Workstream 4: DC Informed Energy Supply

Workstream 4 (WS4) focuses on identifying and evaluating grid-connected energy supply options to support data center load growth and flexibility, emphasizing technologies commercially viable over the next 5 – 10 years. The work includes a coordinated landscape analysis of energy supply technologies, incorporating engineering performance, supply chain, and workforce considerations, alongside a comprehensive system planning modeling study to assess regional and scenario-specific readiness.

WS4 will also produce technology- and portfolio-level scorecarding frameworks to guide strategic planning and investment decisions. These efforts aim to provide stakeholders with actionable insights for short- and long-term resource planning, improve alignment between energy supply strategies and data center expansion, and support informed decision-making across utilities, data centers, and regional planners. Integration with other workstreams ensures a holistic view of future energy needs and opportunities.

Workstream Deliverables

Planning at the Frontier: Evaluating Electric System Resource Planning in the Data Center Era

This white paper describes an analysis comparing recently filed U.S. electric company integrated resource plans (IRPs) depicting planned generation supply, with both IRP and EPRI DC-informed load projections. Findings explore how these projections compare and the landscape of existing and planned resources, and recent trends in energy supply to power DCs, opportunities that DC flexibility may afford to the system, and approaches to advance long-term resource planning practices are explored.

Energy Supply Options for Data Centers

This report addresses the rapidly increasing energy demand of data centers (DCs), driven primarily by hyperscale facilities supporting artificial intelligence workloads, with global electricity consumption projected to nearly double by 2026. It evaluates a comprehensive range of energy supply options suitable for DCs over the next 5 to 10 years, focusing on performance, cost, and integration potential. The report provides detailed reviews of power generators including gas turbines, reciprocating engines, solar, wind, nuclear, long-duration energy storage, geothermal, linear generators, fuel cells, and carbon capture and storage systems. Results are presented as a comprehensive compendium designed to inform decision-making for DC owners and energy providers by highlighting key technical insights, project examples, and future trends in energy supply tailored to the evolving needs of DCs.

Workforce and Data Centers

This report examines critical workforce issues over the next 5 to 10 years on a regional basis, including talent shortages in skilled trade roles, retention difficulties, and the need for apprenticeships and resource allocation to keep pace. Multiple case studies are presented along with feedback from energy suppliers on workforce issues seen in the field. The report assesses the potential implications for DCs and provides recommendations for ways to minimize issues and better prepare to keep DC growth on track.

Supply Chains for Energy Supply Options for Data Centers

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of the energy supply chain challenges confronting the rapidly growing data center (DC) sector over the next 5 to 10 years. It examines the increasing demand for electricity and its implications for infrastructure development, technology deployment across energy generators, and the availability of critical grid electrical components.