Data Centers Rethink Bridge-to-Grid Power Strategies

As demand for data center capacity accelerates, lengthy utility interconnection delays are forcing developers to reconsider how they plan and invest in onsite power generation. 

In a recent Energy Changemakers article, Thornton Tomasetti Associate Principal Emily Kunkel discusses how the traditional bridge-to-grid approach is evolving as developers face utility connection timelines extending well beyond initial expectations. With some projects facing delays of 10 to 15 years, what was intended as temporary onsite generation may instead become a primary energy source for much of a facility's operating life. That shift has significant implications for system design, operational efficiency, long-term energy costs, and decarbonization. 

Kunkel emphasizes the importance of planning for long-term performance from the outset. Strategies may include deploying rapid-start generation technologies initially, then integrating more efficient combined-cycle systems, battery storage, and renewable energy as operating requirements evolve. The article also explores how developers can manage the economics of behind-the-meter power, meet sustainability objectives, and prepare for eventual grid connectivity.

Planning for Data Center Power Needs? Speak with our team to explore resilient, cost-effective power strategies