To Make Way For Data Centers, Google Will Pay Others to Use Less Power
Google is funding one of the nation's largest "virtual power plants," paying homes and businesses indirectly to reduce electricity consumption during periods of peak demand so more grid capacity can be available for data centers. Under its expanded deal with Voltus, the program could provide up to 1,070 megawatts in the Mid-Atlantic PJM grid -- roughly the output of a large nuclear reactor. The…
Google is investing in a large-scale virtual power plant program to provide additional electricity capacity for data centers during peak demand periods. The program, an expansion of Google's partnership with Voltus, could supply up to 1,070 megawatts of power on the Mid-Atlantic PJM grid, equivalent to the output of a sizable nuclear power plant.
Instead of constructing new power plants, Google will work with homes and businesses to offer financial incentives for reducing electricity usage when the grid is strained. These reductions can occur through smart devices like thermostats and battery systems, which can temporarily provide on-site power. While each individual adjustment may only contribute a small amount of power, when combined across numerous participants, they can collectively offer significant extra capacity when it is most needed.
Google views virtual power plants as a critical short-term solution to meet capacity demands while advancing clean energy goals.
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