Rethinking Load Growth: Assessing the Potential for Integration of Large Flexible Loads in US Power Systems

Written by Tim Profeta, Tyler Norris, Dalia Patino-Echeverri, and Adam Cowie-Haskell

The Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability today published Rethinking Load Growth: Assessing the Potential for Integration of Large Flexible Loads in U.S. Power Systems. The report details the challenges facing the US energy system in light of AI and escalating electricity demand and the untapped potential of flexible loads to make our current energy supply cover more ground. This study, a first-of-its-kind analysis, shows that the US power system has much more to offer in terms of accommodating new large loads with far fewer costly system upgrades. 

Key Takeaways:

1: Balancing authorities could collectively add nearly 100 gigawatts of large loads to the grid with minimal impact.

2: The estimated annual curtailment time is comparable to existing demand response programs already in place around the United States.

3: BOTTOM LINE --> Load flexibility should be pursued as an important and far more significant tool for meeting new demand from large loads. 

 To read the full report see Rethinking Load Growth: Assessing the Potential for Integration of Large Flexible Loads in US Power Systems | The Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability.