Aurora Analysis Finds New Front-of-Meter Netting Construct May Enable Improved Datacenter Interconnection Pathway Using Co-Located Energy, While Minimizing Grid Reliability Risk

In brief

Aurora Energy Research announces its independent analysis, prepared for Google and V-Wire, of front-of-meter netting: a proposed market design construct that formally links a data center to co-located but separately connected resources, so they can respond to the grid operator in its place. The release sets the work against the surge of large loads seeking to connect to ERCOT, a queue of more than 470 GW as of July 2026, and ERCOT’s new PCLR pathway. Aurora reports that the linkage could cut the data centers’ forced curtailment hours by more than 80%.

Key points

1. 01Independent analysis prepared for Google and V-Wire.
2. 02ERCOT’s queue of large loads passed 470 GW as of July 2026.
3. 03Linking a data center to its co-located resources could cut forced curtailment hours by more than 80%.