Top US Grid Gets OK to Divert Data Center Power to Households

The largest US grid operator was granted authority to divert power destined for data centers to households, hospitals and other customers to prevent rolling blackouts as an extreme cold snap strains electricity supplies.

An order signed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Monday authorized PJM Interconnection LLC to direct data centers, factories and other large facilities to switch on back-up generators to reduce their burden on the grid and free up more electricity supplies.

PJM, which serves more than 67 million people from Chicago to Virginia, sought federal approval to stave off the potential need to impose rolling blackouts. Wright ...