sylvain gignac
@sylvaingignac.bsky.social
Electric Grid & Energy Systems
Use 🔌💡 for #energysky
Use 🔌💡 for #energysky
Good question heard today = At what point does an external AI, not its physical assets, become a functional part of grid planning or operations? If system operators increasingly rely on AI tools for forecasting, siting, topology optimization, situational awareness, and tutti quanti.
November 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Good question heard today = At what point does an external AI, not its physical assets, become a functional part of grid planning or operations? If system operators increasingly rely on AI tools for forecasting, siting, topology optimization, situational awareness, and tutti quanti.
"Currently, Quebec has 81 data centers. Consumption in this industry in the province is projected to increase sevenfold, giving an idea of the increase in the number and size of these server buildings over the next 10 years."
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/220...
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/220...
Hydro-Québec anticipe le boom des centres de données
Hydro-Québec a presque doublé sa prévision de consommation d'électricité des centres de données, avec la nouvelle vision économique du gouvernement Legault.
ici.radio-canada.ca
November 24, 2025 at 12:53 PM
"Currently, Quebec has 81 data centers. Consumption in this industry in the province is projected to increase sevenfold, giving an idea of the increase in the number and size of these server buildings over the next 10 years."
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/220...
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/220...
NERC tells FERC the rapid growth of large loads = a core reliability challenge. DC/AI loads are scaling too fast to forecast + already causing disturbances. NERC stresses that AI/DC should fall under NERC’s reliability scope.
www.nerc.com/newsroom/ner...
www.nerc.com/newsroom/ner...
NERC Files Comments in Response to FERC’s Large Loads ANOPR
www.nerc.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:32 PM
NERC tells FERC the rapid growth of large loads = a core reliability challenge. DC/AI loads are scaling too fast to forecast + already causing disturbances. NERC stresses that AI/DC should fall under NERC’s reliability scope.
www.nerc.com/newsroom/ner...
www.nerc.com/newsroom/ner...
Great study on EGS as a game-changer for western and northern 🇨🇦. It already appears cost-competitive with other baseload options. But the real value is its flexibility, providing a backstop to variable gen and a credible CO2 free-answer to increasing energy deficits.
November 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Great study on EGS as a game-changer for western and northern 🇨🇦. It already appears cost-competitive with other baseload options. But the real value is its flexibility, providing a backstop to variable gen and a credible CO2 free-answer to increasing energy deficits.
"...the technology can also be harmful if misapplied. In one high-profile example, around 40,000 Michigan residents were wrongly accused of unemployment insurance fraud based on a state AI system with a faulty algorithm and inadequate human oversight." 🤷♂️ // power grid
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
November 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
"...the technology can also be harmful if misapplied. In one high-profile example, around 40,000 Michigan residents were wrongly accused of unemployment insurance fraud based on a state AI system with a faulty algorithm and inadequate human oversight." 🤷♂️ // power grid
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
Reposted by sylvain gignac
" ... No other country has made such a substantial recent policy U-turn in the past year, turning against renewables deployment at the same time as it is seeing electricity demand leap up thanks to data centers."
heatmap.news/energy/iea-w...
heatmap.news/energy/iea-w...
Data Centers and Natural Gas Are Bending the Climate Transition Curve, IEA Says
The group’s latest World Energy Outlook reflects the sharp swerve in U.S. policy over the past year.
heatmap.news
November 19, 2025 at 6:02 PM
" ... No other country has made such a substantial recent policy U-turn in the past year, turning against renewables deployment at the same time as it is seeing electricity demand leap up thanks to data centers."
heatmap.news/energy/iea-w...
heatmap.news/energy/iea-w...
Reposted by sylvain gignac
Grid Strategies has analyzed utilities' summer peak load forecasts: an astounding 166 GW, with data centers representing 90 GW. But it cautions that the utility industry has a long history of exaggerated forecasts to justify massive investments in power plants & grid infrastructure.
November 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Grid Strategies has analyzed utilities' summer peak load forecasts: an astounding 166 GW, with data centers representing 90 GW. But it cautions that the utility industry has a long history of exaggerated forecasts to justify massive investments in power plants & grid infrastructure.
2025–2026 Winter Reliability Assessment = "Potential for insufficient operating reserves in normal peak conditions" If demand leads to a shortfall of generation and all operating reserves are exhausted, manual load shed may be needed to stabilize the system.
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
www.nerc.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:11 PM
2025–2026 Winter Reliability Assessment = "Potential for insufficient operating reserves in normal peak conditions" If demand leads to a shortfall of generation and all operating reserves are exhausted, manual load shed may be needed to stabilize the system.
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
Large computational loads are forcing a permanent shift in how we plan, model, and operate the grid. The era of predictable, passive demand is over. Recommended read for planners, ops, and AI/DC developers. I’m honestly overwhelmed by the scale of the work ahead.
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
November 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Large computational loads are forcing a permanent shift in how we plan, model, and operate the grid. The era of predictable, passive demand is over. Recommended read for planners, ops, and AI/DC developers. I’m honestly overwhelmed by the scale of the work ahead.
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
www.nerc.com/globalassets...
