Large electrical loads, such as data centers, hydrogen production facilities, and EV fleet charging centers, present significant challenges for the electric power industry. Utility planners face difficulties in forecasting demand, transmission planners struggle to build infrastructure at the required pace, and system operators must address grid stability risks caused by large loads disconnecting during faults. Meanwhile, large load developers grapple with slow and complex interconnection processes, stringent reliability requirements, and limited access to wholesale markets and real-time pricing.
To address these challenges, ESIG launched a Large Loads Task Force (LLTF) to unite stakeholders, identify practical solutions, and develop harmonized practices that ensure reliable and efficient grid integration while supporting industry growth.
The LLTF kicked off with a introductory webinar on December 17th, 2024, outlining the scope, format, and deliverables of the task force, as well as introducing the leadership team.
The Large Loads Task Force is made up of seven specialized project teams:
- Load forecasting (led by John D. Wilson, Grid Strategies)
See the report: Forecasting for Large Loads: Current Practices and Recommendations - Interconnection performance requirements (led by Ahmed Rashwan, Electric Power Engineers)
See the reports:- Large Load Performance Requirements: Current Practices and Recommendations
- Large Loads: Behaviors, Capabilities, and Limitations (coming soon)
- Large Load Disturbance Events
- Reliability Impacts of Large, Power Electronics–Interfaced Loads (coming soon)
- Dynamic modeling (led by Parag Mitra, EPRI).
See the report: Large Load Modeling for Dynamic Studies: Current Practices and Recommendations - Interconnection process (led by Kyle Thomas, Elevate Consulting)
Report coming soon: Interconnection Processes for Large Loads: Current Practices and Recommendations - Resource adequacy (led by Derek Stenclik, Telos Energy)
See the report: Resource Adequacy with Large Loads: Planning for Flexibility to Accelerate Integration - Transmission planning (led by Hannes Pfeifenberger, The Brattle Group, and Warren Lasher, Lasher Energy)
Report coming soon: Transmission Planning with Large Loads: Current Practices and Recommendations - Markets and operations (led by Erik Ela, ESIG)
Report coming soon: Wholesale Market Design and Operations for Systems with Large Loads: Current Practices and Recommendations
Additional Reading
Lam, L., R. Hledik, and N. Northrup. 2026. “Impacts of Large Loads on Electricity Rates: A Primer.” Energy Systems Integration Group. https://www.esig.energy/reports-briefs/rate-impacts-of-large-loads-primer
Mai, T., D. Lew, A. Silverstein, E. Ela, J. Matevosyan, J. Okullo, A. Shattuck, and N. Frick. 2026. “Historical and Modern Large Loads: Characteristics, Context, and Industry Actions to Meet Grid and Customer Needs.” White paper. Energy Systems Integration Group. https://www.esig.energy/reports-briefs/historical-and-modern-large-loads
Task Force Lead: Sam Morris, ERCOT
Sam Morris is the Manager of Load Forecasting & Analysis for ERCOT. Before joining ERCOT, he worked in load forecasting for NYISO, Enva Power and Dominion Energy. He started his career as a Meteorologist with the United States Air Force.