When Virginia lawmakers in April passed a bill directing utilities to offer their large energy customers the opportunity to participate in demand-response programs, it was the latest in state efforts to address strains on the electricity grid.
The law directs Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power, whose service areas cover the highest concentration of data centers in the world, to create demand-re...
The article reveals a complex situation involving energy usage, grid strains, and federal emission restrictions in Virginia, particularly concerning data centers. The restrictions on the use of emergency generators for demand-response programs could pose challenges for facilities looking to participate, as they would need to upgrade their generators to meet more stringent Tier 4 emission standards, which can be costly.
This situation raises questions about the balance between energy efficiency a...