By Marcus Lindqvist · Updated August 28, 2026 · 6 min read
Short answer
Large new loads such as data centers draw attention from ERCOT and the Texas PUC because they add demand quickly. Cooling is often the biggest non-IT load, so efficient and flexible cooling design reduces requested capacity and helps with curtailment. Rules are changing; check ERCOT and the PUC for current requirements.
Large loads, meaning big new facilities like data centers, are a major topic for the Texas grid operator ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC). They arrive faster than new generation and transmission can be built, so interconnection studies, curtailment provisions and new rules are in play. Cooling is typically the largest share of power after the servers themselves, so cooling design affects how much capacity a project needs and how flexibly it can operate.
Why do large loads matter to ERCOT?
ERCOT is the grid operator for most of Texas and plans for reliability across seasons. A single large facility can request capacity comparable to a small city. Operators must study whether the system can serve it, how it behaves during faults and how it responds when the grid is tight. Procedures, thresholds and rules for large load interconnection have been under active development, so use ERCOT and the PUC as the authoritative current sources rather than articles, including this one.
Where does cooling fit into the electrical load?
A data center’s power splits roughly into IT equipment, cooling, power conversion losses and other overhead. The ratio is summarized by PUE: the lower the overhead, the less total power is needed for the same compute. Chillers, pumps, fans and towers or dry coolers are the main cooling consumers. Compressor efficiency, controls and heat rejection design therefore feed directly into the requested interconnection size.
How can cooling design reduce requested capacity?
- Higher supply temperatures. Liquid cooling allows warmer water and more free cooling.
- Efficient chillers. Compare kW per ton and part-load behavior; see chiller efficiency.
- Variable speed. VFDs on chillers, pumps and fans cut part-load energy.
- Heat rejection choice. Tower versus dry cooling shifts electricity and water; see chillers and towers in Texas.
- Right-sizing. Avoid oversizing; see chiller sizing basics.
What does flexibility mean for cooling?
Grid programs and curtailment rules reward loads that can reduce demand when the system is stressed. Cooling offers several levers:
| Lever | How it helps | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal storage | Shifts chiller load off-peak | Needs space and capital |
| Temperature setpoint reset | Reduces compressor load briefly | Must respect hardware limits |
| Staged chillers and controls | Sheds load in steps | Requires tested sequences |
| On-site backup | Covers short events | Emissions and permit rules |
IT load flexibility (pausing batch jobs) is a separate lever outside the cooling plant. Because servers must stay within temperature limits, cooling flexibility works in minutes to hours, not longer.
What should project teams do?
- Check current ERCOT and PUC large load requirements early and regularly.
- Model cooling power at design, part load and peak ambient conditions.
- Ask what curtailment or demand response commitments apply to the site.
- Specify controls that can be tested and verified.
- Document the plant so studies and commissioning match what is built.
What cooling data does a load study need?
Teams preparing a large-load request usually need to explain cooling clearly, because it can be a large share of the electrical demand. Collect these items early.
- Design heat rejection in tons or kW at the site’s design temperature, not at a mild day.
- Electrical demand of the cooling plant at full, half and low load, including pumps, fans and towers.
- Operating assumptions, such as whether thermal storage or load shifting is planned. See thermal energy storage and demand charges and chiller scheduling.
- Phasing: how much capacity is installed on day one and how it grows.
Be consistent between documents. If the electrical study assumes one plant efficiency and the mechanical drawings show another, reviewers will notice. The chiller sizing basics article is a good reference for how design load is built up, and designing for 105 F explains why peak conditions matter in Texas.
The goal is a short, defensible set of numbers that all parties can trace back to the same design basis.
Frequently asked questions
Does ERCOT regulate data center cooling?
ERCOT and the PUC deal with load and interconnection, not specific cooling equipment. Cooling matters because it affects how much power the facility needs and how flexible it is.
Can efficient cooling shorten interconnection?
It can reduce the capacity requested, which may simplify studies, but timelines depend on many factors. Check current procedures.
What is curtailment for a large load?
It is a requirement or arrangement to reduce consumption during grid emergencies. The details depend on the current rules and agreements.
Our engineers in Ukraine work with chillers and refrigeration, and SpecServis is planning to enter the Central Texas market. If you want to talk about cooling plants and grid-aware design, see our open positions or partnership options.
