As data centers pull a massive amount of energy from the grid, Ohio is pioneering an innovative solution: building “microgrids” at data center sites. Microgrids are small, self-sufficient energy systems that can run independently from the main electrical grid. They generate and store energy onsite using sources including natural gas and renewables. This approach prevents data centers from overwhelming the broader grid during periods of high demand, making the whole grid more resilient.
I'm not sure if this is unique to Ohio, but I'm happy to hear about innovation around grid structure and use as more and more data centers pop up. Meta is building one just down the road from us; I wonder if it will include some sort of microgrid on its campus.
tags: tech environment
posted by matt in Monday, June 2, 2025