Flexibility from Networks of Data Centers: A Market Clearing Formulation with Virtual Links

TL;DR

This paper introduces virtual links to model the load-shifting flexibility of geographically-distributed data centers within power market clearing, enabling better analysis and design of flexible power systems.

Contribution

It presents a novel virtual link abstraction that integrates data center flexibility into market clearing frameworks, facilitating analysis of market design properties.

Findings

Virtual links effectively model data center flexibility.

The approach fits well with existing market clearing frameworks.

Case studies demonstrate the utility of virtual links in market analysis.

Abstract

Data centers owned and operated by large companies have a high power consumption and this is expected to increase in the future. However, the ability to shift computing loads geographically and in time can provide flexibility to the power grid. We introduce the concept of virtual links to capture space-time load flexibility provided by geographically-distributed data centers in market clearing procedures. We show that the virtual link abstraction fits well into existing market clearing frameworks and can help analyze and establish market design properties. This is demonstrated using illustrative case studies.