FlexSysAI launches platform to manage DC energy demand

Author: Joe Peck

Australian energy technology company FlexSysAI has launched a platform designed to make data centre power demand more flexible by shifting GPU-based AI workloads between locations and times without affecting service.

The platform connects electricity market and grid conditions with AI workload balancing, allowing compute to be shifted to locations where electricity is cheaper and more abundant. Non-critical workloads can also be reduced when the grid is under strain and electricity prices are high.

FlexSysAI says the approach could help data centre operators connect to the grid sooner, reduce electricity costs, access renewable power when it is available, and receive payments for supporting grid operations.

The company was founded by energy specialists, technologists, and entrepreneurs including Victor Feoktistov (pictured above), Angelo Perera, and Sean Senvirtne. The team has developed its demand response technology over several years and secured a retail licence providing customers with direct access to energy markets.

Australia provides test market for flexible computing

FlexSysAI is initially targeting Australia, where the electricity grid, growing data centre demand, and high penetration of renewable generation provide a testing environment for the platform.

The company says it is exploring adoption with multiple data centres in Australia. It is backed by EnergyLab and Sean Senvirtne, and is part of NVIDIA’s Inception programme.

The launch comes as governments consider approaches to managing increasing data centre electricity demand. The Australian Energy Market Commission recently recommended a national framework that includes operational flexibility as one potential approach to managing demand.

FlexSysAI co-founder Victor Feoktistov says, “Data centres need a strategy for the power crunch that is holding back the sector. Physical grid constraints are beginning to bite and time to power is already a major constraint for operators.

“These pressures are likely to worsen over the next two to three years, while regulatory pressure is moving even faster as more jurisdictions look to require flexibility from large energy users.

“Operators stay in control, see a live price for flexibility, and choose when to shift workloads while connecting to the grid sooner and getting ahead of mandatory requirements that continue to emerge across key markets.”

Angelo Perera, Chief Technology Officer at FlexSysAI, adds, “We are starting in Australia’s National Electricity Market as it has one of the world’s most challenging grids, and its structure and volatility strongly reward smarter, more flexible demand.

“This makes Australia an ideal market to prove the technology before deploying it globally as we provide a long-term solution to the accelerating electricity demand problem.”