Grid under pressure: Flexibility-centered large load policies overlook recent lessons
Indicators of change Order 2222 revealed a gap between flexibility theory and planning and implementation practice – creating lessons that now resonate for...
The rapid expansion of data centers has underscored the importance of addressing energy consumption and sustainability challenges. As the industry endeavors to meet increasing demand, it must balance cost efficiency, environmental considerations, and reliability. Modern data centers require substantial and consistent energy supplies, necessitating innovative solutions such as holistic load forecasting, expedited resource planning, carbon-free energy integration, and advanced tariff designs. These measures aim to satisfy rising demands while minimizing the impact on existing ratepayers and the environment.
CRA’s energy consultants have extensive expertise in the data center market, energy technologies, and economic assessment. We evaluate the relative benefits of various energy solutions in terms of cost, reliability, and sustainability, ensuring that utility and data center partners can identify mutually beneficial solutions that promote data center growth while addressing potential externalities. By leveraging our insights and strategies, data center operators, utilities, investors, and related stakeholders can make informed decisions to drive growth and sustainability in this dynamic sector.
Our focus areas
Engagements
- 01Diligence support to GIP, MGX, and AIP in their acquisition of Aligned Data CentersCRA’s Energy Practice is pleased to have supported GIP, MGX, and AIP in their acquisition of Aligned Data Centers, one of the largest and fastest growing data...View engagement
- 02Assessing data center load forecasting methodologies in Integrated Resource PlanningCRA collaborated with industry stakeholders to establish best practices in data center load forecasting that base reference forecasts on known mature projects...View engagement
- 03Load prioritization and providing clean energy optionality through data center tariff designCRA has collaborated with both utility and data center clients to identify mechanisms to prioritize data center loads in ever tightening markets. Load...View engagement
Meet our team
Upcoming events
ESIG 2026 Spring Technical Workshop
Margarita Patria chairs the closing plenary session on “Flexibility from Large Loads” discussing large loads having large integration challenges, but they can...
Energy Needs of Data Centers Texas Conference
This conference convenes leaders from data center developers, government, utilities, technology providers, energy suppliers, investors, and innovators to...
Recent events
2026 Solar Power and Energy Storage Mountain West
Andy Dressel is a speaker during the Energy Bar Association’s Rocky Mountain Chapter CLE event during the conference on “Legal Issues in Data Center...
WCEE Fundamental & Current Issues: Wholesale Electricity Markets
The first in the 2026 “Fundamentals and Current Issues” series, this hybrid lunchtime event focuses on wholesale electric markets and emerging issues related...