“Google’s demand response capability allows us to limit or shift a portion of machine learning (ML) workloads running in our data centers. This reduces the overall data center power demand, helping to stabilize the grid during certain hours or times of the year.”
Very proud of this team for pioneering a new way to utilize data centers as grid-responsive assets – and while there are limits to how flexible a given data center can be, Google is committed to continue developing this capability and modernizing power system planning to help realize its potential.
Today marks a significant milestone in the history of demand flexibility, as Google announces it has contracted one gigawatt of data center demand response capacity into long-term energy contracts with multiple utilities across the US. 🔌💡 blog.google/innovation-a...
Thank you Senator @whitehouse.senate.gov!
If you’re in Cambridge on Monday, please come say hello!
Not about working out in jeans but...
if data centers acted like responsible grid participants and maximized demand flexibility, they could reduce power infrastructure needs by 40 GW, or like 50% of projected data center demand growth by 2035.
nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/articles/key...
When everyone has a personal fleet of AI ‘experts’, the scarcest resource arguably becomes the human we trust to tell us which ones to believe. Paradoxically, the value of top-tier human expertise and verification may reach an all-time high.
Yes, Google has massive stakes with the US fed govt - which makes this from Google’s Chief Scientist even more meaningful. Have your execs spoken up?
The recent days have been horrific. We can't become numb to repeated instances of illegal and unconstitutional action by government agencies. It's even worse when public officials are blatantly lying in ways that contradict dozens of pieces of video evidence.
If you’re distraught and distracted today, it means you still have your humanity
NEW: Woman shot dead by ICE agent in Minneapolis identified as Renee Good, 37.
According to her mom, Renee had 3 children and was not part of any ICE protest groups
More than 25 GW of large-scale generating projects reached an interconnection agreement in the ERCOT grid region in 2024. Berkeley Lab said ERCOT’s “connect and manage” approach “is likely one reason” for the grid operator’s success.
@josephrand.bsky.social
@tnorris.bsky.social
#EnergySky
New @wsj.com: "The Fight Over Making Data Centers Power Down to Avoid Blackouts"
“The pressures of connecting to the grid at the scale and pace that people are talking about is going to push these solutions,”
@jessedjenkins.com said. “There isn’t another option.”
www.wsj.com/business/ene...
Country 9 in global oil reserves has invaded country 1 and arrested its president. Country 7 is under sanctions and its refineries are being destroyed. Country 2 is facing off with country 6. And there are riots in country 3. But oil is only $60/bbl. Maybe oil is not as critical as it used to be?
www.utilitydive.com/news/in-an-e...
...Large loads increase rates if they induce utilities to make expensive grid infrastructure upgrades to meet higher demand peaks...But with policy incentives to “restrain” peak demand, large loads can avoid the costs that drive higher rates...
Most of the year, U.S. electricity grid utilization is around 50 percent. Some researchers say that spare electricity could be tapped and sent to other customers, presenting an opportunity to lower prices.
Not many Christmas gifts beat @shannonosaka.bsky.social covering grid utilization! WaPo: “The US may have a secret weapon against rising electricity prices” www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
To anyone worried about a national energy wonk shortage: rest assured, there are still many brilliant experts available, Google just took the ones who chatter the most 😂
If you're interested, the link in the screen shot leads to www.ferc.gov/news-events/...
FERC’s bipartisan order last week is genuinely one of the more hopeful things I’ve seen happen in 2025. Good, well-informed, bipartisan policy on big complex issues is still possible!
Thank you Rob! 🙏
Google is obviously doing great things, on many fronts. Among the most inspiring are their energy transition and climate focused efforts, having also recently added superstars like @tnorris.bsky.social and @douglewin.bsky.social to their mix.
My elderly mother just sent me this - I don’t know if AI-assisted research will arrive in time to help her, but the possibility is part of why I believe we need responsible AI leadership from Google and others.
Speaking of TIME, I had no idea they made my profile #1 for TIME100 Climate this year until I saw the hard copy (1st and longest profile)… clearly a very slow news year! 😂
FT's big new piece on "The AI power crunch" appropriately includes a section on flexibility, and I appreciate them referencing our research. ig.ft.com/ai-power
🙏
If you're not a subscriber, you're missing out on this goldmine - www.powerpolicy.net/p/new-study-...
A good topic for anyone at the intersection of #CloudNative DataCenters, #EnergySky and Telco
@tnorris.bsky.social
🙏
bsky.app/profile/tnor...
