Posted 3/25/2024, 1:30:00 AM
Surging AI Data Centers Overwhelm U.S. Electric Grid, Undercut Climate Goals
- AI data centers require exponentially more power than traditional data centers, causing utilities to dramatically increase electricity demand forecasts
- Data centers training AI systems are massive, airplane hangar-sized buildings that are sprouting up rapidly across the US
- The staggering growth of AI data centers is putting immense strain on the aging US power grid's capacity
- Increased electricity demand from data centers, manufacturing, and crypto mining could undermine climate change goals as more gas plants are proposed
- Tech giants like Amazon and Meta are scouring the US for cheap and plentiful electricity to power their expanding AI capabilities