<p>Data centers are playing an increasingly central role in Europe's energy and digitalization strategies. Due to their high energy consumption and the ability to provide computing services independent of location, they have the potential to be operated in a system-supportive manner. Of particular interest is their potential for spatial load shifting – relocating computational workloads from under-supplied to over-supplied control zones.</p><p>This article explores how this system-beneficial shifting potential of data centers can be unlocked. An analysis of balancing energy prices in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Finland shows that flexibly relocating computing loads can be both economically attractive and beneficial for the energy system.</p><p>By operating in a system-supportive way, data center operators can tap into additional revenue streams while simultaneously contributing to lowering balancing costs and enhancing system stability. To fully realize this flexibility potential in Germany, adjustments to market design and the balancing group contract – similar to reforms already implemented in other countries – would be necessary.</p>