Power Electronics highlights how gridforming technologies can secure U.S. data center growth at the UNC Cleantech Summit

As artificial intelligence and cloud computing accelerate the expansion of data centers across the United States, ensuring grid stability has become a critical operational requirement. At the 12th annual UNC Cleantech Summit, Power Electronics outlined how gridforming inverter technologies and battery energy storage systems are emerging as essential tools to support reliable, resilient power supply for nextgeneration digital infrastructure. 

During the Summit, one of the leading clean energy forums in the U.S., Power Electronics CEO David Salvo participated in the panel “The True Causes of the Iberian Blackout” and delivered the keynote “Power Your Data,” focusing on how AIdriven data center growth is reshaping electricity demand profiles and placing unprecedented pressure on transmission and distribution networks. 

Salvo explained that highly volatile AI workloads, with power peaks exceeding 100 kW per rack, are increasing the risk of voltage disturbances and local grid congestion. Gridforming inverter technology enables data centers to actively support voltage and frequency stability, while battery systems can operate as dynamic grid assets—absorbing peaks, smoothing demand and enabling islanded operation during grid disturbances. 

The discussion also drew lessons from the April 2025 Iberian Peninsula blackout, highlighting the importance of advanced power electronics and storage solutions as renewable penetration increases and traditional synchronous generation declines. 

“AI data centers are creating fast, highly volatile loads that the grid was never designed to manage,” said Salvo. “When racks are reaching 100 kilowatts and switching on and off multiple times per second, you need grid-forming inverters and energy storage to stabilize voltage, manage peaks and keep operations running when the grid is disturbed.”

Power Electronics’ participation at the UNC Cleantech Summit reinforces the company’s role in advancing technologies that strengthen grid resilience, support renewable integration and enable the continued growth of critical digital infrastructure.

About Power Electronics

Power Electronics is the leading manufacturer of solar inverters in Europe, Oceania, and America, and the global leader in energy storage inverter solutions. With 38 years of experience, the company has delivered more than 3,100 projects across 36 countries through its solar, energy storage, data centers, emobility, and industrial divisions.  

In 2025, the company reached 150 GW of installed AC power capacity, preventing the emission of more than 149.25 million tons of CO₂. With 45 GW of manufacturing capacity, Power Electronics has established itself as a global benchmark in the energy and digital transformation.