Unpacking DOE's proposal to transform data center interconnection

30 snips

Oct 30, 2025

Guest

Tyler Norris

Guest

Allison Clements

Allison Clements, former FERC commissioner, and Tyler Norris, a doctoral researcher at Duke University, dive into the implications of the DOE's push to fast-track interconnection for large loads. They discuss how this proposal could standardize interconnection procedures and shift jurisdiction from states to federal authority. The conversation covers the potential for hybrid facilities, required durations for load flexibility, and how these changes could both enhance and complicate grid integration. With expert insights, they unveil the future landscape of digital infrastructure.

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INSIGHT

FERC Rarely Refuses DOE Direction

FERC sometimes rejects DOE requests but usually complies, so denial is possible but rare.
The 2017 coal/nuclear request was a notable exception when FERC unanimously declined to act.

INSIGHT

Why FERC Has Legal Leverage Here

FERC has clear jurisdiction over transmission practices, while states control generation and distribution.
New large loads directly affect transmission rates, strengthening the legal case for FERC oversight of interconnection.

INSIGHT

Core Proposal: Hybrid + Curtailable Fast Track

The ANOPR emphasizes studying co-located generation and load together and accelerating curtailable load interconnection.
It proposes study timelines capped at 60 days for curtailable facilities to speed 'speed to power.'

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Last Thursday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to consider rulemaking to fast-track interconnection for large loads — as long as they agree to be curtailable or colocate with dispatchable generation.

So what does this proposal actually mean for interconnection?

In this episode, Shayle talks with Allison Clements, former FERC commissioner and current partner with digital infrastructure advisory firm ASG. Allison is also principal of 804 Advisory. Shayle also talks with Tyler Norris, doctoral student at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Allison, Tyler, and Shayle cover topics like:

How the proposal would standardize interconnection procedures for certain large loads, with study periods no longer than 60 days

The jurisdictional shift: asserting federal authority over a process traditionally under state purview

The types of eligible loads, including traditional data centers as well as ones that colocate with generation, also known as “hybrid facilities”

The duration of flexibility and whether 2-hour, 4-hour, or longer durations are needed for curtailment

Whether flexibility resources should be behind-the-meter or front-of-meter

The potential disadvantages for bring-your-own-supply or bring-your-own-VPP

Resources:

Latitude Media: Wright directs FERC to fast track large load interconnection

Latitude Media: How the world’s first flexible AI factory will work in tandem with the grid

Latitude Media: OpenAI pushes the White House to invest in the grid to compete with China

E3: Demand Response as a Capacity Resource in SPP’s Era of Data Center Growth

Canary Media: In a first, a data center is using a big battery to get online faster

Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Daniel Woldorff. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor.

Catalyst is brought to you by EnergyHub. EnergyHub helps utilities build next-generation virtual power plants that unlock reliable flexibility at every level of the grid. See how EnergyHub helps unlock the power of flexibility at scale, and deliver more value through cross-DER dispatch with their leading Edge DERMS platform, by visiting energyhub.com.

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