Google funds virtual power plant to free grid capacity for data centers

Google expanded its deal with Voltus to pay homes and businesses in the Mid-Atlantic PJM grid to cut electricity use at peak times, freeing capacity for data centers. The program could provide up to 1,070 MW, roughly the output of a large nuclear reactor.

• Program capacity in PJM grid reaches up to 1,070 MW
• Cuts happen automatically via smart thermostats and batteries
• Google calls virtual power plants a critical short-term fix