Tech News
Back to home
Technology

Climate goals go up in smoke as US datacenters turn to coal

Source

Hacker News

Published

TL;DR

AI Generated

US datacenters are increasingly turning to coal as a power source due to high natural gas prices and growing electricity demand, leading to a spike in coal generation. This shift poses a threat to climate goals as coal is the dirtiest fuel source. The rise in energy demand from data centers has prompted power companies to reverse plans to stop burning coal, impacting local air quality and global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the potential for renewable energy to power data centers at a lower cost, current federal policies and the prioritization of meeting energy demands for AI technology are hindering progress towards cleaner energy sources.

Read Full Article

Similar Articles

Zuckerberg's Meta will beam sunlight from space to power AI data centers, solar-collecting satellites will orbit 22,000 miles above Earth — firm reserves 1 Gigawatt of orbital solar energy and 100 Gigawatt-hours of long-duration storage

Zuckerberg's Meta will beam sunlight from space to power AI data centers, solar-collecting satellites will orbit 22,000 miles above Earth — firm reserves 1 Gigawatt of orbital solar energy and 100 Gigawatt-hours of long-duration storage

Meta, led by Zuckerberg, plans to power its AI data centers with sunlight beamed from space using solar-collecting satellites in geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles above Earth. The company has reserved 1 Gigawatt of orbital solar energy and 100 Gigawatt-hours of long-duration storage to address the increasing energy demands of its AI infrastructure. This move is part of Meta's strategy to secure long-term energy supplies for its expanding AI operations, with a first orbital demonstration planned for 2028 and potential commercial delivery by 2030. The partnerships with Overview Energy and Noon Energy aim to tackle the challenges of intermittency and long-duration energy storage in renewable energy systems.

Tom's Hardware•
Nanoscale device generates continuous electricity from evaporating water and some sunlight — paves the path for battery-free sensors, wearable electronics, and more

Nanoscale device generates continuous electricity from evaporating water and some sunlight — paves the path for battery-free sensors, wearable electronics, and more

Researchers at EPFL in Switzerland have developed a nanoscale device that generates continuous electricity from evaporating water, aided by heat and sunlight. This technology, known as a hydrovoltaic device, can work with ordinary ion-containing water like tap water or seawater. The device consists of three layers that harness evaporation, heat, and sunlight to produce stable electrical output. While the power output is small compared to commercial solar panels, the device shows promise for battery-free sensors, wearable electronics, and IoT devices in environments with natural water, warmth, and sunlight. The design allows for independent optimization of each stage and potential scalability in the future.

Tom's Hardware•
Six AI data centers proposed for a small town of 7,000, equal to 51 Walmart Supercenters in 17 square mile area — four out of the seven town council members have resigned from their positions as town fights back

Six AI data centers proposed for a small town of 7,000, equal to 51 Walmart Supercenters in 17 square mile area — four out of the seven town council members have resigned from their positions as town fights back

Developers have proposed building six AI data centers in Archbald, Pennsylvania, a small town with a population of 7,000. These data centers would cover 14% of the town's 17-square-mile area and are equivalent in size to 51 Walmart Supercenters. The community is pushing back due to concerns about the impact on local utilities, noise, and light pollution. The fight has led to resignations from town council members and delays in the projects, with President Donald Trump getting involved in urging hyperscalers to address community concerns.

Tom's Hardware•
New Jersey datacenter expansion got $77m in tax breaks to create exactly one permanent job — JPMorgan's site already scored $35m and currently employs just 25 workers

New Jersey datacenter expansion got $77m in tax breaks to create exactly one permanent job — JPMorgan's site already scored $35m and currently employs just 25 workers

A JPMorgan datacenter expansion in New Jersey received $77 million in tax breaks to create just one permanent job, marking a high subsidy-to-jobs ratio. The expansion, which is part of a $1 billion investment, currently employs only 25 workers despite the substantial tax incentives. The Industrial Development Agency (IDA) believes the deal will benefit the local economy, projecting a $100 million infusion. While the IDA acknowledges the lack of permanent jobs, they argue that the overall economic impact justifies the subsidy. The situation highlights the need for closer scrutiny of datacenter subsidies and their true economic impact.

Tom's Hardware•

We use cookies

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our cookie policy.