"Rack densities have gone from an average of 6 kilowatts per rack eight years ago to the point where racks are now shipping with 270 kW,” says David Holmes, the global industries CTO at Dell Technologies. “Next year, 480 kW will be ready, and megawatt racks will be with us within two years.”
Microfluidics: the next frontier in AI chip cooling. Explore how this technology could transform data center efficiency.
Microfluidics: The Secret to Cooler, Faster AI Chips
Microfluidics cools chips efficiently, lowering temperatures by 80 percent. How does this impact AI and high-performance computing?
spectrum.ieee.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:13 PM
"Rack densities have gone from an average of 6 kilowatts per rack eight years ago to the point where racks are now shipping with 270 kW,” says David Holmes, the global industries CTO at Dell Technologies. “Next year, 480 kW will be ready, and megawatt racks will be with us within two years.”
Solid analysis on why gas is getting expensive in the Northeast. Interested in getting further studies on how to replace it to tackle winter peaks.
Natural gas supply, transmission, and distribution costs drive energy bills higher in related and distinct ways.
Here are five leading causes for cost increases.
acadiacenter.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/u...
Here are five leading causes for cost increases.
acadiacenter.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/u...
November 14, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Solid analysis on why gas is getting expensive in the Northeast. Interested in getting further studies on how to replace it to tackle winter peaks.
"The revival of the pipeline project came as part of a deal Gov. Kathy Hochul reportedly struck with the Trump administration in order to save the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project, which the federal government had sought to shut down mid-construction."
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/07/w...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/07/w...
State Permits Trump-Backed Natural Gas Pipeline in New York Waters
The Williams pipeline would span 17 miles near the Rockaways and Staten Island. The state had rejected the project three times previously.
www.thecity.nyc
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 PM
"The revival of the pipeline project came as part of a deal Gov. Kathy Hochul reportedly struck with the Trump administration in order to save the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project, which the federal government had sought to shut down mid-construction."
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/07/w...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/07/w...
Reposted by sylvain gignac
The twin peaks far out on the horizon are north and south Chalone Peaks, in Pinnacles National Park about 60 miles away.
November 2, 2025 at 10:36 PM
The twin peaks far out on the horizon are north and south Chalone Peaks, in Pinnacles National Park about 60 miles away.
Reposted by sylvain gignac
Yet when rooftop solar is framed as being about "energy freedom," pro-solar policies can be popular even in red states, as I argue here: (2/2)
www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/19/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/19/1...
How to make clean energy progress under Trump in the states—blue and red alike
Cheaper energy bills are a nonpartisan issue—no matter where you live.
www.technologyreview.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Yet when rooftop solar is framed as being about "energy freedom," pro-solar policies can be popular even in red states, as I argue here: (2/2)
www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/19/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/19/1...
More are claiming that “Time to drop the goal of climate neutrality. It will be expensive, the climate effect is uncertain and the money could be used smarter.” But as extreme events ↑ disrupt energy systems, this argument ignores the real cost of inaction.🤷♂️
www.energiogklima.no/meninger-og-...
www.energiogklima.no/meninger-og-...
På tide å droppe målet om klimanøytralitet
Det vil bli dyrt, klimaeffekten er usikker og pengene kan brukes smartere. Stortingets mål om at Norge skal være klimanøytralt fra 2030, bør avskaffes, skriver Zero-leder Stig Schjølset.
www.energiogklima.no
October 30, 2025 at 4:47 PM
More are claiming that “Time to drop the goal of climate neutrality. It will be expensive, the climate effect is uncertain and the money could be used smarter.” But as extreme events ↑ disrupt energy systems, this argument ignores the real cost of inaction.🤷♂️
www.energiogklima.no/meninger-og-...
www.energiogklima.no/meninger-og-...
In Thyborøn, Denmark, local community built one of the world’s largest wind turbines. No protests, no delays. 2800 citizens co-own the 15 MW turbine and share profits.
www.nrk.no/sorlandet/xl...
www.nrk.no/sorlandet/xl...
266 meter høy: innbyggerne jubler over gigant
Nylig ble verdens største kommersielle vindturbin reist på Jylland, og det skjedde uten én eneste klage.
www.nrk.no
October 29, 2025 at 12:23 PM
In Thyborøn, Denmark, local community built one of the world’s largest wind turbines. No protests, no delays. 2800 citizens co-own the 15 MW turbine and share profits.
www.nrk.no/sorlandet/xl...
www.nrk.no/sorlandet/xl...
Reposted by sylvain gignac
Like any event that changes daily routines, Halloween impacts load curves across the country
Over the past 9 years, real-time load has underperformed almost all of PJM’s forecasts over the evening peak, precisely during prime trick-or-treating hours 🔌💡
Over the past 9 years, real-time load has underperformed almost all of PJM’s forecasts over the evening peak, precisely during prime trick-or-treating hours 🔌💡
October 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Like any event that changes daily routines, Halloween impacts load curves across the country
Over the past 9 years, real-time load has underperformed almost all of PJM’s forecasts over the evening peak, precisely during prime trick-or-treating hours 🔌💡
Over the past 9 years, real-time load has underperformed almost all of PJM’s forecasts over the evening peak, precisely during prime trick-or-treating hours 🔌💡
If FERC loses its independence, how might that reshape NERC’s ability to uphold reliability standards, just as we’re trying to catch up with an increasingly complex grid?
www.rtoinsider.com/118169-ferc-...
www.rtoinsider.com/118169-ferc-...
