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North Carolina Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across North Carolina — updated daily.
Recent North Carolina data center news
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How utilities can accelerate microgrid deployment
The article discusses the expected surge in US electricity demand, which is forecasted to grow by an average of 3% per year over the next five years. Utilities are adopting a multifaceted approach to meet this demand, including the deployment of microgrids. Duke Energy has implemented a solar-powered microgrid in Hot Springs, NC, to enhance reliability in remote areas. Meanwhile, Xcel Energy plans to establish a network of solar-powered energy storage hubs to improve reliability and support clean energy development.
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🌎 Gas turbine gridlock #236
Engie recently pulled out of two gas plants in Texas, Perseus and Spenser, due to procurement delays. The White House’s energy abundance agenda and rising electricity demand from data centers highlight the role of natural gas. However, gas turbine manufacturers are facing severe delays, with delivery backlogs extending to 2029. As a result, the gas plant projects are threatened, prompting developers to plan equipment acquisition well into the future.
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Lawmakers Scrutinize Power Sector’s Future as Surging Demand Raises Alarms
US-based Basin Electric Power Cooperative has raised concerns in Congress regarding the escalating demand for electricity, specifically noting a significant increase tied to AI-driven data centers and industrial loads. They estimate a need for nearly $10 billion in compliance costs due to new regulations alongside an expected 60% increase in rates by 2035. The demand for natural gas is projected to triple from 2024 to 2030, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced natural gas infrastructure to maintain grid reliability. Furthermore, PJM Interconnection’s forecasts predict a summer peak demand of up to 220,000 MW by 2039, driven by demand from emerging technologies and manufacturing.
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Study Suggests Utilities May Be Overbuilding and Overspending to Accommodate New Data Centers
US-based Duke University has conducted a study indicating that electric utilities can handle the demand growth from data centers for most of the year. The coauthor, Dalia Patiño-Echeverri, noted that by shifting the timing of power requests during critical hours, utilities can accommodate increased loads without the need for new generation or transmission infrastructure. This approach could prevent unnecessary overbuilding and overspending by utilities.
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Data center supply, construction surged in 2024 amid AI boom
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Forging sustainable steel and more: A talk with Nucor CEO Leon Topalian
US-based Nucor Steel has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable steel production by utilizing electric arc furnaces and recycling over 20 million metric tons of steel annually. The company announced a goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and has partnered with ExxonMobil for a carbon capture and storage initiative that aims to significantly reduce the embedded carbon of its products. Nucor is also investing in advanced nuclear technologies and collaborating with tech giants like Google and Microsoft to explore new energy solutions.
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One Way Data Centers Can Help the Grid? By Being Flexible
US-based Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions has reported that data centers can significantly improve the grid’s flexibility by limiting their power use during peak hours. This action could potentially unlock tens of gigawatts of spare capacity in the US grids, as highlighted in a recent analysis from Duke University’s Nicholas Institute. This framework points towards a viable solution for managing energy demands more efficiently while accommodating increasing electricity consumption from data centers.
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UtilityInnovation Group™ Appoints Daniel Taschik as CTO of GridSure™
US-based UtilityInnovation Group (UIG) has appointed Daniel Taschik as the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of GridSure. His experience in developing scalable digital platforms will be crucial for GridSure’s expansion. Taschik previously led infrastructure upgrades at Obé Fitness and received recognition from SAP co-founder Hasso Plattner. Under his leadership, GridSure aims to advance dynamic, sustainable grid solutions to enhance grid stability and support decarbonization efforts.
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Apple to invest more than $500B in US manufacturing
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North Carolina Study Finds Surging AI Industry Could be Powered Without New Gas Infrastructure
US-based Duke University researchers found that the rising demand for artificial intelligence could be met without the need for new gas infrastructure. Their study challenges the justification that utilities are using to support investments in new gas plants and pipelines due to the surging demand from data centers.