The exponential growth of data center energy demand, particularly driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges for energy infrastructure globally. 

However, existing grid infrastructure is increasingly constrained, particularly in regions with concentrated data center activity. Transmission bottlenecks, aging infrastructure, and long timelines for grid upgrades present significant challenges for meeting this explosive demand.

Podcast takeaways:

• How Microgrids, powered by Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) offer a promising solution by reducing dependency on centralized grids, integrating generation from multiple fuels and storage, and providing load flexibility. 
• The benefits of a strategy that includes and prepares for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) when they become commercially available.
• The immediate and long-term benefits of this multi-year approach through real-world data center examples in Santa Clara, California and Ashburn, Virginia, USA 
• How to optimize your energy investments, reduce OPEX costs by 60-80%, and significantly reduce CO₂ emissions by using Xendee’s advanced Microgrid Modeling platform to design the right site-specific multi-year strategy.