Tech Companies Need a Hedge Against Worrisome Grid Politics

“Data centers are not the villain, but it may be impossible for them to win the debate in a hostile environment, and the industry would be wise to protect itself against political warfare, writes Travis Fisher of Cato.”

“So, what can the industry do to protect itself from a populist uprising? One alternative is to allow new industrial customers to develop or join a private, fully off-grid energy system. My colleague Glen Lyons and I call this idea Consumer-Regulated Electricity, or CRE.

Going one step further than typical “behind-the-meter” arrangements with generators, CRE would enable a new, islanded system with no physical connection to the regulated grid. A data center could join many others on an industrial campus powered by whatever resources make sense — solar, batteries, gas turbines, nuclear reactors, you name it — and operate without connection to the utility grid.

Importantly, the lack of a grid connection also means freedom from political meddling.”

https://www.rtoinsider.com/125218-tech-companies-hedge-against-worrisome-grid-politics/