Mitigating Data Centers Load Risks and Enabling Grid Support Functions through Grid-Forming Control

TL;DR

This paper proposes an integrated BESS and grid-forming inverter system within data centers to mitigate load risks and support the power grid, demonstrating effective dynamic response and stability in simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel architecture combining BESS and grid-forming control in data centers for active grid support, validated through detailed MATLAB/Simulink simulations.

Findings

Accurate power tracking during dynamic loads

Reactive power support during voltage depression

Stable islanded operation with continuous power delivery

Abstract

The rapid growth of hyperscale data centers driven by Large Language Models and Artificial Intelligence workloads has introduced new challenges for power systems. These facilities experience abrupt power variations during model training and check-point-saving events, causing voltage deviations and frequency disturbances. Moreover, they operate as passive loads that draw power without offering any grid support. This paper presents an integrated architecture that combines Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) within data centers using Grid-Forming inverters to provide active grid-support functions. Simulation results through MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate accurate power reference tracking under dynamic loading, with eight coordinated BESS units supplying instantaneous power during training and saving conditions. Under single-phase voltage depression near the data center bus, the BESS delivered reactive power support similar to a Static Synchronous Compensator. During grid disconnection, seamless islanded operation was achieved with stable voltage, frequency, and continuous power delivery at the data center bus.