One fallen power line exposed a growing AI data center problem. Here’s how to fix it.
A close call in Northern Virginia revealed just how poorly data centers respond to grid disruptions. Here's how to fix the problem.
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A power line failure outside Washington, DC revealed how large concentrations of data centers can destabilize the electrical grid. When the power line went down, more than 3 gigawatts of data centers switched to backup power nearly simultaneously, causing their load to drop from the grid within seconds and creating voltage spikes across a wide region that made lights flicker. The grid requires near-perfect balance between power supply and demand, and when many data centers disconnect at the same time, they create dangerous imbalances that can trigger failsafes. Experts warn these events will become more frequent as data centers account for a growing share of grid demand, with projections showing they could represent 24 percent of demand by 2040, compared to about 6 percent currently.
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