How energy investment is evolving to meet AI-driven data center demand
In a recent interview, CRA’s energy consultant Mayank Saraswat explored how the energy sector is evolving to meet the surging demands of AI-driven data centers.
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 is pleased to have supported GIP, MGX, and AIP in their acquisition of Aligned Data Centers, one of the largest and fastest growing data center companies...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
Recent events
EEI Fall Legal Conference
Emma Nicholson is a panelist in the session titled “Innovative Approaches to Integrating Large Loads”: EEI’s member companies are leading an incredible energy...
22nd Annual Conference on Electric Power in the Southwest
Chris Nagle is a speaker during the session titled “Hyperscale: Data Center Challenges and Solutions.” For more information on this event, click here.