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The opportunity for microgrids in an AI-powered future

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ROLF BIENERT

Technical & Managing Director

OpenADR Alliance

We are living in an age fuelled by data, and with this, growth in data centre energy demand. Driven by power-hungry AI applications, could microgrids be a solution? 

A request made through ChatGPT consumes 10 times the electricity of a Google Search, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). With a power grid already under stress, the industry will need to rethink the way it adapts to these challenges.

With the rise of AI and expectation of what it can deliver, the next few years will see a significant rise in the number and size of data centres, with companies like Google pouring billions into new data centre investment.

This all has serious consequences for the energy sector at a time when technology firms are under growing pressure to make data centres energy efficient and sustainable.

Microgrids – or virtual power plants (VPP) – could be the answer in providing a more efficient energy supply for data centres. While the concept of a microgrid can vary depending on how they are used, they can be defined as small-scale, localised electrical grids that operate independently or in conjunction with the main power grid. They range in size from a campus to a home. 

As a global industry alliance, we are seeing them used in some interesting scenarios, from residential to large campuses like Apple in the Silicon Valley. One interesting example is California Community Choice Aggregator, MCE, which has established a standardised setup for residential VPPs with OpenADR used as the utility connection to manage pricing and consumption.

It’s intended to serve as a model to help homebuyers at every income level access clean, all-electric technology for their homes, helping participants save money with clean energy technologies and receive monthly credits on energy bills. In exchange, they allow their smart energy devices to respond to MCE’s signals to shift load based on the grid’s needs. This includes reducing energy use during more expensive times of the day, sending energy back to the grid when needed, and reducing grid strain when weather events threaten outages.

The feasibility and suitability of microgrids depends very much on factors like the specific requirements of the data centre itself and regulatory environment.

The advantages are in helping overcome grid constraints and improving reliability by managing consumption and maintaining power during grid issues. For data centres that require uninterrupted operation, this ability to deliver resilience is critical. 

Sustainability is another one. By integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar, microgrids can help reduce carbon footprint. They can also reduce operational costs by utilising local power generation and demand-response strategies, and when it comes to regulation, they face fewer regulatory hurdles compared to other options, like nuclear power facilities, because they operate mostly ‘net zero’ on the grid connection.

But for data centre operators and investors trying to address power supply and stability issues, the use of microgrids can also mean challenges. 

This begins with start-up costs. While we talk about a reduction in operational costs once up and running, set-up costs for microgrids can be high, requiring significant capital investment especially for larger data centres, so important to bear in mind. 

Sustainability may be a big plus point, but the use of renewables like solar and wind depend on the weather – and the weather can be fickle. This necessitates robust storage solutions, backup power or large grid connections to ensure reliability and stability at all times. 

It’s also important to stress that the effective integration of these various distributed energy sources and systems can be technically challenging, so working with good integrators and partners is paramount. 

When it comes to powering data centres, microgrids are not the only option. Alternatives like small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are also be touted as potential power sources. 

The fact is that the data centres of the future will need a very high continuous supply of power and microgrids offer options for a more resilient and responsive energy infrastructure. 

Decentralised power through a network of microgrids could help dynamically manage power loads and optimise renewable energy sources, especially as demands on the grid continue to grow in an AI-powered future.



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Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students

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Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.

The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.

To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.

Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.

Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.





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Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years

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The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.

The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.

A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).

“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.


What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?


“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”

The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.

The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.

Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.

An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.


What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?


Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”

It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.

Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”

The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.





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Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review

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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.

This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.

Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.

“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.

“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.

“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”

The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.

Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.

However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.

All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.

They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.

With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.

The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.

Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.

The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.

If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.

The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.





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