Grid Under Pressure: Understanding the Data Center Surge, Part 1

Draft Agenda

Data centers are driving historic changes in utility planning and interconnection processes. Their rapid growth is reshaping load forecasts, infrastructure investment priorities, and regulatory frameworks. Part 1 of this 3-part series tackles the immediate challenge of integrating large data center loads into the grid. It focuses on operational and planning strategies to manage rapid growth without compromising reliability or affordability. Attendees will learn how these strategies can be used to navigate overlapping jurisdictions while balancing speed, reliability, and affordability.

9:00 – 9:10         Welcome Remarks
Sarah Justus, Public Relations Manager, kp environmental, WPUI Board Chair

9:10 – 9:50          Planning for Scale and Speed – Utilities and regional transmission organizations are revising load forecasts upward at historic rates, with data centers emerging as a primary driver. Even if projections are overstated, growth remains far above historical averages. This session will examine how planners are adapting via scenario modeling, siting strategies, and innovative “speed‑to‑power” options, including grid‑enhancing technologies, flexible interconnection processes, and co‑location with generation. Attendees will gain insight into how these tools can accelerate planning timelines while maintaining reliability.
Clayton Barrows, Group Manager, Grid Operations Planning Group, National Laboratory of the Rockies

9:50 – 10:30       Jurisdictional Complexity: Navigating State and Federal Oversight – State commissions, regional transmission organizations, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission each play a role in shaping interconnection rules, cost allocation, and queue management. This session will unpack the regulatory interplay and highlight recent reforms that aim to streamline processes while ensuring fairness. Learn what these changes mean for utilities, developers, and regulators who are all working under tight timelines.
Moderator:
Ben Reiter, Counsel, Akin
Panel:
Natalie Frick, Leader: Energy Markets & Planning Department, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
DL Oates, Executive Director Market and Grid Research, Midcontinent Independent System Operator
Elizabeth Salerno, Principal, GQS New Energy Strategies

10:30 – 10:40      Break

10:40 – 11:20       Utility Coordination and Regulatory Strategy – Utilities are facing a surge in proposals for data centers. This session explores strategies utilities are deploying to protect existing customers from adverse cost shifts while meeting reliability obligations and how collaborative planning with regulators can ensure that infrastructure upgrades are funded equitably.
Moderator:
Sarah Freeman, Principal, Regulatory Assistance Project
Panel:
Sophie Meyer, Director of Power Systems, Grid Strategies
Cheri Monahan, Director of Customer & Business Solutions, ITC Midwest
Becky Valcq, President, Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin Energy Company and Vice President of Energy Delivery, Alliant Energy

11:20 – 12:00      Data Center Developer Perspectives – Understand what data center developers’ priorities are and how they are balancing multiple interests including speed‑to‑market, firm capacity, cost management, sustainability goals, and siting trade-offs while also exploring an emerging interest in co‑located generation.
Moderator:
Aaron Tinjum, Vice President, Energy, Data Center Coalition
Panel:
Tyler Huebner, Energy and Market Development Central U.S. Region Manager, Google
Craig McKesson, Chief Commercial Officer, Takanock, LLC