Virtual power plants rise to tackle data center challenge | Reuters

Virtual power plants—aggregated networks of batteries, EVs, and smart thermostats—are becoming primary peak-load suppliers to data centers and utilities across the US, with capacity rising 13.7% to 37.5 GW in 2025 and major tech firms (Google, Tesla, Sunrun) now building 16 GW+ VPPs to serve hyperscalers. State-sponsored programs and private partnerships demonstrate VPPs can deliver equivalent grid capacity at one-twentieth the cost and one-tenth the build time of gas plants.

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