5 May 2026:

How to turn a challenge into an opportunity for the grid and Europe’s strategic clean-tech industry?
 
On 3 June, Flow Batteries Europe joined European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen and 13 other organisations in signing a Declaration of Intent to support the sustainable integration of data centres into the energy system.  

The initiative aims to develop a model for agreements between data centre operators, energy sector stakeholders and public authorities. 

 This is a timely discussion: data centres are becoming a major driver of electricity demand, especially with the rapid growth of AI. The question is not only how to connect them faster, but how to make sure they actively support the energy system. 

We told the Commission that flow batteries are already part of the answer. 

They can provide long-duration backup, help manage load fluctuations and support the integration of renewable energy. A strong example is the FlexBase project in Switzerland, where non-flammable flow batteries are being installed underground to store up to 2.1 GWh of energy, with a power output of 1.2 GW! 

Data centres can become a lead market for flow batteries and help scale up a strategic clean technology industry here in Europe. 

This does not require adding unnecessary constraints. It requires a smart deal: easier permitting and grid connection for data centres when they contribute to grid stability. 

In the global race for AI, Europe should ensure that data centres become an asset for our energy system and that the clean technologies needed for this challenge are scaled up in Europe. 
 

Signatories involved:
Flow Batteries Europe,WindEurope, EU DSO Entity, Energy Storage Europe, E.DSO, Eurelectric, Euroheat & Power, T&D Europe, The European Data Centre Association – EUDCA, ENTSO-E, nucleareurope, GEODE – The voice of local energy distributors across Europe, SolarPower Europe, CurrENT Europe