Energy regulators warned data centers could be cut off as a heat wave swept the mid-Atlantic states.
PJM, which runs the regional grid, said "demand response" kept power consumption manageable.
Dark smoke was seen rising from a Virginia data center. Other big loads also ran diesel generators.
Ashburn, Virginia, is in the heart of America's "data center alley." Over the July 4 weekend, diesel generators at a Digital Realty data center switched on as temperatures spiked.
Dark smoke floated above ACC9, one of dozens of data centers clustered in Ashburn and nearby cities, according to a video and photos from July 3 seen by Business Insider. The company said it turned on generators as part of a program run by the electrical grid operator, PJM Interconnection, to reduce the load on the grid during times of peak demand.
PJM, which runs the regional grid, said "demand response" kept power consumption manageable.
Dark smoke was seen rising from a Virginia data center. Other big loads also ran diesel generators.
Ashburn, Virginia, is in the heart of America's "data center alley." Over the July 4 weekend, diesel generators at a Digital Realty data center switched on as temperatures spiked.
Dark smoke floated above ACC9, one of dozens of data centers clustered in Ashburn and nearby cities, according to a video and photos from July 3 seen by Business Insider. The company said it turned on generators as part of a program run by the electrical grid operator, PJM Interconnection, to reduce the load on the grid during times of peak demand.
4 months ago
