Utility Services For Data Centers

This paper provides insights into the capabilities of Utilities to provide power to Data Centers and identifies ways by which the Utility and Customer can work together to their mutual advantage. It explains certain key technical, regulatory and statutory factors that the Utility must consider when planning interconnection with a Data Center, including the impact of the new load and possibly of generation on their grid, a study that may reach up into their transmission system. Also covered are the subjects of power sources, “green power”, islanding, backup power supplies, and energy storage. The paper includes a dissertation on the regulatory oversight under which Utilities must operate.