California, Texas Take Data Center Load

A new study from EPRI titled “Powering Intelligence: Analyzing Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Energy Consumption” looks at the stress of AI on data centers. The calls for more efficiency have not been a hallmark of the energy industry in the US. It also calls for more coordination between electricity companies and data center firms. This may be undermined by the need for electricity companies to serve their core customers and individual and traditional businesses.

Climate News –Failure Of Renewables

The study looked at four rates of growth for data center electricity use. One is extraordinary:“Higher growth—15% annual growth based upon a commissioned expert assessment consistent with rapid expansion of AI applications and limited efficiency gains.”

States With The Greatest Loads

Last year, 15 states accounted for 80% of the national data center load—Virginia, Texas, and California topped the list.

As of March, the US had the lion’s share of data centers among all nations. Globally, the total was 10,665. America had 5,381.

The report concludes: “Therefore, new approaches are needed not only to project where load will grow, but also its operational characteristics and opportunities for flexible operation.” Given that much of this relies on rapid decisions from legacy owners of data centers and electricity companies, this will be a challenge

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