
The exponential increase in data center demand is reshaping the energy landscape across the United States. From hyperscale data centers to colocated facilities, these high-density loads are placing unprecedented pressure on transmission and distribution networks.
Aaron Winter, electric transmission modeling supervisor at Dominion Energy, will explore how electric utilities can collaborate with data centers and cloud computing facilities to relieve some of that pressure at DISTRIBUTECH March 24-27, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
Winter will participate in the session Navigating data center demand and load growth: Strategies for utilities and grid operators in the new era of power distribution on March 24 from 1-5 PM.
This workshop will explore the implications of rapid data center expansion, focusing on load growth, grid reliability, policies, and the evolving role of utilities in managing this complex landscape. Attendees will gain practical insights into the technical challenges of integrating and operating these high-demand facilities into the grid, strategies for optimizing infrastructure investments, and solutions for mitigating reliability risks.
“This topic is of import because data usage is not going away, it is increasing markedly throughout global commerce,” Winter said. “To support this increased data usage growth means considering strategic and innovative methods for delivering power.”
The session will include four separate panel presentations, with Winter participating in the Racing to meet cloud computing demands: A collaborative approach for data centers and utilities portion. The objective of that panel is to facilitate a collaborative conversation between data center and cloud computing entities and electric utilities in the United States, focusing on developing a mutually beneficial partnership to address grid capacity constraints while efficiently integrating renewable energy sources. The panel will emphasize the growing impact of AI-driven cloud computing needs on data centers and explore how grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) and dynamic line ratings can support sustainable solutions.
“Several critical issues include the need to build more generation, particularly sited as close to load centers as possible,” Winter said. “Additionally, the need to permit and site new right-of-way corridors for transmission lines. An opportunity for innovation is to pursue transmission designs that minimize right-of-way requirements.”

Winter has spent most of his career in the electric utility industry, including 8 years with Consumers Energy where he served in various capacities, including generation metallurgical support and behind-the-meter value-added projects (VAPs). He joined Dominion Energy in 2022, as an underground line engineer, and moved over to Electric Transmission Planning in 2023 where is now supervising the Modeling Department. Winter obtained bachelor’s degrees in Material Science and Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan.