ARLINGTON, Va. – Data center energy consumption is projected to grow 300% by 2035, and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and its members are at the heart of meeting this historic demand safely and efficiently. To meet these challenges, NEMA today released practical blueprints for data center designers, developers, operators, and other relevant stakeholders to deploy advanced energy solutions in data center builds.
Data Center Design Considerations for Energy Storage Systems (NEMA US 80074-2025) and Data Center Design Considerations for Microgrid Energy Integration (NEMA US 80075-2025) offer comprehensive tools for integrating energy storage and microgrid solutions across data centers, representing the latest additions to NEMA’s expanding library of data center resources.
“Data centers are the backbone of our digital economy, so even brief power interruptions can cause major disruptions in how we live and work,” said NEMA Senior Vice President of Strategy, Technical, and Industry Affairs Patrick Hughes. “These guides provide the clear, standards-based technical foundation data center developers and operators need to deploy energy storage and microgrid solutions that enhance reliability. As data centers manage increasingly complex load profiles, NEMA technical guidance ensures high reliability and uninterrupted data center operations.”
NEMA’s two guides address critical infrastructure needs for data centers. The Energy Storage Systems guide covers the technical, operational, and regulatory considerations for integrating battery storage – a rapidly growing solution for backup power and grid interaction. The Microgrid Energy Integration guide focuses on deploying AC microgrids with localized generation, storage, and control systems. Together, they help developers, engineers and facility managers evaluate technology options, optimize system design, and improve uptime while reducing costs and ensuring compliance with safety and performance requirements.
“The convergence of rising energy demand and grid reliability concerns makes this guidance particularly timely,” said G&W Electric Engineering Manager of Power Grid Automation Erich Keller. “Data centers are no longer just large energy consumers – they’re becoming active participants in grid management and renewable energy integration. These guides equip the industry with the technical knowledge needed to deploy solutions that benefit not just individual facilities, but the broader electric power ecosystem.”
The guides were developed through collaboration with NEMA’s Energy Storage Section and Distribution Automation Section, respectively, bringing together expertise from electrical manufacturers that are well integrated in the electric power and building infrastructure supply chains. The energy storage systems guide is available here; the microgrids guide is available here.
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