Texas stands at the forefront of large-load growth—from AI-driven data centers to advanced manufacturing. This session brings together regulators, technology leaders, and academic researchers to discuss how policy, innovation, and integrated planning can work together to ensure resilient and responsible development.
As Texas experiences an unprecedented wave of large-load expansion, effective coordination among policy makers, technology providers, and researchers has become critical to sustaining growth while ensuring reliability, efficiency, and community benefit.
This discussion explores how the ecosystem of large-load development—spanning regulation, technology innovation, infrastructure, and academic research—can work collaboratively to address power, water, and land challenges. The panel will highlight approaches to planning, permitting, and investment that enable Texas to lead in digital and industrial infrastructure while maintaining resource balance and grid stability.
Guiding Questions: - Policy and Governance: How can regulatory frameworks evolve to support rapid load integration while maintaining reliability and affordability?
- Technology and Infrastructure: What innovations in computing, cooling, and energy systems can alleviate grid and resource constraints? (if we add technology voice)
- Research and Planning: How can universities and independent research institutes provide data-driven guidance that connects policy, technology, and community priorities?
- Collaboration and Implementation: What models of cross-sector cooperation can ensure that large-load development strengthens Texas’s long-term energy and economic leadership?
