The "cloud" that powers everything from sending an email to asking an AI chatbot a question needs massive amounts of power to run, and that's making energy experts nervous.

Morgan Stanley estimates that data centres are currently using 5 per cent (1,050 MW) of the electricity on Australia’s power grid and that is expected to grow to 8 per cent (2,500 MW) by 2030.

Some estimates even suggest they could require up to 15 per cent of the power on the grid by then.

  • WanderingCat@lemm.ee
    2·
    3 months ago

    I think they are more efficient than years ago yes, but some chips are consuming more power overall too. Yes what took up 40u a while ago can now fit in 10u but data centers aren’t reducing in size, they’ll just fill that 40 with more hardware

    • notgold@aussie.zoneEnglish
      2·
      3 months ago

      They need to fill that 40RU with more hardware to keep up with ever growing data creation demand. Think how much data your home produced a decade ago compared to now. Everything has some sort of sensor inside now recording data.