BLACKOUT WARNING: Data Centers’ Massive Power Thirst Threatens U.S. Electric Grid This Winter

A new study finds that data centers could be a major problem this winter.

Data Centers Could Trigger Energy Shortfalls This Winter

In its winter assessment, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation said that increasing electricity demand by data centers is increasing the risk of winter blackouts nationwide. The regulatory agency that oversees the electric grid in the United States said power consumption, in just the last year, has grown 20 gigawatts. One gigawatt is the size of a nuclear power reactor. In other words, the demand has outpaced the supply.

Data Centers are Putting a Strain on the Grid

The power grid in the United States has long needed an overhaul to repair aging infrastructure. Now, an ever-increasing number of data centers trying to keep up with artificial intelligence, is putting even more strain on the system. Winter poses a problem because there is less solar power generated in the winter; wind turbines have problems operating in cold temperatures, and gas supplies could decrease due to pipeline constraints.

Areas of the Country Most at Risk

According to NERC, areas of the United States at an elevated risk of energy shortages are the southeast and portions of the western U.S. The Texas grid has been unstable since the state began the process of shutting down coal plants under the Obama and Biden Administrations. Texas’ grid made national headlines in the winter of 2021 when millions were left without power for days and over 200 people died.

Data Centers Sucking Up Electricity Isn’t the Only Problem

According to Texas Policy Research, it is difficult to get a precise water consumption amount where data centers are concerned, but they say it is huge. Data usage and the electric grid are monitored. Water usage in the state of Texas is not. The Texas Water Development Board relies on self-reported water usage surveys, but compliance from data centers is lacking. According to TPR, “every kilowatt hour used by a data center represents not just electricity consumption but water withdrawal somewhere in the system.”