Thought Leadership
Thought Leadership Pieces
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Flex MOSAIC™ and Demonstration Summary
Flex MOSAIC™ outlines a technology‑neutral framework for defining and using data center flexibility as a grid resource. Grounded in real‑world demonstrations, it shows how AI‑driven data centers can respond to grid needs without sacrificing performance—supporting faster interconnections, improved re
Inside Flex MOSAIC™: The Technical Framework Explained
This two‑page brief unpacks the Flex MOSAIC™ framework in detail, outlining the core concepts, structure, and logic behind how flexibility is defined, evaluated, and applied to support faster, more reliable large‑load integration
Power-Flexible AI Factories: A UK-First Demonstration of Grid-Responsive AI Infrastructure
EPRI, Emerald AI, National Grid, Nebius, and NVIDIA conducted a live, UK-first demonstration at Nebius’s new AI Factory in London to demonstrate that high-performance AI infrastructure can operate as a power-flexible, grid-responsive asset without disrupting mission-critical workloads.
Powering Intelligence 2026: Updated Scenarios of U.S. Data Center Electricity Use and Power Strategies
This paper examines how rapid growth in data centers, AI, industrial onshoring, and electrification is reshaping electricity demand and creating significant, highly localized challenges for power systems. The paper presents updated projections showing that data centers could consume a much larger sh
Balancing Speed and Affordability: The NIPSCO GenCo Model for Hyperscale Load Growth
This document examines an emerging utility–affiliate model used by Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) to serve substantial new data center load while addressing concerns related to cost allocation, regulatory timelines, and customer protection. The analysis outlines the drivers of hype
Win-Win Watts: When Can Data Centers, Efficient Electrification, and New Loads Lower Electricity Prices?
This paper synthesizes economic theory, recent empirical and modeling evidence, and emerging tariff designs to clarify the conditions under which load growth can support affordability for existing customers while enabling investments in clean, reliable infrastructure.
Quick Insight - DOE's Section 403 Letter Explained: Large Load Interconnection
This document provides a concise overview of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Section 403 letter and its implications for large load interconnection within the electric grid. It explains the regulatory context, technical considerations, and potential impacts on utilities and large energy consum
Nature Energy: AI data centres as grid-interactive assets
The exponential growth in electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) is threatening grid reliability, increasing energy costs for communities funding new infrastructure and slowing AI innovation as data centres await interconnection to constrained grids. Here we present a field demo
Quick Insight - NERC Reliability Guideline: Risk Mitigation for Emerging Large Loads
This document summarizes the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) guideline on Risk Mitigation for Emerging Large Loads, focusing on the reliability challenges posed by data centers, cryptocurrency mining, hydrogen electrolyzers, and other power-intensive facilities. These loads in
Reconciling the Value of Grid Interconnection and Speed to Power
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: G
White Paper - Integrating Data Centers into the Grid: Benefits of Flexibility and Strategic Siting
This study explores how strategic siting and load flexibility can accelerate data center integration while maintaining system stability. Using a stylized Texas grid model for 2030, we assess hosting capacity under different transmission and siting scenarios and evaluate four flexibility archetypes.
Texas SB6 Explained: Addressing Large Load Impacts
This EPRI DCFlex Quick Insight provides a discussion and analysis of Texas Senate Bill 6 that enacts changes for large electric loads seeking interconnection to the ERCOT-operated Texas grid.
White Paper: Grid Flexibility Needs and Data Center Characteristics
This white paper takes a first step toward developing a common understanding of flexibility between power providers, grid operators, and data center stakeholders across four sections: Section 1 contextualizes flexibility in terms of flexibility needs, services, products, and programs. It concludes w