The Data Center Daily

PJM Batteries, Robot Solar and Tidal Pods Chase Data Center Load

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 · 9 min

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Branch Energy is moving into PJM with a $33 million raise to sell battery-backed capacity to data centers, while Google backs robot-built solar and developers test new campuses from Türkiye to tidal-powered subsea pods in Alaska.

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Branch Energy is moving into PJM with a $33 million raise to sell battery-backed capacity to data centers, while Google backs robot-built solar and developers test new campuses from Türkiye to tidal-powered subsea pods in Alaska.

In this episode

  1. Branch Energy heads to PJM to sell battery capacity to data centers | Latitude Media — Latitude Media

    Branch Energy heads to PJM to sell battery capacity to data centers | Latitude Media # Branch Energy heads to PJM to sell battery capacity to data centers Investors are betting that larger batteries and lower acquisition costs will make C&I batteries a strong player in the BYOC era. Maeve Allsup September 15, 2026 The distributed energy storage company Branch Energy announced today that it…

  2. Step Back — As AI developers increasingly assemble power through batteries, behind-the-meter generation, and bespoke contracts, what actually counts as “delivered” capacity in PJM or ERCOT—and who bears the financial and reliability risk when megawatts exist on paper but not at the data center meter?

    Background sources

  3. Google is backing Planted Solar’s plan for clean data center power — Latitude Media

    In addition to its investments in enhanced geothermal , long-duration energy storage , and fourth-generation nuclear , Google is betting a very Silicon Valley-type approach to solar can help meet the moment for speed-to-power. The latest addition to the hyperscaler’s energy investment portfolio, Planted Solar, uses a combination of robots and software to build solar projects more quickly and…

  4. Digital Realty Forms Türkiye JV for 22MW Campus | DLR Stock News — Stock Titan

    Digital Realty Forms Türkiye JV for 22MW Campus | DLR Stock News # Digital Realty Enters Türkiye Through Formation of New Joint Venture Digital Realty and Rönesans Infrastructure launch a Turkish data center JV, starting with a 22 MW Ankara campus and future expansion to Istanbul. ## Rhea-AI Summary Digital Realty (DLR) formed a strategic joint venture with Rönesans Infrastructure to develop…

  5. Federal review advances for subsea data center off Nikiski | Homer News — Homer News

    Federal review advances for subsea data center off Nikiski | Homer News ## Federal review advances for subsea data center off Nikiski Published 4:30 am Monday, September 14, 2026 By Jeffrey Kennett Peninsula Clarion Staff The ORPC proposed American Tidal Energy Project site is located at East Forland, Cook Inlet, just north of Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of ORPC) | Getting your…