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Research — data-center power
How AI data centers actually get powered: behind-the-meter generation, gas turbines, and geothermal.
What is behind-the-meter power?
Behind-the-meter power is electricity produced on the customer side of the utility meter and used by that customer. A data center can run that way while connected to the grid or while electrically islanded. The meter location describes the arrangement; it does not remove fuel, air-permit, safety, or grid-service obligations.
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What is Enhanced Geothermal (EGS)?
Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) create a usable geothermal reservoir where rock is hot but natural fluid pathways are limited. Developers drill wells, stimulate permeability, circulate fluid through the rock, and use the recovered heat to generate electricity. EGS expands the places where geothermal may work, but site geology, well performance, water management, and grid or customer delivery still decide whether a project succeeds.
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What is a grid interconnection queue?
A grid interconnection queue is the set of proposed power plants and storage projects awaiting studies and agreements to connect to a transmission system. A queue position identifies a request within an operator’s process; under FERC Order No. 2023, generator projects are increasingly studied in clusters with readiness requirements. The national generator-queue statistics do not measure the wait for a data center seeking grid power as a load.
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Why are gas turbines sold out?
Gas turbines are described as sold out because manufacturers have committed much of their near-term production to existing orders and reservation agreements. That does not mean every model or every delivery year is identical: a reservation, a firm order, and a commissioned power plant are different milestones. As of November 2026, GE Vernova reports turbine slots sold for 2032 delivery, while Siemens Energy reports a large firm backlog.
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What is a unit substation?
A unit substation is a close-coupled assembly of incoming distribution equipment, a three-phase transformer, and outgoing distribution equipment. A primary unit substation normally delivers another medium-voltage system; a secondary unit substation delivers low voltage. The one-line, transformer data, and fault study determine what each section must contain.
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Medium-voltage switchgear explained
Medium-voltage switchgear is an assembly that switches, routes, measures, and protects distribution circuits above low-voltage service. A suitable lineup must match the system voltage, insulation class, continuous and fault current, protection scheme, construction standard, and installation. Start with the one-line and fault study; the detailed voltage, enclosure, arc, and SF6 choices each have their own guide.
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4.16, 13.8, and 34.5 kV Switchgear Classes
A 13.8 kV nominal system commonly uses 15 kV class switchgear; a 34.5 kV system commonly uses 38 kV class gear. A 4.16 kV system can use 4.76 kV class equipment or a suitable higher class chosen for the project. Match the actual rated maximum voltage, BIL, continuous current, and fault duty rather than treating the nominal system voltage as a complete specification.
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Metal-Clad vs Metal-Enclosed Switchgear
Metal-clad switchgear is a specific metal-enclosed construction under IEEE C37.20.2 with drawout electrically operated breakers and grounded barriers between major primary components. IEEE C37.20.3 covers metal-enclosed interrupter assemblies that may contain switches, fuses, breakers, and controls. Choose by the required device, protection, and maintenance sequence, then verify the offered assembly ratings.
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Arc-Resistant Switchgear: IEEE C37.20.7 Types and Suffixes
Arc-resistant switchgear has been tested for the effects of an internal arcing fault under stated current, duration, accessibility, and installation conditions. Type 1 addresses the front; Type 2 addresses freely accessible exterior sides; B and C add specific door and compartment cases. Read the product test report and room instructions before relying on the designation.
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SF6-Free Switchgear Explained: Vacuum, Clean Air, and Rules
SF6-free switchgear omits sulfur hexafluoride from the specified insulation and interruption design. A vacuum breaker can interrupt current while another gas insulates the conductors, so both media must be checked. Electrical ratings, the installed assembly, and regional rules still determine whether a product fits: the EU, California, and US federal frameworks address different events.
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Gas Turbine vs Reciprocating Engine for Data Centers
For a data center, choose by power role first. A multi-engine plant can follow changing load in smaller blocks; a turbine can deliver a larger block with fewer prime movers. Neither machine name alone proves emergency transfer performance, air-permit eligibility, or a firm delivery date. Compare site-corrected net output and the whole electrical sequence.
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Aeroderivative Gas Turbines: How They Work
An aeroderivative gas turbine adapts an aircraft engine core to drive a stationary generator or industrial load. It offers compact packaging and rapid starts, but the right unit depends on its exact configuration, site conditions, and duty. The class includes GE Vernova’s LM and LMS machines, Siemens Energy’s SGT-A65, and Mitsubishi Power Aero’s FT family.
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Heavy-Duty Gas Turbines: Frames and Plant Design
A heavy-duty or frame gas turbine is a purpose-built industrial turbine used in power plants and large generating blocks. Its value to a project depends on the complete plant: turbine frequency, heat-recovery layout, grid connection, fuel supply, and maintenance access. E, F, H, and Siemens Energy’s HL labels identify different product generations and vendors; they do not replace a model-specific engineering study.
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Industrial Gas Turbines: CHP and Mechanical Drive
An industrial gas turbine is a stationary machine designed for industrial power, useful heat, or direct mechanical drive. It is not defined by a single shaft layout or a fixed MW band: Siemens Energy’s SGT-400 is twin shaft, while larger industrial models serve different loads. Choose by the electrical and thermal duty, driven equipment, fuel, and site-corrected output.
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Reciprocating Gensets: Diesel and Gas Engines
A reciprocating genset couples a piston engine to an alternator. Diesel sets commonly serve standby duty, while gas engines can serve prime, continuous, and some fast-response applications; the actual duty depends on the model and installed system. Start with fuel, load acceptance, emissions category, and plant redundancy, then read the specific rating in the data-center generator guide.
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Used Gas Turbine Market: How It Works
The used gas turbine market connects owners of existing machines with projects that can use them. The decision turns on a particular unit’s configuration, operating record, inspection scope, package contents, and path to commissioning—not the model name alone. A machine already built can save a factory wait, but removal, repair, permits, and site integration still determine when it can produce power.
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Decommissioning a Gas Turbine: Plant Retirement
Decommissioning ends a generating unit’s role at its current site; it does not by itself decide whether the turbine will be reused, stored, or dismantled. An owner must address grid-operator notices, safe shutdown, environmental and site obligations, equipment records, and the physical removal boundary. A serviceable engine may enter the secondary market only after its condition and release rights are established.
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Data-Center-Rated Generator Sets: ESP, DCP, DCC
A data-center-rated generator set has a declared electrical rating for a specified load pattern and operating duration; “data center” alone is not a rating. ISO 8528-1:2018 includes Data Centre Power (DCP), while Cummins’ Data Center Continuous (DCC) is a separate OEM rating. Check the exact kW duty, site derating, run-hour limits, load acceptance, and air permit before using a nameplate to size critical power.
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How much power does an AI data center need?
Start with the planned racks and their specified power, then add the facility overhead measured by power usage effectiveness (PUE). For example, 500 racks at 120 kW each are 60 MW of IT equipment; at an assumed PUE of 1.2, the facility estimate is 72 MW. That is a planning calculation, not a utility service commitment: phasing, simultaneous load, cooling, redundancy, and the connection design still need engineering.
Read →Copper Demand in AI Data Centers
AI data centers need copper because electricity must reach a concentrated load through grid equipment, transformers, distribution, and rack connections. The copper amount depends on the chosen electrical design, including conductor material, route length, redundancy, and what infrastructure already exists. As of November 2026, a forecast refined-copper surplus in 2026–27 can coexist with a longer-term risk that announced mines will not meet projected demand in 2035.
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