Schneider Electric has joined EPRI's DCFlex initiative to explore how data centers can support the electric grid, enable better asset utilization, and support global energy needs.
As a collaborative effort—with Google, Meta, NVIDIA, and various utilities as founding members—EPRI's DCFlex initiative explores how data centers can support the electric grid, enable better asset utilization, and improve interconnection and efficiency.
Focus on efficiency, stability
The DCFlex initiative is a three-year research and development project that will demonstrate how data centers can support and stabilize the electric grid while improving interconnection and efficiency.
The initiative will deploy five to 10 large-scale flexibility hubs, each serving as a living laboratory to showcase innovative strategies for integrating data centers with the grid under various conditions.
Ruben Llanes, CEO of Digital Grid, Schneider Electric, said that by bringing its deep domain expertise in data centers and grid modernization to the EPRI DCFlex initiative, Schneider Electric can help drive work on creating sustainable energy solutions for data centers.
"With the potential of AI innovation and electrification in front of us, we face a defining moment in history,” he said. “This potential will be unrealized if we cannot meet the energy demands of data centers, the heart of the innovation engine.”
Strong utility presence
Joining Schneider in the EPRI DCFlex initiative is a large base of electric utilities.
The EPRI DCFlex initiative includes more than 40 members, including Constellation Energy, Duke Energy, New York Power Authority, NRG Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Portland General Electric, Southern Company, and Vistra.
Utilities play a key role in the DCFlex initiative by collaborating with data centers, technology companies, and other stakeholders to enhance grid reliability and efficiency. These companies help demonstrate strategies for integrating data centers with the grid, support operational flexibility, and streamline grid integration.
"Data centers play a critical role in today's interconnected global information-sharing environment and economy, but along with increased manufacturing and movement towards electrification, they are placing additional power needs on the electric grid," said EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor.
Schneider Electric continues to drive electric grid innovations. During the recent DISTRIBUTECH® trade show, the company debuted its One Digital Grid Platform, an integrated, AI-powered grid management system designed to enhance grid resiliency, reliability, flexibility, and efficiency.
Utilities can use the platform to accelerate modernization efforts through a secure, scalable ecosystem, enhance grid reliability to reduce outage frequency and duration, and integrate DERs to address increased energy demand.
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Sean Buckley
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