Technical Challenges of AI Data Center Integration into Power Grids—A Survey

Abstract

The rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence is fueling the growth of hyperscale data centers, which introduces significant challenges to existing power systems. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive survey of these integration challenges, specifically from the perspective of power grid utility. We find that AI data centers function as a distinct load category, characterized by high power density, rapid and large-scale power transients, and specific power quality profiles. These attributes create difficulties for long-term resource adequacy and transmission planning due to mismatched development timelines. They also strain real-time grid balancing and introduce risks to system stability, such as voltage and frequency deviations and converter-driven instabilities. The analysis further covers the economic and environmental footprints associated with this new type of consumer. The paper concludes that safely integrating these loads requires a coordinated strategy, encompassing data center-side technologies, grid-enhancing solutions, and new policy frameworks.