Houston, Texas (March 23, 2026) — One of the biggest constraints slowing data center
deployment today is the time to power. To address this bottleneck, EPRI is launching Flex
MOSAIC, a uniform flexibility classification framework for large electric loads, developed
through its DCFlex initiative in collaboration with more than 65 utilities, system operators,
regulators, hyperscalers, and technology providers. The launch was announced today at
CERAWeek.
The voluntary framework establishes a shared, credible way to define flexibility from large
loads — particularly data centers — based on the magnitude, timing, duration, and
frequency of their response. By enabling a common understanding of what flexibility a load
can deliver, the framework may shorten interconnection timelines, improve grid planning
confidence, and accelerate access to power without compromising reliability or
affordability.
Greater transparency and a consistent framework benefit all parties. Utilities and system
operators gain greater confidence in integrating large, flexible loads while maintaining
reliability. Meantime, developers can design facilities with flexibility in mind—unlocking
faster, more predictable grid connections and expanding options for where projects can be
sited.
“As demand from AI and data centers grows at unprecedented speed, flexibility is
becoming the third leg of the speed-to-power stool, alongside generation and
transmission,” said EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor. “This framework allows
everyone — utilities, regulators, and large-load developers — to have common language
about flexibility and to trust what that language means. That shared understanding is
essential to moving faster while maintaining reliability.”
The framework defines flexibility through practical performance characteristics, including
how quickly a load can respond, how long adjustments can last, and how much power can
be reduced or shifted. These characteristics are organized into a small set of uniform
flexibility classes that utilities, system operators, and data centers can apply consistently
across regions.
“Flexibility is critical for fast access to power for data centers,” said Vladimir Troy, vice
president of AI Infrastructure at NVIDIA. “By clearly defining flexibility, the Flex MOSAIC
framework gives all parties the confidence needed to accelerate deployment and meet the
growing needs of AI.”
The framework is meant to provide a technical foundation that jurisdictions and market
participants can adapt to their local needs. “As large, flexible loads play a growing role in
the power system, having clear, technically grounded definitions of flexibility is critical for
reliability,” said North American Electric Reliability Corporation President Jim Robb. “A
common framework like this can help system operators and planners speak the same
language, essential for maintaining a reliable grid.”
“As demand from data centers accelerates, state regulators are focused on ensuring
customers are not burdened by the costs of serving new, large loads, as well as maintaining
grid reliability,” said NARUC President Ann Rendahl. “NARUC looks forward to engaging
with EPRI and others on how a voluntary, standardized framework like Flex MOSAIC can
create a common language and shared understanding of flexibility, and provide benefits to
state regulators when evaluating data center integration, without shifting costs to
customers or compromising grid reliability.”
Initial framework participants include Alliant Energy, Arizona Public Service, California
ISO, El Centro Nacional de Control de Energía (CENACE), Compass Datacenters,
Constellation Energy, DTE Energy, Entergy, Exelon, Georgia Transmission Corporation,
Google, Honeywell, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), ING, Jenbacher,
Korea Power Exchange (KPX), KPMG, LG Pado, Lincoln Electric System, Lower
Colorado River Authority, Meta, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO),
Nebraska Public Power District, NERC, New York Power Authority, NVIDIA, Portland
General Electric, PSEG, Rayburn Electric, Salt River Project, Siemens, Southern
Company, Southwest Power Pool, and United Power.
To learn more about Flex MOSAIC and sign the open letter about the effort, visit:
When Data Centers Flex: New paths to powering AI growth
For more information on DCFlex, visit https://dcflex.epri.com/.
Contact:
Rachel Gantz
Senior Manager of Corporate Media Relations
202-293-7517
rgantz@epri.com
About EPRI
Founded in 1972, EPRI is the world’s preeminent independent, non-profit energy research
and development organization, with offices around the world. EPRI’s trusted experts
collaborate with more than 450 companies in 45 countries, driving innovation to ensure the
public has clean, safe, reliable, and affordable access to electricity across the globe.
Together…shaping the future of energy.®
