Research, white papers, reports, and presentations on data centers, energy, and modern infrastructure from around the world.
Academic Paper·arXiv (preprint)·30 September 2026·Power & Energy Supply
The paper introduces FissionReady, a scheduler for data centers supplied by a multi-module small modular reactor (SMR) plant. It jointly manages the output of each reactor module, deferrable batch workloads, and grid purchases while accounting for fuel age, iodine-xenon dynamics, and reactivity margin. In simulations, the approach eliminates forced outages and missed batch-job deadlines while reducing water use and grid-electricity costs relative to a comparable baseline configuration.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)Data Center Power SupplyGeneration Load FollowingData Center Microgrids
Details →Academic Paper·arXiv (preprint)·29 September 2026·Power & Energy Supply
This research paper presents a method for quantifying the electricity-demand flexibility that AI data centers can provide to the power system. The approach reschedules batch computing workloads subject to constraints on delay, uninterrupted execution, and available CPU, GPU, and memory resources. Task-scheduling decisions are translated into a server power profile, which is then used to assess peak-shaving potential and the duration for which a load reduction can be sustained, using real GPU-cluster traces.
AI Data CentersDemand FlexibilityLoad ManagementBatch Workload Shifting
Details →Academic Paper·arXiv (preprint)·28 September 2026·Power & Energy Supply
This technical paper from Dominion Energy examines how scenario-based system-load forecasts at different time granularities can support long-term assessment of planned transmission outages. It is set against rapid growth in hyperscale data-center and AI load in Northern Virginia, which requires new and reinforced grid infrastructure. The authors compare the conventional use of monthly or seasonal peak demand with coordinated daily, weekly, and monthly forecasts, finding that the latter can enable more outage coordination without weakening the N-1 reliability criterion.
AI data-center loadLarge-load interconnectionPlanned grid outagesTransmission grid
Details →White Paper·Open Compute Project Foundation·March 2026·Power & Energy Supply
This Open Compute Project white paper examines low-voltage DC (LVDC) power-distribution architectures for data centers amid rapid growth in AI workloads and rack power density. It compares staged pathways from conventional AC power to DC distribution, covering power-conversion boundaries, grounding, protection, energy storage, reliability, and grid interaction. Rather than prescribing a single topology, the document establishes a technical framework for data center operators, designers, manufacturers, utilities, and regulators.
Data CentersAI InfrastructureLVDCDC Power Distribution
Details →Presentation·Wärtsilä·10 February 2026·Power & Energy Supply
Wärtsilä’s presentation examines the use of modular gas and dual-fuel power plants alongside energy storage to supply data centers, including AI workloads. It links constraints on grid connections to growing demand for primary onsite and off-grid generation, and cites several projects in Ireland and the United States. The material emphasizes capacity availability, modularity, part-load efficiency, lower water consumption, and the potential to transition to sustainable fuels over time.
Data center power supplyAI workloadsOnsite generationOff-grid data centers
Details →White Paper·AVK; Wärtsilä Energy·September 2025·Power & Energy Supply
This AVK and Wärtsilä Energy white paper examines constrained grid capacity as a major barrier to the expansion of European data centres, particularly facilities serving AI workloads. It proposes on-site microgrids combining dispatchable generation, BESS and renewables to accelerate site energisation before—or independently of—a grid connection. The paper compares power-system scenarios and four supply configurations for a representative AI data centre in terms of cost, reliability, land use and carbon footprint.
Data Centre Power SupplyAI Data CentresMicrogridsDispatchable Generation
Details →White Paper·Cummins Inc.·November 2024·Power & Energy Supply
This Cummins white paper examines the shift in data center onsite power systems from traditional emergency backup toward an active-standby model. It identifies decarbonization and shortages of grid capacity and transmission capability—particularly acute in Europe and North America—as the key drivers. The paper considers cleaner fuels and generation technologies, energy storage, fuel cells, and microgrid controls that could enable data centers to support the grid without moving to continuous onsite generation.
Data Center Power SupplyOnsite GenerationActive StandbyGrid Constraints
Details →White Paper·Siemens Gas and Power·September 2019·Power & Energy Supply
This Siemens Gas and Power white paper examines on-site generation of electricity and cooling for data centers as an alternative to reliance on a constrained or unreliable external grid. Its main focus is on modular gas-turbine solutions, including open-cycle and combined-cycle configurations, combined heat and power (CHP) with absorption cooling, redundancy, and operational lifecycle considerations. The paper also outlines approaches to planning, EPC delivery, service, and decarbonization through biofuels and hydrogen.
Data centersOn-site generationGas turbinesCombined Cycle
Details →