In a recent prediction by the National Grid, it’s anticipated that the energy consumption of data centres, driven by the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, will skyrocket six-fold within the next decade. This surge in energy usage is primarily attributed to the increasing reliance on data centres, which serve as the backbone for AI and quantum computing technologies.
John Pettigrew, the Chief Executive of National Grid, emphasised the urgent need for proactive measures to address the escalating energy demands. He highlighted the necessity of transforming the current grid infrastructure to accommodate the rapidly growing energy needs, driven not only by technological advancements but also by the rising adoption of electric cars and heat pumps.
Pettigrew underscored the pivotal moment at hand, stressing the imperative for innovative strategies to bolster the grid’s capacity to sustainably meet the surging energy requirements. With projections indicating a doubling of demand by 2050, modernising the ageing transmission network becomes paramount to ensure compatibility with renewable energy sources and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Data centres, often referred to as the digital warehouses powering our modern technologies, play a crucial role in storing vast amounts of digital information and facilitating various online services. However, the exponential growth of data centres comes at an environmental cost, with concerns mounting over their substantial energ
[…]
Content was cut in order to protect the source.Please visit the source for the rest of the article.