WEBINAR

Bridging the Gap: Strategies for Grid Integration of Large Loads

Explore the technical and communication strategies needed to reliably integrate large loads and data centers into the U.S. power grid—ensuring stability, efficiency, and smoother interconnection processes.

October 22, 2025

3:00 PM UTC

1 hour

Sponsored by

October 22, 2025

11:00 AM ET / 10:00 AM CT / 8:00 AM PT / 4:00 PM GMT

Duration: 1 hour

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Summary

As data centers and other large electrical loads proliferate across the United States, their impact on power systems planning, grid reliability, and interconnection processes has become increasingly pronounced. This technical webinar explores the multifaceted challenge of integrating these energy-intensive facilities into the existing and future U.S. power grid. From a power systems engineering perspective, we will examine how large load interconnection affects transmission planning, voltage stability, inertia and frequency response, and congestion management. Attendees will gain insights into technical considerations such as load ramp rates, power factor requirements, N-1 contingency planning, and the implications for both real-time operations and long-term system adequacy.

Beyond technical modeling and grid integration, the webinar addresses a critical, often underemphasized factor: the need for clearer, earlier, and more effective communication between utilities, grid operators, and data center developers. As grid planners use terms like "reliability criteria," "non-firm service," or "ride-through requirements," misunderstandings can arise with non-utility stakeholders, slowing down interconnection timelines and leading to misaligned expectations. We will break down these key concepts in accessible terms and highlight how improved education, transparency, and collaboration can streamline project development while safeguarding grid stability.

By attending this webinar, utility engineers, grid planners, developers, and policymakers will gain both the technical foundation and communication tools needed to ensure reliable, efficient, and cooperative integration of large loads into the power grid.

Speakers

Ahmed Rashwan, P.E., P.Eng.

Senior Director, Transmission Planning and Operations

EPE

Ahmed Rashwan is the Senior Director of Transmission Planning and Operations at Electric Power Engineers where he leads the transmission consulting practice supporting ISOs/RTOs, vertically integrated utilities, transmitters, municipally owned utilities, co-operative and transmission developers. Ahmed has 18 years of progressive industry experience, including 15 years at the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator, most notably in Market Operations, Operations Engineering and Planning, Power System Planning, and Market Design and Implementation. Ahmed is the Professional Engineers Ontario Certificate of Authorization holder for EPE.

Evan Neel

Director, Regulatory & Power Services

Lancium

Evan Neel is the Director of Regulatory & Power Services at Lancium, where he drives policy and market initiatives to integrate gigawatt-scale datacenter loads into the ERCOT grid. His work centers on large load interconnections, resource adequacy, and advancing flexible load participation to enhance reliability in Texas’s energy market. Evan began his career at ERCOT and holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University.

Julieta Giraldez | Moderator

Director, Integrated Grid Planning

EPE

Julieta Giraldez is a nationally and internationally recognized subject matter expert in distributed energy resource (DER) grid integration with extensive expertise in grid modeling and planning processes. She is the Director of Integrated Grid Planning at Electric Power Engineers where she implements holistic approaches to meet customers’ needs through the optimized planning and operation of generation, transmission, distribution, and distributed resources. Julieta holds a bachelor’s degree in Technical Mining Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain), a master’s in Electrical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines, and a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Colorado State University.

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