FERC Veterans Share Worries over Agency’s Independence
A pair of FERC veterans told attendees at the Nodal Trader conference that they fear for the agency's independence.
www.rtoinsider.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:29 PM
If FERC loses its independence, how might that reshape NERC’s ability to uphold reliability standards, just as we’re trying to catch up with an increasingly complex grid?
www.rtoinsider.com/118169-ferc-...
www.rtoinsider.com/118169-ferc-...
NERC-Planning Energy Assurance opens for comments up Dec 5, 2025. Dealing with "inconsistent output from variable energy resources, coincident with unassured deliverability of fuel supplies
and volatility in load, can contribute to insufficient amounts of available energy on the Bulk Power System".
and volatility in load, can contribute to insufficient amounts of available energy on the Bulk Power System".
October 27, 2025 at 2:25 PM
NERC-Planning Energy Assurance opens for comments up Dec 5, 2025. Dealing with "inconsistent output from variable energy resources, coincident with unassured deliverability of fuel supplies
and volatility in load, can contribute to insufficient amounts of available energy on the Bulk Power System".
and volatility in load, can contribute to insufficient amounts of available energy on the Bulk Power System".
As NERC is developing a better understanding of AI/DC loads, "we anticipate codifying those in a reliability guideline later this year or early next year and maybe eventually even in auditable standard auditable standards."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv5K...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv5K...
Jim Robb Addresses the State of the Bulk-Power System at FERC Technical Conference
YouTube video by NERC
www.youtube.com
October 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
As NERC is developing a better understanding of AI/DC loads, "we anticipate codifying those in a reliability guideline later this year or early next year and maybe eventually even in auditable standard auditable standards."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv5K...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv5K...
Reposted by sylvain gignac
Building Community Power - our new report looks at community benefits agreements, intended to increase social acceptance. Read about California and New York’s programs to approve renewables and energy storage projects at the state level with community support. climateandcommunity.org/wp-content/u...
October 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Building Community Power - our new report looks at community benefits agreements, intended to increase social acceptance. Read about California and New York’s programs to approve renewables and energy storage projects at the state level with community support. climateandcommunity.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by sylvain gignac
data there via @gridstatus.io
had some nice conversations with the folks on the story over the last month
had some nice conversations with the folks on the story over the last month
Grid scale batteries are changing our electricity system. Excellent new visual story on batteries in FT today shows just how far this technology has evolved.
Fasten your seatbelts, this is just the beginning.
ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...
Fasten your seatbelts, this is just the beginning.
ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...
October 13, 2025 at 4:34 PM
data there via @gridstatus.io
had some nice conversations with the folks on the story over the last month
had some nice conversations with the folks on the story over the last month
"Globally, we are facing a systemic risk that threatens the entire society. Climate risk is unpredictable and increasing. What you have to pay for insurance as a result of climate change will gradually increase to the point where it becomes impossible to manage" www.energiogklima.no/nyhet/klimao...
Klimakrise gir forsikringskrise: Økende tap truer lønnsomhet og stabilitet
Konsekvensene av klimaendringene – som branner, flom og ekstremvær - gjør forsikringer dyrere. Selskaper sier nei til å forsikre utsatte områder. I verste fall kan dette påvirke stabiliteten i finansm...
www.energiogklima.no
September 30, 2025 at 8:47 PM
"Globally, we are facing a systemic risk that threatens the entire society. Climate risk is unpredictable and increasing. What you have to pay for insurance as a result of climate change will gradually increase to the point where it becomes impossible to manage" www.energiogklima.no/nyhet/klimao...
Reposted by sylvain gignac
Do you know that our CDRmare infographics are published under a CC-BY licence? We do this to provide fact-based, scientifically accurate graphs to help everyone communicate on the topic of #mCDR. You can browse & download all our English-language infographics here. lnkd.in/eWcmmxsN.
September 29, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Do you know that our CDRmare infographics are published under a CC-BY licence? We do this to provide fact-based, scientifically accurate graphs to help everyone communicate on the topic of #mCDR. You can browse & download all our English-language infographics here. lnkd.in/eWcmmxsN.
Reposted by sylvain gignac
A federal judge has lifted a stop-work order on Revolution Wind, handing a rare victory to the U.S. offshore wind industry amid the Trump administration’s relentless effort to torpedo it. 🔌💡
@yes-energy.bsky.social
www.rtoinsider.com/115390-judge...
@yes-energy.bsky.social
www.rtoinsider.com/115390-judge...
September 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM
A federal judge has lifted a stop-work order on Revolution Wind, handing a rare victory to the U.S. offshore wind industry amid the Trump administration’s relentless effort to torpedo it. 🔌💡
@yes-energy.bsky.social
www.rtoinsider.com/115390-judge...
@yes-energy.bsky.social
www.rtoinsider.com/115390-judge...