Google and Voltus expand virtual power plant deal for 1,070 megawatts in PJM grid

The move comes as AI-driven data-center growth puts increasing pressure on regional grids. Utility Dive reported that rising data-center demand has contributed to strain on the PJM system. A study examined by cleveland.com projected Ohio's data-center expansion could add billions of dollars in electricity costs through 2034. New Jersey lawmakers have acted to shield residents from infrastructure costs tied to large data centers, and Michigan regulators recently approved utility contracts linked to a major Google data center in Van Buren Township, per MLive. The virtual power plant offers another tool to manage strain but does not eliminate the need to address the underlying power demands of the data-center boom.