Data Center Model for Transient Stability Analysis of Power Systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a dynamic model for data center loads that captures their unique power characteristics and transient behaviors, crucial for analyzing power system stability with AI-driven data centers.

Contribution

It presents a novel load model incorporating UPS, cooling induction motors, and pulsing AI workloads, enhancing transient stability analysis of power systems.

Findings

Model accurately captures DC load behavior during transients

Application to Irish system demonstrates impact on stability

Real-world data validates model effectiveness

Abstract

The rising demand of computing power leads to the installation of a large number of Data Centers (DCs). Their Fault-Ride-Through (FRT) behavior and their unique power characteristics, especially for DCs catered to Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads, pose a threat to the stability of power systems. To ensure its stability, it is required accurate models of the loads involved. Here we propose a dynamic load model that properly captures the behaviour of DCs. Its three most defining features are the use of an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) which sits between the server load and the grid, the cooling load represented by an induction motor, and a pulsing load that represents the transients caused by contemporary DCs with significant AI workloads. The features of the proposed model and its impact on the dynamic performance of transmission systems are illustrated through a model of the all-island Irish transmission system and real-world data of the DCs currently connected to this system.