2026 Event Schedule
Energy Allies: The Role of Data Centers in Building a Stronger Electrical Grid
Gene Alessandrini (Senior Vice President of Energy & Location Strategy, CyrusOne)
Location: 207A
Date: Tuesday, April 21
Time: 11:00 am - 11:45 am
Pass Type:
AFCOM Solution Provider, All Access Conference, Industry Conference, Standard Conference -
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Track:
Power Sourcing & Sustainability
Session Type:
Conference Session
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: All Audiences
Unprecedented demand driven by AI, high-performance computing, and digital services is reshaping the energy landscape and placing data centers at the forefront of innovation. No longer just energy consumers, data centers are active grid participants, dictating the distribution of power and serving as operators crucial to modern day functions.
Amid grid constraints, operators are investing in renewables and pioneering onsite generation to secure reliable supply. The growing need for constant power has developers and owners rethinking grid design, site selection, and data center design, while accelerating investments in alternative energy strategies, including solar and wind, SMRs, hydro power.
In this session, CyrusOne's SVP of Energy and Location Strategy Gene Alessandrini will explore how data centers are meeting the demand for 24/7 power generation, while building resilience into energy strategies. He will discuss how centers are navigating grid challenges, driving new models of energy procurement, deploying onsite generation, and leading sustainable integration to keep our digital-first world running. Attendees will also gain insights into the critical importance that partnerships with utilities and power companies play today as well as the evolving regulatory considerations, and the technologies shaping the future of energy resilience for the sector.
Amid grid constraints, operators are investing in renewables and pioneering onsite generation to secure reliable supply. The growing need for constant power has developers and owners rethinking grid design, site selection, and data center design, while accelerating investments in alternative energy strategies, including solar and wind, SMRs, hydro power.
In this session, CyrusOne's SVP of Energy and Location Strategy Gene Alessandrini will explore how data centers are meeting the demand for 24/7 power generation, while building resilience into energy strategies. He will discuss how centers are navigating grid challenges, driving new models of energy procurement, deploying onsite generation, and leading sustainable integration to keep our digital-first world running. Attendees will also gain insights into the critical importance that partnerships with utilities and power companies play today as well as the evolving regulatory considerations, and the technologies shaping the future of energy resilience for the sector.