Welcome to the inaugural DCFlex monthly update newsletter! As data center load forecasts continue to be revised upward across nearly every U.S. region and around the globe, the questions DCFlex was created to address are becoming increasingly urgent. Growth driven by AI, cloud, and large-scale compute is reshaping grid planning, operations, and investment decisions. This month’s DCFlex updates highlight the latest research, collaborations, and upcoming engagements.
DCFlex Launches Flex MOSAIC™
One of the biggest constraints slowing data center deployment today is the speed to power. To address this bottleneck, EPRI is launching Flex MOSAIC™, a uniform flexibility classification framework for large electric loads. This framework was developed by the DCFlex initiative and announced 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 creating a common understanding of what flexibility a load can deliver, it may shorten interconnection timelines, improve grid planning confidence, and accelerate access to power without compromising reliability or affordability.
“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."
Through greater transparency and consistent, performance based flexibility classes, the framework benefits utilities, system operators, and developers alike—supporting reliable integration of large loads while enabling facilities to be designed with flexibility in mind and expanding siting and interconnection options.
Initial framework participants include 30+ domestic and international utilities, utility/grid operators, hyperscalers, technology providers and data center developers. See them all here: dcflex.epri.com/flex-mosaic.
What We're Learning
New EPRI research on AI-driven load growth. EPRI recently published Powering Intelligence (link), presenting updated scenarios for U.S. data center electricity demand and power strategies. The analysis shows demand growth estimates 60% higher than projections from 18 months ago, with data centers potentially accounting for 9%–17% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. Today, Virginia is the only state where data centers exceed 20% of electricity consumption; by 2030, Oregon, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Wyoming, Arizona, and Indiana could join that group.
Balancing speed and affordability. A new public Quick Insight, Balancing Speed and Affordability: The NIPSCO GenCo Model for Hyperscale Load Growth (link), explores approaches to serving large loads while managing cost and system impacts.
DCFlex–Stanford collaboration. EPRI partnered with Stanford on a joint DCFlex–Stanford Bits & Watts webcast, AI-Driven Load: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities. The webinar examined emerging load patterns, grid challenges, and opportunities for flexibility. A replay is available for those who missed the live session. (link)
By the Numbers
65+ — Organizations now collaborating in DCFlex across utilities, hyperscalers, OEMs, and policymakers. Recent additions include Chevron, Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in Ireland, RWE in Germany, and Kraken.
9 — Active DCFlex demonstration projects underway. In early February, the program announced expansion to six additional sites, further broadening real-world validation of flexibility approaches. Click hereto read the press release.
25% — In a DCFlex field demonstration, a software‑based approach enabled an AI data center in Phoenix to reduce power use by 25% for three hours during peak demand, while maintaining AI quality of service, tested on a 256‑GPU cluster running representative AI workloads.
Meet a DCFlex Representative at an Upcoming Event
March 23–27 — DCFlex lead, Anuja Ratnayake, will speak at EPRI European Workshop (Prague, Czech Republic).
March 23–27 — EPRI President & CEO Arshad Mansoor, Vice President David Porter, and Vice President Morgan Scott will speak at CERAWeek (Houston, TX).
April 21–22 — DCFlex Workstream 4 Lead Nidhi Santen will speak at the Powering Decisions Optimization Summit hosted by Gurobi and Black and Veatch (Denver, CO).
About DCFlex
DCFlex brings together utilities, data center operators, and technology providers to address the grid impacts of rapid data center growth through applied research and real-world demonstrations. The initiative is organized around five integrated workstreams:
Grid-Informed Flexible Data Center Designs Developing reference architectures and operational guidance that enable data centers and co-located assets to operate flexibly and serve as grid resources.
Transformational Utility Programs Evaluating and developing program frameworks that capture the value of flexible large loads without compromising the reliability of the grid.
Grid Planning & Operations Advancing standardized taxonomies, forecasting methods, and interconnection processes to better integrate flexible large loads into grid planning.
DC-Informed Energy Supply Assessing viable energy supply options through technology analysis, system modeling, and scorecard frameworks to inform investment and planning decisions.
Distribution-Tied Data Centers Addressing the unique technical, operational, and programmatic considerations associated with distribution-connected data centers.
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