Day Two

• Monitoring and mitigating power anomalies caused by fluctuating GPU loads to prevent system instability and reduce unplanned outages
• Exploring strategies for handling AI-driven megawatt surges and fast ramp-up/rampdown cycles to reduce needs for costly emergency upgrades
• Forecasting energy supply risks and economic trade-offs tied to AI campuses to align systems and investment with AI’s real growth trajectory

• Leveraging data centers’ backup generation and load flexibility to provide timely demand response support during peak grid stress and emergency situations
• Enhancing collaboration to integrate demand response with transmission and generation capacity, optimizing grid reliability and resource utilization
• Establishing clear contracts and requirements that address operational limits, air permit constraints and mutual benefits of demand response participation

• Where have you seen AI workloads push local infrastructure limits and how was it addressed?
• What infrastructure investments have proven most scalable or adaptable for unpredictable load growth?
• What’s one example where shared infrastructure planning between a utility and data center accelerated delivery?

• Designing site layouts that account for utility space, access and infrastructure needs to avoid future rework, maintain service reliability and minimize conflicts during interconnection and maintenance
• Coordinating early on operational design and interface expectations to understand system behaviour and ensure safer interconnections and more resilient long-term operation
• Implementing on-site protection schemes and control systems to ensure power quality, mitigate sudden load fluctuations and reduce the risk of grid instability

• Evaluating local generation sources and utility infrastructure timelines to align site selection with speed and reliability needs
• Facilitating cross-utility and stakeholder collaboration early in site evaluation to address multi-utility requirements and streamline permitting processes
• Utilizing data-driven tools and regional market insights to identify optimal sites that balance grid capacity, resource availability and competitive market positioning

• What key factors do you prioritize when evaluating potential sites?
• Where are the biggest gaps in early planning or communication that lead to delays or challenges in site development and power delivery?
• What best practices or lessons learned can you share about balancing upfront capital commitments with flexible site expansion and long-term infrastructure needs?

• Conducting thorough risk assessments to identify potential challenges early in facility planning
• Fostering proactive collaboration among utilities and data centers to create flexible mitigation plans and address emerging risks
• Strengthening supply chain relationships and early procurement strategies to tackle equipment delays
• Communicating the positive impacts of power projects on the grid, economy and local communities to build wider support and minimize opposition

Join focused breakout groups to explore the unique challenges and opportunities in regulated and deregulated markets. Collaborate with peers to share market-specific insights, tackle local constraints and develop strategic approaches tailored to your market. Leave with a deeper understanding of how to build successful partnerships and drive effective solutions in your specific market.

• Group 1: Regulated
• Group 2: Deregulated