About This Project
Overview
This book was created to support developers of large loads and the electric power industry in navigating a critical and emerging challenge. Over the next 25 years, the United States will experience renewed growth in electricity demand—driven largely by the rapid expansion of AI-powered data centers and the electrification of industrial processes. This surge introduces complex demands on power generation, particularly for ultra-large loads ranging from hundreds of megawatts to multiple gigawatts concentrated at single sites. Traditional approaches to grid expansion are proving insufficient to meet these needs. As a result, the industry must explore innovative, adaptable, and sustainable generation strategies. This text examines the opportunities and obstacles associated with this transformation and offers insights into how the power sector can evolve to reliably support the next generation of large-scale electric loads.
Creation Process
The work for this book was funded by a grant from the UTA Resource & Energy Engineering program during the summer of 2025 to support Undergraduate Research.
About the Author
Dr. Chris Boyer, P.E. started working in the energy industry in 1989 and has continued a career spanning the development, design, and deployment of innovative commercial projects across the energy sector. His expertise includes chemical process operations, microgrids, utility-scale battery energy storage systems, hybrid photovoltaic (PV) plants, and fuel cell and electrolyzer technologies. At the time of writing this book, he serves as Director of the new Resource & Energy Engineering program at the University of Texas at Arlington, and is Principal of Amber Waves Energy, an energy consulting company. His previous leadership roles include Chief Technology Officer at Standard Renewable Energy, Director of Innovation and Product Solutions at AES Clean Energy, Director at Sabre Industries, Technical Manager for Lockheed Martin’s microgrid program, and Technology Development Leader at Shell Global Solutions. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a named inventor on more than twenty patents. He is committed to advancing energy solutions through research, commercial implementation, and workforce development.
William Bourgeois is a student in the Resource and Energy Engineering program at the University of Texas at Arlington, minoring in Nuclear Engineering and Materials Science with a planned graduation date of 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2020. He has professional experience in semiconductor manufacturing with Texas Instruments, where he gained firsthand insight into the energy and infrastructure requirements of advanced production facilities. As project manager of UTA’s collegiate solar car team, Blaze Raycers, he led the design and construction of solar-electric competition vehicle for national events. His passions focus on delivering sustainable, economically viable power solutions for large-scale operations, with an emphasis on bridging the gap between technical feasibility and financial performance.
Skyler Bryant is a student in the Electrical Engineering program at the University of Texas at Arlington with a planned graduation date of 2028. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Prairie View A&M University in 2023. He has professional experience in forensic science through his work at Armstrong Forensic Laboratories, where he honed advanced analytical and technical skills in high-precision laboratory environments. As electrical lead of UTA’s collegiate solar car team, Blaze Raycers, he oversaw the design, integration, and testing of electrical systems for a solar-electric competition vehicle. He continues to work on renewable energy systems, energy storage, and power system optimization, with a focus on applying interdisciplinary expertise to create innovative, sustainable energy solutions.
