# The potential for flexible data centers

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2025-03-27
- Length: 31m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-03-27-the-potential-for-flexible-data-centers

## Summary

Tyler Norris, a PhD candidate at Duke University and former VP at Cypress Creek Renewables, explains how flexible data center loads could add up to 98 gigawatts of new capacity to the US grid by curtailing 0.5% of annual load. He details strategies like deferring training runs, spatial flexibility, and using bridge power as peak shaving backup to avoid building new firm generation. The study, conducted across 22 major balancing authorities, suggests that existing grid infrastructure has significant spare capacity if load is managed to avoid system peaks. Norris argues that faster interconnection times in exchange for this flexibility are the key value proposition for hyperscalers.

## Chapters

- [0:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-03-27-the-potential-for-flexible-data-centers#t=35) Introduction: Catalyst and Open Circuit
- [4:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-03-27-the-potential-for-flexible-data-centers#t=282) Tyler Norris and the Thesis of Flexible Loads
- [6:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-03-27-the-potential-for-flexible-data-centers#t=388) Modeling 0.5% Curtailment and 98 Gigawatts
- [13:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-03-27-the-potential-for-flexible-data-centers#t=822) Distinction from Existing Demand Response Programs
- [18:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-03-27-the-potential-for-flexible-data-centers#t=1124) Curtailment Mechanics and Partial Load Shaving
- [23:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-03-27-the-potential-for-flexible-data-centers#t=1417) Bridge Power Transitioning to Peak Shaving
- [25:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-03-27-the-potential-for-flexible-data-centers#t=1532) Transmission Constraints and Deliverability
- [28:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-03-27-the-potential-for-flexible-data-centers#t=1705) Market Dynamics and Regulatory Momentum

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Duke University (company)
- EPRI (company)
- EnergyHub (company)
- Project Stargates (other)
- UCR (company)
- PG&E (company)
- Southern California Edison (company)
- Duke Energy (company)
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab (company)
- EIA (company)
- E3 (company)

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- [Managing Energy At The Edge: Navigating The Modern Grid With Itron](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-09-05-managing-energy-at-the-edge-navigating-the-modern-grid-with-itron) (Over the Air)
- [Powering the World: Unlocking Grid Capacity with Heimdall Power](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-08-26-powering-the-world-unlocking-grid-capacity-with-heimdall-power) (Over the Air)
- [213: Electricity Doesn't Act Like an Apple](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-31-213-electricity-doesnt-act-like-an-apple) (Embedded.fm)
- [142. Decarbonizing with Energy Modeling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-10-03-142-decarbonizing-with-energy-modeling) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Powering the AI Era Sustainably: Breakthrough Climate Hardware Tech from 8 Innovators](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-12-04-powering-the-ai-era-sustainably-breakthrough-climate-hardware-tech-from-8-innova) (Hardware to Save a Planet)

## Citing this page

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