Large Load Risk

One of the reliability risks associated with the influx of large computational loads is that they may transfer from the grid to a backup power supply, rather than Ride-through occasional faults that trip transmission Facilities.  This sudden, massive reduction in demand could in turn lead to frequency and voltage changes that impact grid stability. NERC released two incident reviews describing such occurrences in Northern Virginia and Texas over the past two years. On July 22, 2026, after a fault on a 230 kV transmission line, numerous data centers in Northern Virginia transferred off grid power to their backup source. The sudden reduction of roughly 3,000 MW of load led to a rapid frequency spike observed across the Eastern Interconnection. Fortunately, existing control systems were able to bring conditions back to normal operating ranges, but it took longer than usual with such a large change in power flow.

NERC’s Large Load Working Group (LLWG) broadly addressed these risks and other and gaps in two white papers last year and a reliability guideline this spring. A new draft white paper, Large Load Disturbance Performance, focuses on the subset of risks involving large load Ride-through concerns. This white paper:

• Examines these disturbances
• Introduces the term customer-initiated load reduction (CILR) events
• Reviews eight disturbance performance requirement recommendations.

One recommendation from the white paper is to use recently adopted measures developed by ERCOT and stakeholders for ERCOT’s NOGRR282 as a baseline for future NERC-wide requirements. NOGRR282 defines voltage and frequency Ride-through capability for large computational loads and also addresses the large loads’ return to normal operations, which also must be managed to avoid a too-rapid increase in power consumption. Local modifications to meet the needs of different grid areas outside ERCOT could be determined by system-specific analysis. 

NERC’s LLWG is drafting a Standard Authorization Request to initiate a disturbance performance Standard for computational loads per the whitepaper.  The urgency is reinforced by FERC’s order in Docket RD26-7-000 for NERC to file a plan for additional Standard development for integration of computational loads by March 31, 2027, in addition to NERC’s initial computational loads Standards in Project 2026-02 to be filed by the end of 2026.