EPRI has launched Flex MOSAIC, a voluntary flexibility classification framework intended to reduce “time to power” for data centers by giving utilities, system operators, regulators, and large-load developers a shared way to define and evaluate load flexibility. EPRI said the framework was developed through its DCFlex initiative in collaboration with more than 65 utilities, system operators, regulators, hyperscalers, and technology providers, and the launch was announced at CERAWeek.

Flex MOSAIC defines flexibility for large electric loads—particularly data centers—using performance attributes including the magnitude, timing, duration, and frequency of a load’s response. EPRI says the goal is a “shared, credible” definition set that stakeholders can use to understand what flexibility a specific load can deliver, with the intent of shortening interconnection timelines, improving grid planning confidence, and accelerating access to power “without compromising reliability or affordability.”

The framework organizes these performance characteristics into “a small set of uniform flexibility classes” that utilities, system operators, and data centers can apply consistently across regions. EPRI positions this as a technical foundation that jurisdictions and market participants can adapt to local needs, rather than a mandated standard.

“As demand from AI and data centers grows at unprecedented speed, flexibility is becoming the third leg of the speed-to-power stool, alongside generation and transmission,” said EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor. “This framework allows everyone—utilities, regulators, and large‑load developers—to have common language about flexibility and to trust what that language means.”

NVIDIA Vice President of AI Infrastructure Vladimir Troy framed the value as deployment confidence: “By clearly defining flexibility, the Flex MOSAIC framework gives all parties the confidence needed to accelerate deployment and meet the growing needs of AI.”

Reliability stakeholders also weighed in on standardizing terminology. “As large, flexible loads play a growing role in the power system, having clear, technically grounded definitions of flexibility is critical for reliability,” said North American Electric Reliability Corporation President Jim Robb, adding that “a common framework like this can help system operators and planners speak the same language.” NARUC President Ann Rendahl said state regulators are focused on preventing cost shifts to customers while maintaining reliability, and that NARUC “looks forward to engaging” on how a voluntary framework can support evaluation of data center integration “without shifting costs to customers or compromising grid reliability.”

EPRI listed initial framework participants including Alliant Energy, Arizona Public Service, California ISO, El Centro Nacional de Control de Energía (CENACE), Compass Datacenters, Constellation Energy, DTE Energy, Entergy, Exelon, Georgia Transmission Corporation, Google, Honeywell, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), ING, Jenbacher, Korea Power Exchange (KPX), KPMG, LG Pado, Lincoln Electric System, Lower Colorado River Authority, Meta, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), Nebraska Public Power District, NERC, NVIDIA, Portland General Electric, PSEG, Rayburn Electric, Salt River Project, Siemens, Southern Company, Southwest Power Pool, and United Power.

EPRI directed interested parties to dcflex.epri.com to learn more about Flex MOSAIC and to sign an open letter about the effort.

Source: EPRI