DOE Clears Backup Power Route for Data Centers Amid Heat Wave
TL;DR
Amid a brutal heat wave, the Energy Department authorized PJM to direct large-load customers, including data centers, to rely on their own backup power as a last resort to prevent blackouts, tapping an estimated 35 GW of unused backup generation (enough to power ~26 million homes) while exempting critical facilities; the measure is limited to emergency conditions through Friday and has raised concerns about emissions from backup generators.
- Energy Department Wants Data Centers to Stop Draining the Grid During Brutal Heat Wave Gizmodo
- Heat records broken from DC to Boston, more to come Friday CNN
- Grid operator PJM orders emergency steps to avoid large-scale US power outages Reuters
- To Reduce Electrical Grid Strain Amid Heat Wave, Data Centers Are Ordered to Use Backup Power The New York Times
- 'We are screwed': People near data centers dread heat wave pollution Yahoo
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