How To Power Data Centers & AI In The US?
The federal goals of ‘net zero’ by 2050 and “all-electric everything” have been placed “on hold” at least temporarily
Therefore, the primary drivers of electric demand and consumption growth are now expected to be data centers and AI.
Each of these loads are expected to demand 0.5 to 3 GW and to experience relatively constant consumption throughout the year.
The recent federal and state efforts to expand ‘renewable’ electric generation and discourage continued operation ‘fossil’ fueled generation have reduced utility capacity reserve margins and therefore the reliability and resilience of their grids.
Many utilities do not have the reliable additional generating capacity necessary to power these large new customer loads.
Data center and AI developers have approached utilities about providing service, but several developers have also expressed a willingness to develop dedicated generation resources to power their facilities if utilities are unable or unwilling to provide service.
Microsoft has contracted with Constellation Energy to power a data center with output from one of the nuclear reactors at Three Mile Island which would be restarted specifically to serve their data center.
Other developers are developing plans to power facilities with multiple natural gas combined-cycle generators, possibly bottomed with absorption chillers to provide cooling. Still other developers are considering using small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to provide on-site power.
These new data centers and AI facilities will be located, at least initially, in areas where reliable utility power is available, or in areas with adequate natural gas supply and transmission capacity to fuel dedicated generation capacity.
These facilities will require firm gas supply and transmission contracts to ensure that service is continued under extreme weather conditions. Facilities to be served by dedicated SMRs would probably have a longer planning horizon because of the newness of the technology, its limited availability and an expected longer approval process.
Some states with ‘Renewable Portfolio Standards’ might object to the construction of new non-‘renewable’ generating capacity.
Some states might object to the construction of dedicated non-utility generating capacity.
Some utilities might object to the intrusion of non-utility generation in their franchise service territories. Such objections would likely cause the developers to seek alternative sites for their installations.
The large, relatively constant power consumption of these facilities might be the stimulus necessary to support development of new large scale nuclear power plants, which could be a major asset in stabilizing the operation of electric grids which include a high percentage of intermittent ‘renewable’ generation.
There is already one such facility in the planning stages which would require the output of three gigawatt-scale powerplants. Nuclear generation would be an ideal fit for these facilities since nuclear generators operate most economically at a constant capacity and these data centers and AI facilities represent almost constant loads year-round.
Nuclear generation also offers the advantage that it would be unaffected by the reimposition of CO2 emission controls such as the ‘Clean Power Plan’ which might occur under a different federal administration.
See more here substack.com
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Sei
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There are no regulations governing the use of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Look at the name and think about it. These are mobile nuclear reactors that can be used anywhere. Many of them are now in use on water. And just like everything else these days, there are no regulations governing their use. Did you understand that? THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF THESE MOBILE NUCLEAR REACTORS. So right now they could be all around you and you are not protected AT ALL.
Look at what the International Atomic Energy Agency says on their website (https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-are-small-modular-reactors-smrs, which of course is out of date):
“The IAEA has established the Platform on SMRs and their Applications, a one-stop shop for countries to coordinate support related to all aspects of SMR development, deployment, oversight and their electric and non-electric applications, such as use in district heating and desalination systems.”
“The IAEA is assessing the level to which existing IAEA safety standards can be applied to innovative technologies. The IAEA expects to publish a Safety Report on the applicability of IAEA safety standards to SMR technologies in 2022.”
Note the use of the present continuous tense: “IAEA is assessing …”. To my knowledge, no agreement has been reached on any regulations yet, and even if and when regulations are developed, it looks as if they will be voluntary and self-assessed, in other words, not subject to law or any kind of sanction for misbehaviour.
Shall we ask the insurance companies if they are going to insure against any accidents involving these SMRs? I doubt if they will offer insurance for them, just as there is no insurance for the street lights that are killing you, for the satellites that are killing you, for the wireless technology antennas that are killing you, for the car headlights that are blinding and killing you, for the LED lights in your home that are killing you …
Welcome to the new normal. Small modular nuclear reactors, coming to a site near you very soon (if not already there). All fits in with the ongoing global genocide. It’s a new corporate game, called “How Many Novel Ways Can You Find to Kill People and Destroy the Planet?”
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Lorraine
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The human race must be as tough to eliminate as cockroaches. I’m not denigrating humanity. I’m making an observation.
There are still billions and counting.
With certain groups reproducing quite prolifically.
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Lorraine
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Leading to another conclusion, perhaps there are unacknowledged advantages to being uncivilized and to live in the “third world” without many of the “advances” listed.
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Aaron
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The people have no use for data centers or their bullshit 5g
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