The U.S. Department of Energy is asking data centers to use backup generators during the heatwave to free up power for AC use.

The US Energy Secretary is urging data centers to use generators, temporarily cutting off grid connections.
Dirty generators risk producing more emissions amid regional heatwave and rising AC demand
Data centers are clearly putting enormous pressure on local networks, which are struggling to cope

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has ordered large data centers to switch from grid electricity to on-site backup generators during the ongoing heatwave on the East Coast, to relieve pressure on the grid.

By using generators, the goal is to free up electricity for residential air conditioning units, as energy demand increases in the region due to excessive heat.

The directive primarily applies to data centers and other large electricity consumers connected to the PJM Interconnection network – a major operator in the region.

Data centers must use generators in hot weather

Large consumers, such as data centers, have been allowed to go offline and revert to generators running on diesel or natural gas, despite sustainability concerns.

The PJM advisory is one of two related to this heatwave – the Department of Energy also announced similar measures for Duke Energy in the Carolinas.

“The order authorizes Duke Energy to operate specified units up to their maximum production levels, notwithstanding air quality or other permit limitations arising from federal, state, or local law or regulation, or any other source of applicable law,” the directive states.

“Maintaining affordable, reliable and secure power in the territory served by Duke Energy is non-negotiable,” Wright added, implying that residents should not suffer from the concentration of data centers in the area.

An estimated 35 GW of backup generation is available nationally, although it is unclear how much grid capacity the East Coast measures will free up.

However, what the temporary measures prove is that the demands of citizens and businesses are too close to the output generated and that there is not enough buffer to allow for an increase in demand. Without investment in sustainable electricity, ongoing data center projects are increasingly at risk of scenarios like this, where unsustainable fuels are burned to create electricity.

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