Does a new massive data center dedicated to AI capabilities have the capability to heat the surrounding ground and air environment?
Does a new massive Data center dedicated to AI capabilities suck water for cooling from the local surroundings?
Fill us in on Electricity usage as well.
Are they noisy?
Are you familiar with the Mega center development proposed for Homer City?
Thanks.
Does a new massive data center dedicated to AI capabilities have the capability to heat the surrounding ground and air environment? The ground, no. The slabs required to support the weight of the servers and corresponding infrastructure are quite deep (24 or more inches). Heat does not permeate that in a material way. In addition heat rises, so all the means to reject the hot air are through the plenum. Depending on the means of dispersing the hot air generated, yes it can "heat" the air but not in a way that would affect ambient temperatures around a facility. Hot air goes straight up.
Does a new massive Data center dedicated to AI capabilities suck water for cooling from the local surroundings? There is a difference between water usage and water consumption. Data centers use a lot of water as that is the primary means of cooling. Massive air conditioning units cool the data centers. The cool air is created by blowing air over coils with cold water in them. Historically that water was not efficiently consumed and it was frequently put back into the watering system as hot air or it evaporated. But the usage was inefficient (and hence my term "consumed"). The newer technologies being used (notably in 100 MW facilities or the GigaWatt campuses) are closed loop systems whereby water is contained within a closed system (so water is used, but not "consumed"). Think about your radiator, air conditioners, etc. those are closed loop systems. You don't replace the cooling agent.
Cooling to the chips (meaning cold water runs to the actual server chips ) or rear door heat exchangers (cooling elements are attached to the back of server cabinets) are closed loop systems and are much more efficient than just cooling ambient hot air. So water is "used" in the closed loop system, but once it is put into the system it is mostly there for good - maybe 1-2% loss. The thing to note is that when data centers use water it is non-potable, recycled or grey water. Potable water is not used. There are also technologies where cool water is pumped from wells, through the loop system and then redeposited in the well. The earth then cools the returned water when it comes back into the well. So kind-of closed loop. There are also data centers near water sources, or put on barges, that recycle ocean/lake water this way.
New technologies will use water, though not consume near the amount historically.
Fill us in on Electricity usage as well. Servers use a lot of electricity. What is happening now is that substations are being built specifically to support data centers so it does not tax the local grid. Access to power is the biggest determinant in data center locations. I don't want to downplay this demand at all, but ideally the power sources are independent of the grid that supports homeowners and businesses. The true break-through in the data center world will be when nuclear is an accepted form of energy generation. it is the safest, cleanest and most efficient source of energy. Facebook is beginning to use nuclear. Until then, it is a huge burden but ideally is autonomous form the existing local grid. Rates are regulated in most markets and some markets are creating separate tiers for data centers. Utility costs are going up, some due to data centers, but some just driven by the economy. As an interesting side note, the largest lobbying group opposing data centers today....... drumroll.... AARP. As they do not want to see increased utility rates for seniors on a fixed budget. I ask people this all the time and no one had guessed this yet.
Are they noisy? Inside current data centers, yes, due to old cooling infrastructure and how loud the air conditioners and fans are. New data centers are at a normal level of noise. When generators first kick on they are noisy (generators are used as back-up power sources if access to the grid is cut). Generators kick one once or twice a year and testing is done at specific times so as not to be obtrusive. But even now, local zoning generally requires data centers and generators to be at a certain dB level, which is about the same as the sound of your refrigerator.
On a side note - let me hit on the public outcry about the data center proposed across the street to Parkland high school in Allentown (where I went to high school). Our largest data center (in a mid Atlantic state) has a charter school attached to it. It is a Chinese immersion school. Half the kids are on subsidized lunches (to give an example of students at this school). That school's test scores are in the highest 90% in that state and that school wants to build its own building on our campus. Noise, heat, toxic fumes (which somehow people believe), etc. don't exist and this school proves being near a data center does not create increased risks on students or people.
Are you familiar with the Mega center development proposed for Homer City? No.
weather.com
