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Intended Audience:: General, Electrical & Environmental Engineers,
Credits: 2 PDH Units
A December 2024 study by the Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division or the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory [1] concluded that the worst-case scenario for Data Center electrical energy demand would be an increase from 60 TWh/year in 2014 to 580 TWh/yr in 2028, with a significant upswing in consumption between 2024 and 2028. On the other hand, Elizer Yudkowski claims that “If Everyone Builds it, Everyone Dies,” which inserts a possible ethical dilemma into the equation of powering Data Centers that support certain types of Artificial Intelligence.
This course will explore methods of meeting whatever this energy demand might be in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner with renewable energy sources backed up by energy storage systems. It will also explore the possibility that, with careful planning and implementation, the addition of the centers can assist in the stabilization of the electrical grid. And, finally, it will end with a discussion of the ethical issues involved with Data Centers and how they might involve the load estimates.
Some of the References- Arman Shehabi, Sarah J. Smith al. 2024 United States Data Center Energy Usage Report, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, 2024. https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-releases-new-report-evaluating-increase-electricity-demand-data-centers
- Calculating Space and Power Density Requirements - APC USA (Schneider Electric)
- Roose, Kevin, A.I. Project Wants it All Shut Down, NY Times, Sept 15, 2025.
- Yudkowski, Elizer and Soares, Nate, If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies, (heed publisher and date).
- Engineering Designs, projections and calculations, economic and environmental analysis by author.
Learning Objectives
This is a practical presentation aimed at answering the following questions0- A summary of anticipated data center power and energy needs,
- A discussion of data center operation and specific electrical load requirements,
- A discussion of the economics of powering the centers with renewable energy,
- A discussion of data center load management options.
- A discussion of treating data centers as regulated utilities.
- A discussion of possible philosophical/technical/ethical issues that might affect the projections,
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