PJM accelerates backstop auction

- PJM moved up a backstop reliability auction and the Department of Energy authorized curtailing data‑center power during tight reserve events to avoid blackouts. - The decision follows unresolved disputes over who pays for rising data‑center load, with allocation questions possibly not settled until 2027. - That combination pushes physical power limits into system design and raises demand for energy‑aware scheduling and utility software. (utilitydive.com) (eenews.net)