Dark smoke rose above a Virginia data center as a heat wave pushed the power grid close to its limits
A data center in Northern Virginia activated diesel generators during a recent heat wave to reduce grid load as part of a demand-response program. This event has sparked debate regarding the environmental impact of data centers and the reliance on fossil fuels for backup power.
Why it matters
The rapid growth of data centers is putting significant strain on power grids, raising questions about energy sustainability and infrastructure capacity.
Smoke rises from a Digital Realty data center in Northern Virginia on July 3, 2026. Bobby Chahal Energy regulators warned data centers could be cut off as a heat wave swept the mid-Atlantic states. PJM, which runs the regional grid, said "demand response" kept power consumption manageable. Dark smoke was seen rising from a Virginia data center. Other big loads also ran diesel generators. Ashburn, Virginia, is in the heart of America's "data center alley." Over the July 4 weekend, diesel generators at a Digital Realty data center switched on as temperatures spiked. Dark smoke floated above ACC9, one of dozens of data centers clustered in Ashburn and nearby cities, according to a video and photos from July 3 seen by Business Insider.
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