ERCOT Sankey Energy Flow &
Curtailment Simulator
Texas data centers act as virtual shock-absorbers for our electrical grid. Drag the slider to simulate extreme weather demand, toggle curtailment protections, and visualize the energy redirection in real-time.
Simulator Controls
Enable ERCOT to curtail the data center load to 5% instantly when grid stress exceeds 90%.
On-site solar arrays feed direct energy bypassing the public grid, insulating the data center and reducing net grid demand.
How to test:
1. Drag **Grid Demand Stress** to 100%.
2. Turn SB 6 Curtailment **OFF**. Notice the blackouts in homes and hospitals as the deficit spikes.
3. Turn SB 6 Curtailment **ON**. Notice the data center automatically drops its draw, stabilizing the grid immediately.
Generous power reserves are available. Local transmission grids are fully stable.
Live Sankey Flow Pipeline
ERCOT Demand-Response SchemeHow Data Centers Support Grid Stability
A common concern regarding large-scale data centers is their constant demand for electrical power. However, modern infrastructure operates far differently than standard consumers.
SB 6: The Curtailment Safeguard
Passed by the Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 6 gives ERCOT explicit authority to order large industrial flexible loads, including data centers, to dial down their consumption to near-zero within minutes during supply deficits.
Behind-the-Meter Hybrid Power
By deploying dedicated solar farms and batteries directly connected to the facility, data centers decrease their reliance on transmission grid infrastructure, generating their own green energy when the grid is most stressed.
In this simulation, you can see that when grid stress spikes to **90% or above** (simulating a winter freeze or summer heatwave) and curtailment is active, the data center drops its draw to a baseline of just 5 MW. This immediately returns massive capacity to the ERCOT balancing pool, ensuring county homes, critical businesses, and hospitals remain fully lit and powered.