Speed to Power: Solutions for Accelerating Large Load Connections

Overview

This report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), written by Fredrich Kahrl and Natalie Mims Frick, was published in 2026. The study reviews documents and literature on the bottlenecks in connecting data centres and other large loads.

The report identifies more than 40 potential solutions to speed connections and groups them into functional areas: load forecasting, interconnection, resource planning and procurement, markets and operations, and cost allocation and ratemaking. Flexible interconnection options include staggered connections and static and dynamic flexible interconnection (Solution Area S6). Bring-your-own-generation (BYOG) and pay-for-transmission incentives are also among the solutions (S4.3).

The report is a review of documents and literature; it does not rank each solution's cost or impact quantitatively. The information in this record comes from the abstract and the solution table. As it addresses mainly the US grid structure, transfer to different regulatory environments such as Turkey needs care.

Key points

1. More than 40 potential solutions to speed large load connections are identified.
2. Solutions are grouped into load forecasting, interconnection, resource planning and procurement, markets and operations, and cost allocation/ratemaking.
3. Flexible interconnection options include staggered connections and static and dynamic flexible interconnection (S6).
4. BYOG and pay-for-transmission incentives are among the solutions (S4.3).
5. The report is based on a review of documents and literature.
6. Authors are Fredrich Kahrl and Natalie Mims Frick; published 2026.

Using it in design

• Add interconnection strategy options (staged or phased energisation, flexible or curtailable service, BYOG) to the campus power plan.
• Define phase-by-phase MW ramp inputs in the planning tools.
• Manage connection schedule risk with a checklist of which solutions to discuss with the grid operator.

Who should read it

Investors planning large load connections, campus power planners and engineers following grid interconnection policy.

Publication details

Authors

Fredrich Kahrl; Natalie Mims Frick

Publisher

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Year

2026

Document language

English

Source type

Government / public

Access

Free to read

Licence

Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document

Citation