NVIDIA, Google and Emerald AI have launched the AI Energy Management Alliance (AEMA) to promote data centres that can adjust their electricity use and connect to power grids more quickly. The coalition says flexible facilities could reduce pressure on infrastructure and avoid costly public upgrades, in return for faster connections from utility operators.

AEMA proposes shifting or pausing non-urgent computing, using batteries and on-site generation, and establishing common rules for responding to grid disturbances and emergencies. Emerald AI says new US data centres can wait a decade or longer for connections, while the grid is only about 50% utilised on average and could potentially accommodate 100GW of flexible capacity. Critics note that the initiative does not address pollution, noise or disruption in neighbouring communities, and may also function as a lobbying effort for the technology industry.