The request for the construction of new data centers in connection with the rapid development of artificial intelligence systems, according to representatives of the US energy industry, makes sense to satisfy taking into account the difficulties accompanying the expansion of electricity transmission networks. It is optimal to build new data centers in close proximity to power plants.
Such statements were made this week by the CEO of the American energy company Constellation Energy, Joe Dominguez, cited by Bloomberg. China has already taken a similar approach when implementing projects in the field of artificial intelligence, and this is exactly the case when the United States has something to learn from the Middle Kingdom. Constellation Energy is involved in discussions with some customers who plan to build data centers that consume several gigawatts of electricity. It makes sense to build them only in close proximity to generating facilities, as a Constellation Energy representative noted.
A few years ago, experts were convinced that wind and solar energy would cover all the electricity needs of the country’s computer centers, but now coal power plants are extending their life cycle, the consumption of natural gas for the corresponding needs is increasing at a record level, and the use of nuclear power plants no longer raises such concerns among activists. rejection as before. In fact, Constellation Energy recently agreed to bring one of the American nuclear power plants in Pennsylvania back into operation for Microsoft’s needs. Amazon in March decided to spend $650 million to purchase a data center located next to another operating nuclear power plant. The advantage of the latter type of electricity source is that its power is quite high and is available around the clock, regardless of natural phenomena and weather.