Signal A 2024-founded startup demonstrates data centre demand modulation with a national grid operator

Summary

Startups are emerging to help data centres respond to the needs of the power grid. CB Insights profiles Emerald AI, founded in 2024, whose platform lets AI data centres change their electricity use dynamically to support grid stability. The company was founded by Varun Sivaram, formerly chief strategy and innovation officer at the energy company Orsted. In September 2025 it secured a partnership with National Grid to demonstrate what it calls a smart mediator platform. Its health score stands at 741 out of 1,000. CB Insights observes that operators and utilities are evaluating such tools as the industry moves from seeing data centres as a grid burden to treating them as a grid asset.