An Electricity Market Clearing Formulation for Harnessing Space-Time, Load-Shifting Flexibility from Data Centers.

In this work, we provide a theoretical analysis of an electricity market clearing formulation that seeks to harness spatio-temporal, load-shifting flexibility from data centers (DaCes). Central to our study is the concept of virtual links, which provide non-physical pathways that can be used by DaCes to shift power loads (by shifting computing loads) across space and time. We use virtual links to show that the clearing formulation treats DaCes as prosumers that simultaneously request load and provide a load-shifting flexibility service. Our analysis also reveals that DaCes are remunerated for the provision of load shifting flexibility based on nodal price differences (across space and time). We also show that DaCe flexibility helps relieve space-time price volatility and show that the clearing formulation satisfies fundamental economic properties that are expected from coordinated markets (e.g., provides a competitive equilibrium and achieves revenue adequacy and cost recovery). Case studies are presented to demonstrate these properties.