s/balajisAI INFRASTRUCTURE•2d
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AI data centers cut cooling water, but power plants use more
New cooling systems are cutting the water used inside AI data centers, but the electricity powering them is increasing water consumption at the plants supplying the grid. The burden is moving upstream rather than disappearing.
That makes the footprint larger than on-site cooling alone, especially as questions grow about water supplies for China’s expanding AI data centers. In the U.S., data centers use about 230 billion gallons of water annually when direct cooling and power-grid use are combined, versus roughly 531 billion gallons for golf courses.
That makes the footprint larger than on-site cooling alone, especially as questions grow about water supplies for China’s expanding AI data centers. In the U.S., data centers use about 230 billion gallons of water annually when direct cooling and power-grid use are combined, versus roughly 531 billion gallons for golf courses.
Timeline2
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Business reported that new data-center cooling technology saves water locally while increased electricity use raises water consumption at supplying power plants.
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ZeroHedge raised the question of whether China has enough water for its growing AI data centers.
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