Power for Data Centers

Supporting reliable, resilient power for large-scale data center growth.

Integrating Large Loads and Data Centers: Why It Matters

Data centers are critical to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. They’re expected to drive 20% of U.S. energy demand growth by 2030. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), funded by the Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity, is helping meet this demand with tools and technical guidance that support grid resilience, digital modernization and secure energy expansion.

Why this matters:

Rapid growth in energy demand driven by AI and computing
Increased pressure on grid capacity and planning
Need for resilient and secure infrastructure integration

If you need support on these types of issues, this project offers no-cost technical assistance (TA) to utilities and developers.

Key Characteristics and Needs for Integration

AI hyperscale data centers operate continuously and require reliable, flexible power to support dynamic workloads. This introduces new challenges for grid operators, who must manage variability, maintain stability, and ensure sufficient capacity while planning for large-scale interconnections. Data centers also rely on redundancy and backup energy systems, increasing infrastructure complexity.

At the same time, these large loads may provide opportunities to support grid operations, including demand flexibility and the ability to return power during disruptions. INL tracks evolving approaches to these challenges across public, private, and international efforts. For recent updates, see the Power for Data Center Initiatives resource.

Key considerations:

Continuous, high-demand energy usage
Need for redundancy and backup power systems
Interconnection complexity at scale
Opportunities for grid support and demand flexibility

Resilience and Operational Conditioning for Data Centers

INL deploys a suite of technological capabilities and a wealth of expertise to develop leading practices and operational guidance for utilities and other industry partners. This includes:

Stakeholder Engagement & Workshops

Brings utilities, data center operators, nuclear integrators and federal agencies together to surface real-world challenges and inform research and industry needs.

Ancillary Services & Grid Support

Addresses interconnection risks, develops technical specifications for regulated and deregulated markets, and defines how large loads can support grid stability through services like voltage and frequency support, demand response and black start capabilities.

Communications & Cybersecurity

Provides technical guidance on secure, real-time data exchange between data centers and grid operators to optimize large loads and manage cyber risks.

Nuclear Integration Readiness

Explores how small modular reactors and other nuclear technologies can meet data center power needs using insights from in-house demonstrations, including planning for flexible interconnections and secure digital substations.

Decision Support Tools

Public tools, like the Grid Readiness and Interconnection Decision Support tool help stakeholders prioritize solutions for large load deployment, using a curated library of grid upgrades and generation options.

Program Management & Outreach

Aligns with national initiatives such as the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Large Load Task Force and the Energy Systems Integration Group Large Loads Task Force.

Leveraging Nuclear Expertise

As the nation’s nuclear energy laboratory, INL is evaluating small modular reactors as a potential solution to growing data center energy demand. Leveraging full-scale testing capabilities and its role as a DOE AI data center site, INL collaborates with federal partners and other national laboratories to assess deployment feasibility and integration strategies.

Areas of focus:

Small modular reactor (SMR) deployment for large loads
Integration with data center infrastructure
Flexible interconnection and system design
Secure digital and substation architectures

Industry Collaboration and Events

INL convenes data center operators, campus developers, utilities, and the nuclear industry to address how emerging energy solutions can support large-scale data center growth. These engagements bring stakeholders together to explore practical approaches to integrating reliable, resilient power into modern data center infrastructure.

Topics explored include: