America Needs to Build Better Data Centers | Opinion
Summary
This article discusses the importance of building better data centers to support the growing demand for electricity driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital services. It highlights the need for thoughtful development that balances economic benefits with concerns about water use, electricity demand, and community impact.Key Facts
- Electricity consumption in the U.S. is expected to increase from 4,195 terawatt-hours in 2025 to 4,356 terawatt-hours in 2027.
- Globally, energy use by data centers is projected to nearly double from 485 terawatt-hours in 2025 to 950 terawatt-hours by 2030.
- Data centers support key functions like banking, logistics, communications, and public services.
- Some data centers use evaporative cooling, which saves electricity but uses a lot of water.
- New cooling methods like direct-to-chip liquid cooling can reduce water use and improve energy efficiency.
- Recovering heat from data centers can help heat nearby buildings or support farming like greenhouses or aquaculture.
- The biggest challenge for data center growth is providing enough electricity, as the power grid is not expanding fast enough.
- Responsible data center projects can bring local benefits, such as new roads, schools, and job opportunities.
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