://www.epri.com/research/programs/070605/events/ae161182-5208-4d67-82dc-bf529f97263a • EPRI's Preparing for Part 108 Collaborative Research Project https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002034053 • EPRI's Public Labeled Imagery Dataset Supporting AI Development https://www.epri.com/thought-leadership/artificial-intelligence/data-sets/3qma0kn43rnn56ualbkmhg     For more episodes visit EPRI.com.   If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes.    Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews    EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com 

What do rising river temperatures, lower water levels, and jellyfish have in common? They're all emerging challenges for nuclear power plant operations. In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI experts Kurt Crytzer and Jonathan Black to explore how extreme heat is reshaping nuclear plant operations in Europe and beyond, and why water is one of the industry's most critical resources.     From rising water temperatures and lower river levels to changing aquatic ecosystems and even jellyfish blooms, they examine how extreme weather conditions can impact cooling systems, plant performance, and grid reliability. Experts highlight EPRI's research to help utilities better anticipate, monitor, and adapt to these challenges through advanced forecasting tools and resilience-focused solutions.      Interested in the topics discussed in this episode? Check out these EPRI resources: HOL A DELEJ?: Real-time dashboard of Hungary's power system and the Paks Nuclear Power Plant: https://holadelej.hu/en/ Intake Reliability Interest Group (IRIG): EPRI program focused on cooling water intake reliability and emerging operational challenges: https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002033455   For more episodes visit EPRI.com.   If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes.    Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews    EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com 

This week on the EPRI Current, we explore one of the energy sector’s most recently debated questions: Are data centers driving up electricity rates?     Host Samantha Gilman is joined by Geoff Blanford and Asa Watten of EPRI’s Energy Systems and Climate Analysis team to discuss new research examining the relationship between data center growth and consumer electricity costs. Drawing on a decade of data, they examine why the relationship between rising demand and rising rates may be more complex than many assume, and why, in some cases, load growth can help improve affordability by spreading grid costs across more customers.     The conversation also looks ahead to the future of AI-driven electricity demand, the challenges of building grid infrastructure fast enough to keep pace, and how flexible demand initiatives like EPRI’s DCFlex could help balance reliability, affordability, and growth. Tune in for a data-driven discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and offers fresh insight into one of the industry's most important debates.     Read the full working paper:  https://arxiv.org/pdf/2606.19777   Summary and key insights available here: https://restservice.epri.com/publicattachment/98650   Explore related EPRI research:  Win-Win Watts: https://winwin.epri.com/  Energy Wallet: https://energywallet.epri.com/   DCFlex Initiative: https://dcflex.epri.com/   For more episodes visit EPRI.com.   If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes.    Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews    EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com 

A potential “super El Niño” is making headlines, and for the power sector, it comes with real implications. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with EPRI climate scientist Erik Smith about what’s driving the latest forecasts and how changing ocean conditions could shape weather patterns in the months ahead.   From increased precipitation in California to drought risk in the Pacific Northwest and a potentially quieter Atlantic hurricane season, the discussion explores how a strong El Niño can shape regional outcomes. It also highlights how EPRI’s climate analytics and research – including the Climate Resilience and Adaptation (READi) Initiative – are equipping utilities to plan across seasonal to multi-year horizons. As forecasts evolve, the episode emphasizes the importance of staying alert, adaptable, and prepared for how quickly conditions can change.     To learn more about EPRI’s Climate READi, visit: https://apps.epri.com/climate-readi-compass/en/     For more episodes visit EPRI.com.   If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes.    Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews    EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com 

In this week’s episode of the EPRI Current, Dave Weaver from Exelon, Clift Pompee from Compass Datacenters, and Anuja Ratnayake from EPRI join host Samantha Gilman to discuss how new approaches to flexibility can accelerate grid connections amid surging demand.   Experts focus on EPRI’s recently launched Flex MOSAIC™, a framework developed through EPRI’s DCFlex initiative to define what flexibility means in practice by creating a shared, performance-based language between utilities and large load customers. By defining five distinct classes of flexibility with clear parameters such as notification time, duration, and frequency of use, Flex MOSAIC™ helps align expectations upfront and reduce the ambiguity that has historically slowed interconnection.   Tune in to hear about how concepts like “headroom” and performance-based flexibility classes can help unlock existing grid capacity, reduce interconnection timelines, and support reliability. With perspectives from across the energy ecosystem, the episode highlights both the opportunity and the coordination required to enable faster, more adaptive grid integration.   Learn more about EPRI’s DCFlex Initiative: https://dcflex.epri.com/ Learn more about EPRI’s Flex MOSAIC™: https://dcflex.epri.com/flex-mosaic Learn more about headroom: https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002034162   For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com.   If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes.    Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews    EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com 

In this episode of the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with EPRI’s Director of Agentic AI and Micro Data Centers, Ben Sooter, about the growing role of distributed inference, also known as micro data centers, in the evolving AI landscape. While large, centralized data centers dominate current discussions, Sooter explains why the next wave of compute demand will shift closer to end users to support faster, latency-sensitive applications.     The conversation highlights how this distributed approach could reshape grid planning, including opportunities to leverage available capacity at distribution substations and the need to better understand emerging load profiles. Sooter also discusses EPRI’s collaborative pilot efforts with NVIDIA, Prologis, and InfraPartners to explore siting, deployment, and scalability. As AI adoption accelerates, this episode examines how utilities can prepare for and help enable the next phase of digital infrastructure.       For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com.     If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes.    Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews    EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com