We all know US data center growth is surging and that it’s straining an outdated, tired grid. Grid access is a real problem, but there's another question looming in the minds of data center operators: is my data center receiving and using power as efficiently as possible? For most, the honest answer is that improvements are likely needed to achieve optimal data center performance.
AI changed the shape of demand
The arrival of AI workloads didn't just increase average power consumption; it changed its character entirely. Traditional data workloads draw power at relatively predictable rates, whereas AI introduces complex models and queries that can spike demand dramatically, then fall back just as quickly, creating peaks and valleys that strain infrastructure designed for steadier loads.
Hyperscale campuses that once drew 20 to 50 megawatts now routinely plan for 100 megawatts or more, requiring a fundamentally different approach to power delivery.
With global data center energy demand projected to rise by 175 percent by 2030, US utilities are trying to quickly add capacity but are still falling short of what AI, cloud computing, and electrification trends require annually.
