Data Center Microgrids: Emily Kunkel on Reliability, Inertia and Behind-the-Meter Power Strategy

As data center demands surge and interconnection queues lengthen, operators are looking for ways to secure reliable power. Increasingly, they are looking to microgrids and other behind-the-meter solutions to deliver grid level reliability, rampability and high uptime. 

In a recent Microgrid Knowledge article, Associate Principal Emily Kunkel of Thornton Tomasetti’s Applied Science practice explains why it remains challenging to match the inertia and robustness of the traditional grid when power is supplied by onsite generation and storage. 

Kunkel highlights how Thornton Tomasetti works with data center operators to calibrate redundancy and capital investment across their power systems – from microgrid concepts for smaller sites to multi-gigawatt portfolios that spread risk and improve reliability by combining renewables, conventional generation, backup systems and storage. As microgrids become core infrastructure, delivering true uptime depends on thoughtful design, robust control strategies, and a diversified energy mix tailored to each facility.

Read more at Microgrid Knowledge