About the NatGas to Power Forum

Fueling AI Data Center Demand: Exploring all aspects of commercial transactions spanning the value chain for natgas fueling electricity generation to power AI Data Centers.

The NatGas to Power Forum (brought to you by the producers of the LDC Gas Forums (4), Gulf Coast Energy Forum, and US-Mexico Natural Gas Forum) is a new purpose-built event focused on addressing the substantial incremental demand for electricity driven by AI Data Centers, as well as other new market electrification initiatives. Given the magnitude and urgency of supplying electricity to satisfy AI Data Center demand, combined with limitations on availability of existing electric grid incremental capacity, natural gas has emerged as the preferred fuel source for incremental electric generation. Natural gas is uniquely positioned to offer the reliability, affordability, and security, in the near term, versus other fuel sources. The scope of the NatGas to Power Forum will focus on natural gas fired power generation. The NatGas to Power Forum will explore market opportunities and implications, spanning the value chain, from a commercial perspective. This encompasses all aspects of monetizing transactions to develop and sustain the capability to utilize natural gas to generate electricity to serve AI data centers, including fuel acquisition, transportation to the facility, power generation, and ongoing sale of electricity to the AI Data Center. 

The phenomenal projections for growth in electricity demand attributed to development of AI Data Centers will stretch the capabilities of the existing electric grid. With limited existing utility grid capacity, incremental electric generation capacity must be created in short order. Natural Gas has quickly emerged as the preferred fuel for generating electricity for AI Data Centers. AI Data Centers have unique and rigorous performance requirements that demand very specific critical criteria to ensure uninterrupted operation. Natural Gas is uniquely qualified to satisfy these critical criteria including: speed-to-market, reliability, availability, and affordability.

The NatGas to Power Forum agenda provides a rigorous overview of the key elements of selecting and utilizing natural gas to generate electricity for AI Data Centers, with an emphasis on the commercial value chain (contracting commercially for natural gas supply, transportation and purchase)

Key Agenda Topics:

Details of the Agenda for the NatGas to Power Forum are being refined, however proposed subject matter categories and identification of qualified Speakers is well underway. 

Following are the primary categories of subject matter that will frame the ultimate NatGas to Power Forum Agenda:

  1. Data Center Electricity Requirements:
    1.1. Electricity Use: Server power; Building HVAC; Lighting; Other/Misc.
    1.2. Electric Supply: Quantity; Rate; Reliability (99.999%)
  2. Alternatives For Electric Supply: 
    2.1. Utility Grid: availability; lead time; queue; reliability; rates
    2.2. Behind-The-Meter: Self-Generated, On-site: availability; lead time; queue; reliability; rates
  3. Fuel Type (for self-generated, on-site electricity): 
    3.1. Alternatives: natural gas; coal; nuclear; renewables; other (hydro; etc.)
  4. Natural Gas As The Optimal Electric Generation Fuel For AI Data Centers:
    4.1. Time to market – fastest time to completion vs. alternatives (e.g. Texas is easier to build infrastructure)
    4.2. Certainty of project completion
    4.3. Reliability
    4.4. Price
    4.5. Flexibility
  5. Siting / Location:
    5.1. Electric supply availability
    5.2. Natural gas supply availability
    5.3. Proximity to NatGas pipelines
    5.4. Proximity to fiber
    5.5. Regulatory regime (e.g. TRRC vs. FERC)
  6. Natural Gas Fueled Electricity Generation – Basics:
    6.1. How to use Nat Gas to generate power for your Data Center
    6.2. The NatGas value chain
    6.3. NatGas Market Fundamentals
    6.4. How to purchase Nat Gas supply; transport
    6.5. The NatGas value chain: components; key stakeholders (who is who)
  7. Commercial Terms – How To Structure Natural Gas-Fueled Power Generation Arrangements
    7.1. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
    7.2. Natural Gas Supply Agreement (GSA)
    7.3. Natural Gas Pipeline Transportation Agreement
    7.4. Ensuring cost certainty
    7.5. Case studies
  8. Stakeholders
    8.1. Data Center Owner/Operators
    8.2. Data Center Developers
    8.3. EPC Contractors
    8.4. Power Suppliers (traditional generators; hybrid suppliers (integrating gas supply & power generation)
    8.5. NatGas Suppliers
    8.6. NatGas Pipeline Operators
    8.7. Regulators
  9. Other Considerations
    9.1. Utility Grid Connection: lead time; availability (queue); capacity; 2-way
    9.2. Direct Pipeline Connection: availability & expansion of gas pipeline infrastructure; construction of laterals to site
    9.3. Funding; Development incentives
    9.4. Policy
    9.5. Regulation (e.g. FERC (Interstate) vs. TX Rail Road Commission (Intrastate)
    9.6. Opportunities to incorporate “Clean” energy criteria using natural gas to generate electricity 

The NatGas to Power Forum offers participants a proven winning formula, providing the optimal opportunity to:

  1. Insight: up-to-the minute actionable content, insight and analysis from leading industry subject matter experts un up-to-the-minute topics, including examination of pending issues and real-world examples of proven solutions
  2. Network: participation by representatives from notable organizations spanning the AI Data Center value chain; meet with new potential counterparties; reinforce relationships with existing customers & counterparties; identify experienced suppliers of key services and products
  3. Opportunity – identify commercial opportunities and even conclude transactions at the Nat Gas to Power Forum
  4. Educate – improve understanding of intricacies of producing, transporting and purchasing natural gas to generate electricity for AI Data Centers
  5. Market – brand promotion; establish value proposition; identify competitive landscape

The NatGas to Power Forum (NGTPF) is a unique, purpose-built event bringing together stakeholders across the value chain involved in conceptualization, development and operation of AI Data Centers. The NatGas to Power Forum is brought to you by the producers of the hugely successful, three-decade old, LDC Gas Forum event series).