[ExI] Data Centers need a lot of resources

[spike at rainier66.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: extropy-chat <extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org> On Behalf Of BillK via extropy-chat
Subject: [ExI] Data Centers need a lot of resources

Spike mentioned that there appears to be much spare land in the US, where data centers could be built.
But they need much more than just land.
A new report has investigated the requirements.
BillK

<https://unu.edu/inweh/news/environmental-cost-of-AIs-Enrgy-use-carbon-water-and-land-footprints>
Quotes:
Rising Emissions, Depleting Water and Vanishing Land— UN Scientists: AI Is Threatening Natural Resources for Billions By 2030, AI's water use will match the needs of 1.3 billion people while its power use triples that of 650 million, UN University investigation warns Date Published 3 Jun 2026

>...Yet every kilowatt-hour of electricity used to train or run an AI system also carries a water footprint...
---------------

_______________________________________________




Ja.  That place I was looking at in Wyoming has water.  But I keep returning to the advantages of using the sea as a cooling water source without phase change.  That can be done with a coal or natural gas plant, and those can be located at sea or on shore.  Cold water helps.  If a plant is located in the Aleutians for instance, it could be scaled up as much as we need without bothering anyone.  Note Sanak Island.  That place looks like it really needs a data center with a huge coal or natural gas burning power plant.

spike