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Data Centers Unplugging at Once – WSJ

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Exclusive | A New Threat to Power Grids: Data Centers Unplugging at Once – WSJ

The roughly 40 data centers, which had been using enough electricity to supply more than one million homes, simultaneously switched to backup power sources in February 2025, when a high-voltage power line malfunctioned. The sudden plunge in electricity demand forced the grid operator to take quick action to avoid potentially serious damage.

The incident, details of which haven’t been reported, was the second such problem in Virginia within a span of months. In July 2024, about 70 data centers withdrew from the grid when another high-voltage line failed, requiring a similar scramble to keep power supply and demand in line.?

Balancing the two is critical in maintaining the health of the grid: Both undersupply and oversupply of electricity demand can cause power plants to fail, resulting in blackouts and repair challenges. The issue is especially pressing in Virginia, where data centers are projected to use as much as 57% of the state’s electricity by 2030.

$100 Oil Is in Play

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$100 Oil Is in Play

The deteriorating security situation in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran could send oil prices surging to $100 a barrel, according to Barclays analyst Amarpreet Singh.

“It’s an extremely fluid situation but as things stand right now, we believe we will probably test that level on Monday,” Singh wrote in a note to clients.

Fears that a regional war could choke off oil supplies from the Persian Gulf, and potentially Red Sea ports, have helped drive Brent crude futures up 19% so far this year. The international price gauge ended Friday at $72.48 a barrel.

Albany’s Changing Climate

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Many people think that the climate is warming generally in Albany or maybe that summer days are getting warmer in Albany. The opposite is actually true – in the past twenty years summers are colder then in the 1950s and 1960s. In contrast winters and especially springs are warmer than years past. 

Record Highs, 2000-2017 by Metrological Season

  • Winter (December – February), 16
  • Spring (March – May), 25
  • Summer (June – August), 3
  • Autumn (September – November) , 10

    Most Record Highs Set Per Year:

    • Since 1891: 1947 (9)
    • Since 1970: 1981/2012 (8 each)
    • Since 2000: 2012 (8)