NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Like it or not, data centers are expanding across the country. A recent Stanford University study found nearly 5,500 data centers across the U.S.
That is more than 10 times the number in any other country.
One of the biggest challenges is the growing demand they place on local utilities. One developer says those discussions could reshape how data centers are powered in the years ahead.
Mike Turner, vice chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and a consultant with Strategy 4CP, says the growth in data demand is driving greater demand for power and water.
“Exponential increase in demand for data has led to an exponential increase in demand for power, water, a delay in decommissioning fossil fuel plants, and, as we can see, an exponential increase in opposition to data centers.”
Turner says he sees three possible scenarios moving forward.
“Utilities will begin to cap power to the data centers. We’ve already seen that in Loudoun County. Technological breakthroughs will happen periodically that reduce the energy requirement, but the data centers are going to go to on-site power.”
Turner says that shifts could affect rural communities: “They are going to move to on-site power. Suffice it to say that solar and wind are not solutions for the data center community.”
He says local communities need to establish clear expectations before approving any data center projects.
