UN's renewable-powered AI goal meets physical reality
Data: International Energy Agency; Note: In terrawatt-hours; Chart: Amy Harder/AxiosA recent United Nations call to power data centers with renewable energy highlights a central tension in the AI boom: Renewables are rising, but so is reliance on fossil fuels.Why it matters: Electricity demand for data centers is projected to at least double in the next four years, and where that power comes from will influence investments — and the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions.Driving the news: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is calling on all data centers to be powered by renewable energy by 2030, along with being more transparent on their energy, water and land impacts.Reality check: Most energy analysts say the UN's goal would require rapid power-sector changes far beyond anything currently planned.What they're saying: "There's no way to power every data center with renewable energy by 2030," said Michael Thomas, founder of Cleanview, a market intelligence platform. "That would require decarbonizing most power grids in the world in less than five years."The other side: The goal "reflects both the urgency of the climate crisis and the speed at which electricity demand from AI and data centres is increasing," said United Nations spokesman Stéphane Dujarric in an email.
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Data: International Energy Agency; Note: In terrawatt-hours; Chart: Amy Harder/AxiosA recent United Nations call to power data centers with renewable energy highlights a central tension in the AI boom: Renewables are rising, but so is reliance on fossil fuels.Why it matters: Electricity demand for data centers is projected to at least double in the next four years, and where that power comes from will influence investments — and the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions.Driving the news: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is calling on all data centers to be powered by renewable energy by 2030, along with being more transparent on their energy, water and land impacts.Reality check: Most energy analysts say the UN's goal would require rapid power-sector changes far beyond anything currently planned.What they're saying: "There's no way to power every data center with renewable energy by 2030," said Michael Thomas, founder of Cleanview, a market intelligence platform. "That would require decarbonizing most power grids in the world in less than five years."The other side: The goal "reflects both the urgency of the climate crisis and the speed at which electricity demand from AI and data centres is increasing," said United Nations spokesman Stéphane Dujarric in an email. "Renewables are among the quickest and most cost-effective options for expanding electricity supply in much of the world," Dujarric said. Between the lines: Notably, Guterres framed the goal around renewable energy rather than carbon-free electricity, excluding nuclear power.Durjarric said the initiative "is not intended to prescribe or exclude the broader energy choices available to governments."State of play: Renewables are still poised to grow faster than any other power source.
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- Data: International Energy Agency; Note: In terrawatt-hours; Chart: Amy Harder/AxiosA recent United Nations call to power data centers with renewable energy highlights a central tension in the AI boom: Renewables are rising, but so is reliance on fossil fuels.Why it matters: Electricity demand for data centers is projected to at least double in the next four years, and where that power comes from will influence investments — and the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions.Driving the news: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is calling on all data centers to be powered by renewable energy by 2030, along with being more transparent on their energy, water and land impacts.Reality check: Most energy analysts say the UN's goal would require rapid power-sector changes far beyond anything currently planned.What they're saying: "There's no way to power every data center with renewable energy by 2030," said Michael Thomas, founder of Cleanview, a market intelligence platform. "That would require decarbonizing most power grids in the world in less than five years."The other side: The goal "reflects both the urgency of the climate crisis and the speed at which electricity demand from AI and data centres is increasing," said United Nations spokesman Stéphane Dujarric in an email.
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UN's renewable-powered AI goal meets physical reality
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