Microgrid Modeling

Power Systems Built for the Off-Grid AI Era

We model, size equipment, and evaluate risk in islanded microgrid architectures to supply large AI data center loads - including gas turbines, BESS, and synchronous condensers - to ensure your facility will operate stably and your equipment can operate reliably with dynamic AI workloads.

Off-grid data centers BESS sizing Proof of concept studies Shaft fatigue analysis EMT & phasor modeling
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Every architecture proof-of-concept validated before steel is ordered

Sound Familiar?

Facing These Off-Grid Power Challenges?

Grid interconnection takes years Timeline Utility grid capacity and interconnection queues make grid-tied power unavailable for new AI data center campuses within the required development timeline.
AI workloads create unpredictable load swings Stability GPU training clusters ramp from near-zero to full load in seconds - without adequate inertia and fast frequency response, islanded systems become unstable.
BESS sizing without validated models is guesswork Sizing Undersized BESS leaves the system vulnerable to frequency collapse; oversized BESS inflates capex. Dynamic simulation is the only way to size with confidence.
AI load swings fatigue gas turbine shafts Mechanical Risk Rapid, repeated GPU ramp events excite torsional modes in the multi-mass gas turbine shaft - accumulating fatigue even when BESS partially buffers the swings. This risk is invisible without a PSCAD multi-mass shaft model.
What You Get

Simulation-validated architecture

Proof of concept before procurement

Every proposed architecture is modeled and stress-tested in simulation before a single purchase order is placed.

No architecture surprises at commissioning

Right-sized BESS

Dynamic simulation drives BESS sizing across all load scenarios - including the shaft fatigue implications of different BESS ramp-rate control strategies.

Inertia & stability analysis

We model synchronous condenser contribution, synthetic inertia from BESS, and gas turbine governor response to validate frequency stability margins.

Shaft fatigue quantified

Multi-mass torsional analysis in PSCAD under real AI load profiles - so operators know maintenance intervals and how BESS tuning extends turbine shaft life.

Scope of Work

Microgrid modeling capabilities

Gas turbine shaft fatigue - a hidden risk in AI microgrids

BESS fast response reduces load swing amplitude, but does not eliminate torsional excitation of the gas turbine's multi-mass shaft system. Repeated GPU ramp events - even partially buffered - accumulate shaft fatigue over time. We model the full multi-mass shaft in PSCAD, apply measured AI load profiles as torque inputs, and quantify cumulative fatigue life consumption - giving operators a clear view of maintenance intervals and the BESS control tuning needed to protect the machine.

Off-Grid Data Center Modeling

Full islanded microgrid models for AI data center campuses - generation, storage, load, and controls - in phasor and EMT domains.

BESS Sizing Studies

Simulation-driven sizing of BESS power and energy capacity for frequency support, peak shaving, and ride-through - factoring in shaft fatigue implications of each control strategy.

Proof of Concept Studies

Architecture validation studies that stress-test proposed generation mixes before engineering procurement or construction decisions are made.

Gas Turbine Shaft Fatigue Analysis

Multi-mass torsional modeling under AI load profiles. Quantifies cumulative fatigue life consumption and determines BESS ramp-rate control requirements to keep shaft stresses within safe operating limits across the plant lifetime.

Frequency & Voltage Stability

Frequency nadir analysis, ROCOF assessment, and voltage stability studies under islanded operation with high IBR penetration and variable AI loading.

Synchronous Condenser Integration

Modeling of synchronous condenser inertia contribution, reactive power support, and fault current capability - and its secondary benefit of reducing torsional stress on the gas turbine shaft.

Control System Design & Tuning

Governor, AVR, BESS inverter control, and microgrid EMS tuning for stable islanded operation - including BESS ramp-rate controls that limit torsional excitation on the gas turbine shaft.

In the Field

Microgrid architectures we model

Gas Turbine + BESS

AI data center - base configuration

Proof of concept

Gas turbine provides firm dispatchable generation while BESS handles fast frequency response and AI load ramp events. Shaft fatigue analysis in PSCAD confirms whether BESS ramp-rate control is sufficient to protect the turbine shaft under GPU load cycles.

Gas turbine BESS AI data center ⚠ Shaft fatigue study

Gas Turbine + BESS + Synchronous Condenser

AI data center - enhanced stability

Full study

Adds a synchronous condenser for additional rotational inertia, reactive power support, and fault current contribution. The condenser's inertia also reduces the rate of torque change seen by the turbine shaft - directly improving shaft fatigue life alongside BESS buffering.

Gas turbine BESS Sync condenser AI data center ⚠ Shaft fatigue study

Gas Turbine + BESS + Solar PV

AI data center - hybrid renewable

Proof of concept

On-site solar PV reduces fuel consumption while BESS manages solar variability and AI load swings. Shaft fatigue analysis determines whether combined variability sources require additional BESS power headroom or tighter ramp-rate limits.

Gas turbine Solar PV BESS AI data center ⚠ Shaft fatigue study

Gas Turbine + BESS + Sync Condenser + Solar PV

AI data center - full resilience

Full study

Full-resilience architecture for multi-hundred MW AI campuses. Combined turbine and condenser inertia, managed through BESS control tuning, maximizes shaft fatigue life while meeting reliability and sustainability targets. Complete shaft fatigue study included.

Gas turbine BESS Sync condenser Solar PV AI data center ⚠ Shaft fatigue study
Our Process

From concept to simulation-validated microgrid design

1

Load Profiling

Characterize AI GPU ramp, burst, and steady-state load cycles.

GPU load modeling

2

Architecture Design

Define generation mix, BESS sizing, and condenser requirements.

Concept selection

3

Model Build

Build phasor and EMT models - including multi-mass shaft in PSCAD.

PSCAD multi-mass

4

POC + Fatigue Study

Stress-test design and quantify shaft fatigue under AI load cycles.

Frequency + torsional

5

Design Report

Validated architecture with BESS sizing, shaft fatigue results, and control recommendations.

Investment-ready

Ready to Model Your Off-Grid AI Campus?

Request a scoping call - we'll map out the right microgrid architecture and proof of concept study for your site in one session.

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