Experts in engineering, data science and energy policy discussed how the rapid growth of data centers could strain Wisconsin’s electric grid at a Wisconsin Energy Institute panel Oct. 27.
The discussion, part of the Nelson Institute’s Forward in Energy Forum, brought together perspectives from engineering, economics and public policy. Students, consultants, educators and community members attended.
Much of the panel was devoted to a question-and-answer session with audience members about data center development. The panel, moderated by Nelson Institute Dean Paul Robbins, included researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison and Eric Stein, a policy advisor at the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin. “2026 is the year of AI and I feel less prepared now compared to when the year began,” Robbins said…