Northern Virginia Data-Center Trip Exposes a 3-Gigawatt Grid Blind Spot

A 3-gigawatt synchronized disconnection of Northern Virginia data centres from the PJM grid on 22 July exposed a critical blind spot: backup power systems designed to protect individual facilities collectively destabilised the regional transmission network. FERC has ordered new computational-load reliability standards by December 2026, and Texas has already approved ride-through rules effective August 2026.

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