To Make Way For Data Centers, Google Will Pay Others to Use Less Power

Google is funding one of the nation’s largest “virtual power plants,” paying homes and businesses indirectly to reduce electricity consumption during periods of peak demand so more grid capacity can be available for data centers. Under its expanded deal with Voltus, the program could provide up to 1,070 megawatts in the Mid-Atlantic PJM grid – roughly the output of a large nuclear reactor. The New York Times reports: That electricity won’t come from new power plants.