Researchers Yousef Abudyak, Mohsen Alizadeh, and Wei Sun from the University of California, Irvine, have published a study in the IEEE Transactions on Power Systems that addresses the growing challenges posed by hyperscale data centers to power systems. Their work focuses on mitigating the load risks associated with these facilities and enabling them to support the grid, rather than merely drawing power from it.
The rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers, driven by the increasing demand for Large Language Models and Artificial Intelligence workloads, has introduced new challenges for power systems. These data centers experience sudden power fluctuations during model training and checkpoint-saving events, which can cause voltage deviations and frequency disturbances. Additionally, they operate as passive loads, meaning they consume power without providing any support to the grid.
The researchers propose an integrated architecture that combines Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) within data centers using Grid-Forming inverters. This setup allows data centers to provide active grid-support functions. Simulation results, conducted through MATLAB/Simulink, demonstrate that eight coordinated BESS units can supply instantaneous power during training and saving conditions, ensuring accurate power reference tracking under dynamic loading.
The study also shows that during single-phase voltage depression near the data center bus, the BESS can deliver reactive power support similar to a Static Synchronous Compensator. Furthermore, in the event of grid disconnection, the proposed architecture enables seamless islanded operation with stable voltage, frequency, and continuous power delivery at the data center bus.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector are significant. By integrating BESSs with Grid-Forming inverters, data centers can become active participants in grid stability and support. This can help mitigate the risks associated with sudden power fluctuations and reduce the strain on power systems. Additionally, the ability to operate in islanded mode can enhance the resilience of data centers during grid outages, ensuring continuous operation and service availability.
The research was published in the IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, a prestigious journal that focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of power system engineering and operation. This study highlights the potential for data centers to play a more active role in supporting the grid, contributing to a more stable and resilient energy infrastructure.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.