PJM and Dominion review data center load transfer event

PJM has said it is evaluating potential changes to interconnection reliability requirements for large loads, including data centers and crypto-mining facilities, after a July 22 event in Virginia caused nearly 4,000 MW of data center load to trip offline unexpectedly.

• At the Aug. 6 Operating Committee meeting, PJM and Dominion discussed preliminary findings from the event, including a 230 kV line fault in Northern Virginia that triggered two waves of load transfer totaling about 3,800 MW.
• PJM said the grid saw large swings in voltage and frequency but recovered within nine minutes; FERC has ordered NERC to develop enforceable reliability standards, with the first phase due by Dec. 31, 2026 and ride-through requirements expected in 2027.