A collation of articles pertaining to Energy Users, and their role (and engagement) in the energy transition
From NERC on Monday 4th May 2026 is this Level 3 Alert published by NERC with respect to ‘Computational Load Modeling, Studies, Instrumentation, Commissioning, Operations, Protection, and Control’:
Through (late February and ) March 2026, there’s been a series of different publications from different organisations, domestically and internationally, relating to Large Loads (and specifically Data Centres).
On 30th March 2026, the Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG) has released this new white paper: ’Historical and Modern Large Loads Characteristics, Context, and Industry Actions to Meet Grid and Customer Needs’.
On 25th March 2026, the ESIG Large Loads task force released its 24-page report ‘Large Load Disturbance Events’:
On 3rd March 2026, the Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG) has released the report ‘Large Load Performance Requirements – Current Practices and Recommendations’.
On 17th March 2026 the NERC published the 66-page ‘Aggregated Report on NERC Level 2 Industry Recommendation: Large Load Interconnection, Study, Commissioning, and Operations’.
On 11th March 2026, the NERC published the White Paper ‘Assessment of Gaps in Existing Practices, Requirements, and Reliability Standards for Emerging Large Loads’ published
On Monday 23rd March 2026, the Federal Government published ‘Expectations of data centres and AI infrastructure developers’ .
On 12th March 2026, the AEMC noted that they propose ‘... new grid standards for data centre connections’.
Mitch O'Neill examines how data centres have rapidly replaced hydrogen in planning models as the dominant new source of electricity demand, and what their power density and locational constraints may mean for the grid.
A quick note to call attention to this recent alert from NERC with respect to ‘Large Load Interconnection, Study, Commissioning, and Operations’
A short article tying together two independent events - both related to Energy Intensive Energy Users
Warwick Forster looks at the evolving role of data centres in portfolio management and corporate sustainability ambitions.
A short note (and link to) the Mandala report titled ‘Empowering Australia’s Digital Future Data Centres: Essential digital infrastructure underpinning everyday life’.
For ease of future reference (with more analysis coming - time permitting) we've extracted what we can find in the 2024 ESOO about Data Centre electricity consumption, and growth forecasts.
On Wed 1st and Thu 2nd May 2024 I appreciated the opportunity to participate in the EUAA National Conference for 2024. Here's the start of some reflections.
Guest author, Drew Donnelly, compares case studies of Argentine and Australia to highlight risks in under and over-investment in network infrastructure
A collection of thoughts that have been bumping around in my head for some time about the latest push by various parties to facilitate a broader range of demand response in the NEM, and whether there are better options
In Michael's fourth article of the series, he looks at the power of analysing electricity usage data to understand where and when users consume electricity so that they can identify cost saving opportunities.
In our guest author's third article, Michael Williams comments on the growing trend for corporate energy buyers to contract directly with certain wind and/or solar plant for renewable energy supply over a longer-term time period. Mike shares some insights that could be of value to...