Technology companies are investing billions of dollars to build and power data centres across the US, but the industry’s enormous electricity consumption has put pressure on utilities and grid operators that are struggling to quickly meet surging demand...
The Rocky Mountain Institute found that virtual power plants (VPP) — a decentralised network of small energy assets such as solar panels or smart thermostats that are co-ordinated with software — could be utilised by data centres to meet much of their energy needs by shifting demand during peak periods. RMI estimates that VPPs could expand to meet more than 20 per cent of peak US demand in 2030 and reach a market size on par with projected data centre growth. 

https://archive.ph/jM32K#selection-1979.0-1991.464

 

What is a VPP?

"A virtual power plant (VPP) is a network of distributed energy resources, like rooftop solar panels, home batteries, and smart thermostats, that are connected and managed by a central system to act as a single power plant. These VPPs can balance energy supply and demand, support the grid, reduce costs, and facilitate the integration of renewable energy by remotely controlling the connected devices." 

Thanks AI

Listening to a Chinese analyst.....he claims the forecasting of huge demands for electrical energy, industrial rather than domestic, has driven the Chinese investment in renewables in order to keep costs down and protect the environment.

 

He claims the US is now 30/40 years behind and will pay a high price in terms of direct costs and pollution.