PJM Interconnection Proposes Changes To Reliability Standards To Address Situations Where A.I. Data Centers Disconnect From The Grid Without Warning And Threaten Grid Stability

On September 10, the PJM Interconnection-- that includes Pennsylvania-- announced it has proposed changes to its reliability standards to manage situations where A.I. data centers unexpectedly disconnect from the grid.

The PJM action announced Sept. 8 follows a July 22 event during which nearly 4,000 MW of data center load unexpectedly disconnected from the grid in northern Virginia. 

As data centers disconnected from the PJM grid, they switched to run on their own backup generation facilities.

PJM and Dominion operators had to respond quickly to manage resulting imbalances between load and generation and spikes in transmission voltage and system frequency. 

While the grid did not experience unresolvable reliability impacts that day, this is the third separate measurable event in the last two years

“This type of operation is unsustainable and needs to be addressed,” said David Souder, Executive Director – PJM System Operations.

The proposal would require Large Load facilities to stay connected to the system during normally cleared transmission system disturbances, “riding through” resulting voltage and frequency excursions beyond acceptable operating limits without creating additional reliability risks for the grid.

"While new proposed standards address minimum voltage and frequency ride-through requirements for existing and future Large Loads, PJM staff also intends to collaborate with existing facilities on a transition plan to adjust their existing operational parameters to comply,” said Byoungkon Choi, Principal Engineer – PJM Generator Modeling & Dynamic Studies.

“PJM plans to establish these requirements as soon as possible,” Choi said.

Click Here for a copy of the proposed changes.

Click Here for the PJM announcement.

The PJM Interconnection coordinates the wholesale electricity grid and markets for all or parts of 13 states—Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia—plus the District of Columbia.

Related Articles This Week - PUC:

-- PUC Moves To Address A.I. Data Center Impacts On Emergency Load Control Procedures, Allocation Of Costs Associated With Large Loads; Technical Conference On Cost Responsibility To Be Held  [PaEN] 

-- PUC Launches Review Of Utility Ratemaking, Working Group To Address Affordability, Transparency And Changing Economic Conditions  [PaEN]

-- PJM Interconnection Proposes Changes To Reliability Standards To Address Situations Where A.I. Data Centers Disconnect From The Grid Without Warning And Threaten Grid Stability  [PaEN]

-- PUC Issues $875,000 Penalty In Settlement With Columbia Gas For 2019/2020 Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Violations In Allegheny, Washington Counties  [PaEN]  

NewsClips:

-- Scranton Times: Wildcat Ridge A.I. Data Center Developer Wants All Elected Archbald Boro Council Members Removed From Data Center Decision-Making Process, Which Leads To Automatic Approval Of The Proposal; 9th Hearing Set For Today [Sept. 9]    [PDF of Article]   

-- ABC27: PA Building Trades Union Leader Supports Construction Of A.I. Data Centers, But Wants Them Built ‘Responsibility’

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Public A.I. Data Center Support Has Collapsed; Here’s What Happens Next

-- Wall Street Journal Column: Upset About A.I. Data Centers? Big Tech And The President Think You’re A Socialist Dupe 

-- Wall Street Journal: States That Gave A.I. Data Centers Billions In Tax Breaks Are Now Ripping Up The Deals 

[Posted: September 10, 2026]  PA Environment Digest