PS Lee’s Post

View profile for PS Lee

Professor and Head (Mechanical Engineering), Executive Director (ESI), Founder (CoolestDC), PhD, ASME Fellow

How power-positive data centres can unlock AI’s potential while transforming communities Summary: Data centres supporting artificial intelligence (AI) currently consume about 4% of U.S. electricity, a figure expected to double by the end of the decade. Rather than viewing this as a strain on the aging electric grid, it presents an opportunity to revitalize infrastructure and transform communities through a three-part strategy: Hyper-Efficient Data Centres: Transitioning to purpose-built cooling systems like Johnson Controls' YVAM chiller can reduce cooling energy consumption by up to 78%. Implementing smart building software such as OpenBlue optimizes operations in real-time, cutting additional energy use by 5-15%. Community Energy Efficiency: Adopting a "power-positive" approach, data centres can invest in energy efficiency upgrades in surrounding communities—like schools and hospitals—to reduce overall grid demand. This not only frees up capacity but also enhances local infrastructure and reduces operating costs. Adding Renewable Energy Sources: Integrating renewable energy technologies—solar, wind, geothermal, and advanced options like fuel cells and small modular reactors—can meet or exceed the data centres' remaining electricity needs. Streamlining permitting processes is crucial for timely and cost-effective implementation. Collaboration among chip manufacturers, data centre operators, and HVAC experts is essential to drive advancements that reduce energy use and improve resilience. By embracing this holistic approach, data centres can unlock AI's potential while promoting sustainability, economic growth, and community well-being. #AI #DataCentres #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #CommunityDevelopment #Infrastructure https://lnkd.in/giqRnYei

How power-positive data centres can drive AI and communities

How power-positive data centres can drive AI and communities

weforum.org

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics