Demand growth driven by data centers and AI utilities and developers face increasing complexity in planning and integration. AI-driven infrastructure is further reshaping demand characteristics, introducing high power density, steep ramp rates, large peak-to-average ratios, and highly variable operating profiles. This session provides a focused overview of large and AI-based load integration, organized around utility requirements and the behind-the-meter design strategies used to meet them.

The utility requirements segment will provide an overview of new and emerging utility requirements for interconnecting large loads.  The session will also provide insight as to why new requirements are being considered and how these can impact the operation of AI loads.

The second segment shifts to the customer and developer perspective, focusing on how behind-the-meter system design can be aligned with utility requirements. The session will provide examples highlighting design strategies and technology solutions used to mitigate grid impacts, including on-site energy storage systems, UPS, and power conditioning equipment, software-defined power controls, load ramp-rate management, and flexible operating modes.