Data center adjustments could unlock 76 GW of new electrical capacity in the United States
Technological companies, data centers developers and public power services have panicked on the prospect of fleeing For electricity in the United States in the face of unprecedented growth in AI.
In the middle of all wrongs by hand, a new paper This week’s publication suggests that the situation may not be so disastrous if operators of data centers and other users of heavy electricity reduce their use very slightly.
By limiting the power from the network to 90% of the maximum for a few hours both – for a total of approximately one day per year – new users could unlock 76 capacity gigawatts in the United States. It is more than all the data centers used worldwide, according to to Goldman Sachs. To put this number in perspective, it is around 10% of peak demand in the United States
If the data centers were to reduce their use further, they could gradually unlock more capacity.
Such programs are not exactly new.
For decades, public services have encouraged major electricity users such as shopping centers, universities and factories to reduce their use when demand culminates, such as hot summer days. These users can refuse air conditioning or deactivate the thirsty machines for a few hours, and in return, the public service grants them a credit on their invoice.
The data centers have largely seated on the key, rather choosing to maintain the availability and performance levels for their customers. The study argues that data centers could be participants in the demand for ideal demand because they have the potential to be flexible.
There are a few ways in which data centers can reduce their energy consumption, the study indicates. One is temporal flexibility or the displacement of computer tasks at lower demand periods. The training on the AI model, for example, could easily be reprogrammed to accommodate a brief reduction.
Another is spatial flexibility, where companies move their computer tasks to other regions that do not undergo high demand. Even with data centers, operators can consolidate the loads and stop part of their servers.
And if the tasks are essential to the mission and cannot be delayed or offset, operators of data centers can always turn to alternative food sources to compensate for any reduction. The batteries are perfectly suitable for this, as even modest -sized installations can provide several hours of power almost instantly.
Some companies have already participated in ad hoc versions.
Google used its carbon computer platform, originally developed to reduce emissions, to allow Response from the request. Enel X worked with data centers for draw on the batteries In their without interruption (UPS) supplies to stabilize the network. And PG & E proposes to connect the data centers to the grid more quickly if operators agree to participate in a response program on demand.
These adjustments will not completely eliminate the need for new sources of power. But they could transform a potentially catastrophic situation – in which Half of all new AI servers are undernourished – in the one that is more easily resolved.
