Session Chair: Rod Walton - EnergyTech

The exponential growth of data center energy demand, particularly driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence, has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges for energy infrastructure globally. However, existing grid infrastructure is increasingly constrained, particularly in regions with concentrated data center activity. Transmission bottlenecks, aging infrastructure, and long timelines for grid upgrades present significant challenges for meeting this explosive demand. This presentation will demonstrate how microgrids, through real-world data center examples, offer a promising solution by reducing dependency on centralized grids, integrating generation from multiple fuels and storage, and providing load flexibility. It also will discuss how to optimize energy investments, reduce OPEX costs by 60-80%, and significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.