MISO Targets Data Centers with New Reliability Rules
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) has proposed new reliability rules to target large electricity consumers, particularly data centers powering the AI boom. The proposal aims to address concerns that these facilities are gobbling up power at a pace the grid wasn't designed to handle.
MISO operates the second-largest electrical grid in the US, spanning 15 states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. According to the new rules, 'large loads' are defined as facilities drawing more than 50 MW at a single location and connecting at voltages above 69 kV.
The proposal also introduces stricter requirements for data centers, known as computational loads, which will need to meet advanced modeling, frequency ride-through capabilities, and voltage ride-through performance standards. The new framework covers four main areas: visibility requirements, ramp-rate management rules, ride-through performance standards, and broader operational expectations.
MISO has requested an effective date of December 4, 2026, with additional filings on transmission products and cost-shift protections due by November 16, 2026. The proposal also includes grandfathering provisions that exempt most existing large loads from the stricter requirements, covering an estimated 30 GW of service.