Nvidia-backed trial shows AI data centers can flexibly adjust power use in near real time, with global implications for energy consumption — suggests hyperscalers can reduce consumption as necessary, ensuring grid isn’t overloaded during peak demand

Electricity transmission towers.

A U.K. study run by the National Grid, Nvidia, Emerald AI, and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) just showed that AI data centers do not need to run at peak demand at all times. According to Bloomberg, the report suggests that hyperscalers can quickly adjust their power consumption as needed, ensuring that the grid is not overloaded when other consumers increase demand, while also using excess power from renewable energy when demand falls. If AI tech companies agree to this arrangement, it could allow them to go online much sooner, especially as the lack of available grid power has been hampering the deployment of more AI GPUs.

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(Image credit: Microsoft)

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