Flexible Data Centers Impact on Grid Costs and Emissions

The National Bureau of Economic Research published a working paper analyzing the impact of flexible data centers on electricity grid operations and emissions in three U.S. regions.

• The study models power systems in Mid-Atlantic, Texas, and WECC regions, showing that flexible data centers reduce system costs by shifting loads from peak to off-peak hours and supporting renewable and baseload resources.
• Emissions impact varies: higher renewable penetration enhances emissions reduction potential, while lower renewable shares may increase emissions due to baseload generation reliance.