Navigating the data center sector: Key trends, opportunities, and challenges for utilities

Download the slides | Navigating the data center sector (PDF)

Data centers are one of the hottest and most active sectors in the large business customer segment. While they offer a key opportunity for economic development and are a source of load growth, the extreme size of these facilities creates a host of challenges for utilities when bringing them online. Check out this conversation among E Source experts on data centers, their impacts on utilities, how you can better serve this market segment, and minimizing the impact on the rest of your customers.

We covered:

  • An overview of the current data center landscape and how it impacts utility company strategy
  • Opportunities data centers provide utilities through load growth, economic development, and renewable energy deployment
  • Key challenges utilities must tackle, including financial impacts to retail customers; load-growth management and demand response; “time to power” for bringing these facilities online; and designing a better customer journey



Speakers:

Rachel Reiss Buckley, Vice President, Enterprise Strategy and New Products, E Source
Mike Hedlund, Lead Research Analyst, Energy Efficiency Technologies, E Source
Scott Poole, Executive Consultant, Account Management, E Source

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About the Author/s
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Scott Poole

Scott Poole supports all aspects of the success of the E Source Account Management Service. He’s a proven leader in account management, sales, and marketing, with more than 30 years of experience driving change and delivering results for Southern Company. He most recently served as the director of managed accounts at Georgia Power where he was known for his ability to see the big picture, simplify and communicate the intricacies of complex problems, and turn ideas into results. Scott has led transformation initiatives during times of intense change and disruption in the energy industry while also motivating his managed accounts sales organization, responsible for customers with $2 billion in revenue.Throughout his career, Scott has been actively involved with the evolution of utility account management—from building new account management organizations, moving to tiered and segmented customer organizations, shifting focus from service to sales and service, to now a more solutions-oriented account management strategy focused on decarbonization and beneficial electrification. His knowledge of the industry, regulatory frameworks, key stakeholder groups, and emerging trends has enabled him to successfully lead multiple change initiatives for managed accounts including strategy, organizational structure, cost reduction, and program and product line shifts. He also has expertise in goal setting, sales and pipeline management, customer relationship management, pricing communication, outage communication, and account planning.Scott earned his MBA and bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University. He’s also a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Alabama.