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Unlocking stranded renewables with Bitcoin and data centers with Brock Petersen (Satoshi Energy)
Episode 1
Published 10 months ago
Description
As demand for electricity skyrockets, large flexible loads like data centers and Bitcoin miners are reshaping how – and where – energy infrastructure is built. But integrating these loads into a grid already under pressure requires a rethink of both project development and power market participation.
In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Brock Petersen, COO at Satoshi Energy, to unpack how digital infrastructure is co-locating with renewables – and why that could unlock new opportunities for grid flexibility and clean energy investment. From the load profiles of AI data centers to the geographic arbitrage of Bitcoin mining, this episode explores what these emerging industries mean for grid planning, transmission bottlenecks, and the economics of new build generation.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How co-location unlocks stranded renewables: Why pairing flexible data center load with renewable assets helps monetize energy that would otherwise go unused.
- Bitcoin vs. AI load profiles: The key differences in cooling needs, flexibility, and infrastructure requirements.
- ERCOT’s load boom: What 135 GW of new load requests means for one of the world’s most dynamic power markets.
- The role of transmission and interconnection queues: How load-following strategies could help relieve pressure on grid infrastructure.
- What utilities and developers should know: Insights for navigating site selection, market design, and emerging opportunities in flexible load integration.