Behind-the-meter generation accelerates speed-to-power for data centers and manufacturing

Rob Cashell (author) argues that behind-the-meter (BTM) generation is emerging as a speed-to-power strategy for data centers and advanced manufacturing, enabling faster deployment and greater operational control in a power-constrained environment.

• Main announcement/action: The article presents BTM generation as a shift from backup to a strategic infrastructure asset that delivers speed to power by allowing onsite control of generation, reducing exposure to interconnection queue delays and long transmission expansion timelines (which the piece describes as having stretched into years). The author cites the role of BTM in aligning generation with load, enabling peak shaving, load following, energy arbitrage with storage, and islanding for reliability.
• Background and details: The piece frames BTM as complementary to the grid (not a replacement), notes drivers including AI, electrification, and digital infrastructure, and contrasts BTM’s localized, owner-internalized value capture with front-of-the-meter and multi-party solutions (e.g., virtual power plants and distributed resource coordination). It references a LinkedIn post by Ken Yagelski and was originally published on LinkedIn.