Data centers are indispensable infrastructure for the global economy. They are engines for economic growth and prosperity, which is why demand for these facilities has never been stronger. But there is a significant obstacle to deploying data centers at the speed and scale that is needed by the economy: the time it takes to acquire power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can take years for data centers to successfully access the power they need. In fact, the wait is longer than a decade in some markets. That is far too long for infrastructure that is becoming vital to the foundation of everyday life. It is vital that we accelerate interconnections for data centers, and that is exactly what EPRI’s Flex MOSAIC\u2122 is designed to do. Developed through the DCFlex initiative in collaboration with more than 65 Reliability & Standards Authorities, Grid & Market Operators, Electric Utilities and Data Center operators, Flex MOSAIC is a standardized framework for classifying the flexibility of large electric loads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Compass has been a proponent of a collaborative approach to power since the start. We sit down with utility providers early in the development process and stay at the table \u2014 sharing in the planning, the\u00a0risk\u00a0and the capital costs.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0how\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0addressed the power challenges of the digital age in a way that fosters long-term growth, strengthens grid\u00a0resiliency\u00a0and ensures benefits are shared equitably with our partner communities. Our involvement in this initiative is a natural extension of our approach.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EPRI\u2019s Flex MOSAICTM<\/sup> provides a practical, technology-neutral framework that helps meet the needs of data centers while also strengthening the power grid. While new generation remains essential and is being pursued in parallel, Flex MOSAIC\u2122 helps make better use of existing capacity while that generation is built. EPRI\u2019s Flex MOSAICTM<\/sup> framework focuses on evaluating load flexibility and pairing that flexibility with planning processes that do not solely rely on worst-case load behavior. EPRI\u2019s framework aims to intelligently unlock grid headroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The participants in this initiative are solving the interconnection challenges by increasing the flexibility of how power supply and demand are aligned. In the past, data center load demands were defined in worst-case scenarios that posed challenges for utility modeling. Similarly, power grids lacked the flexibility to optimize how existing capacity was being utilized. EPRI\u2019s Flex MOSAICTM<\/sup> framework brings more flexibility to both sides of the equation. EPRI and the participating organizations are creating shared definitions, a common framework and a consistent vocabulary to allow for more efficient use of resources already available to us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n