Pre-Conference Day

Power scarcity is now the principal limiting factor for Mid-Atlantic data center deployment. This workshop explores how hyperscalers, colocators, utilities, PJM Interconnection, and project partners can collaborate to reduce project delays, unlock shared infrastructure opportunities, and anticipate long-term grid limitations.

This workshop will gather experts to discuss:

• Mapping regional grid capacity across Mid-Atlantic states to identify viable sites earlier, avoid overloaded substations, and inform long-range development pipelines
• Integrating power planning into early-stage development strategy to assess timelines, infrastructure needs, and constraints before committing capital and land
• Exploring shared infrastructure and regional energy partnerships to unlock cost efficiencies and expand capacity options in grid constrained areas
• Creating cross-jurisdictional collaboration frameworks that bring together states, municipalities, utilities, and PJM Interconnection to plan for 5–10 years of sustained load growth

The Mid-Atlantic is now confronting the industry’s most severe misalignment between

data center construction speed and utility infrastructure timelines. This panel will unpack

what needs to change to accelerate energization and reduce costly uncertainty.

This workshop will gather experts to discuss:

• Understanding utility perspective: What underpins successful partnerships?
• Engaging utilities earlier in the site-selection and design process to secure accurate power timelines before capital and land decisions are locked in
• Improving transparency around utility schedules, capacity forecasts, and grid upgrade schedules to enable realistic project planning
• Addressing when interim bridge strategies should be an option to allow construction and commissioning to continue while waiting for long-lead grid infrastructure

In today’s tech centered world, building more data centers are front and center of most conversations. Are MEPs being blamed for rising energy costs, noise and more? There are a number of steps that can be taken to minimize these challenges.

This workshop will gather experts to discuss:

• Implementing on-site generation to reduce grid dependency and improve resiliency
• Leveraging battery storage systems for peak shaving, backup power, and energy optimization
• Evaluating the benefits of HD/AC approaches in mechanical systems to enhance efficiency and performance