Workshop on Energy Needs for AI Data Centers

Workshop Details

Overview

Artificial Intelligence is transforming computation at a historic pace. AI data centers now represent a rapidly growing class of energy-intensive infrastructure with unique load profiles and cooling needs. Their development has major implications for planning, reliability, and sustainability across the electric grid. This workshop convenes experts from utilities, data center developers, technology companies, government, and academia to build a shared understanding of challenges and to identify practical solutions.

Date and Location

Tuesday–Wednesday, March 3–4, 2026

Duke Energy Hall, Hunt Library, NC State University

Objectives

  • Build a common fact base on AI-driven electricity demand and data center operations.
  • Examine utility planning, reliability, and resilience under high AI load growth.
  • Highlight technology and policy options for sustainable energy supply.
  • Foster partnerships between academia, industry, and government agencies.
  • Define key questions and research directions for the coming decade.

Confirmed Speakers

  • Sasha Weintraub, Senior Vice President, Duke Energy
  • Jim Smith, President, PowerSecure
  • Tom Gray, Senior Director of Circuit Research, NVIDIA
  • Calvin (Liuxi) Zhang, Director of Engineering, Eaton Corporation
  • Aleski Paaso, Vice President of Grid Transformation, Quanta Technology
  • Jeff Thomas, Operations Manager, North Carolina Utilities Commission – Public Staff
  • David McLaurin, ADI Fellow & Senior Technologist, Sustainable Energy, Analog Devices
  • Zhangxin Zhou, Staff Engineer, Dominion Energy
  • Pengxiang Huang, Scientist – Power Electronics, Hitachi Energy
  • Fahd Hashiesh, CEO, GridVAR
  • Horacio Silva-Saravia, Founding Power Systems Engineer, GridVAR
  • Dingrui Li, Assistant Professor, Clemson University

Who Should Attend

Utility executives and planners; data center developers and operators; technology vendors and investors; policymakers and regulators; faculty, researchers, and students interested in the intersection of AI, power systems, and sustainability.

Discussion Themes

  • Powering AI Growth: Understanding the energy and cooling needs of modern AI infrastructure.
  • Grid Impacts: Implications for planning, operations, and reliability.
  • Flexible Loads and Solutions: Opportunities for integration with renewables, storage, and demand response.
  • Technology Innovation: New directions in power electronics, data center design, and on-site generation.
  • Policy and Regulation: Tariffs, permitting, and standards that can support balanced development.
  • Workforce and Education: Preparing engineers and technicians for AI-scale power systems.

Registration and Cost

Registration is required. There is no registration fee. Space is limited. 

Contact and Website

Website: https://www.freedm.ncsu.edu/data-center-workshop/

Inquiries: hcui9@ncsu.edu (Hantao Cui)

Location: Duke Energy Hall, Hunt Library, 1070 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC 27606

Hosts and Support

Hosted by the College of Engineering at NC State University.

Sponsored by MC Dean Center of Excellence and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.