EPRI Data Center and Grid Reliability Initiative Expands to Europe

EPRI, a global nonprofit energy research and development organization announced its DCFlex initiative is expanding internationally, starting in Europe.

DCFlex explores how data centers can support the electric grid, enable better asset utilization and improve interconnection and efficiency. The collaborative effort started in the U.S. with Google, Meta, NVIDIA and various utilities as founding members and now includes France-based RTE and Schneider Electric, Netherlands-based ING, and Greece-based PPC Group.

As data centers continue to expand globally, power consumption is currently expected to triple by 2030 based on a 2024 report from McKinsey & Company, rising from 10 GW to 35 GW.

DCFlex was formed to establish flexibility hubs that demonstrate innovative data center and power supplier strategies that enable operational and deployment flexibility, streamline grid integration and transition backup power solutions for grid assets. Demonstrations of these deployments will begin in the first half of 2025 with testing running through 2027.

To learn more visit dcflex.epri.com.