OpenAI announces Grid Protectors Program for future compute campuses

OpenAI announced the Grid Protectors Program on November 2, saying it will work with utilities, regulators and policymakers to help future compute campuses support more reliable and affordable electricity where they are built. The company said campuses may use on-site generation, storage, batteries and power controls to smooth demand when grids are stressed. In Georgia, OpenAI said its planned Effingham County campus will cover the project’s full infrastructure and electric-service costs and can cut power draw by up to 1,000 megawatts when needed. OpenAI called Effingham a pilot for the program.