893: Data Centers Aren’t the Problem: Grid Fitness Explained by Tyler Norris & Nelson Abramson

Data centers aren’t the problem.

They’re the stress test.

As AI-driven demand surges, the grid is being pushed in ways it was never designed for. But instead of asking how to slow data centers down, today’s conversation asks a better question: Is the grid fit enough to handle what’s coming next?

In this Tactical Tuesday episode, recorded live with the Smart Electric Power Alliance, we explore grid fitness — a new way of thinking about flexibility, planning, and speed to power.

SEPA’s Ann Collier is joined by Tyler Norris and Nelson Abramson to break down what the data actually shows, what’s already working in the field, and what has to change upstream in planning and policy.

Expect to learn:

🔹 Why data centers expose grid weaknesses rather than cause them

🔹 How 0.25% flexibility could unlock 76 GW of capacity

🔹 What “planning-grade flexibility” really means

🔹 Why batteries and design matter more than demand response

🔹 How grid fitness changes interconnection strategy

This episode offers a front-row seat to how utilities, regulators, and hyperscalers can move from cautious conversation to confident execution.

Hit play and reimagine what data centers can do.

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