Virginia's Water Supply Strained by Data Center Demand: Can it Meet AI's Thirst?
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https://english.elpais.com/technology/2023-11-15/artificial-intelligence-guzzles-billions-of-liters-of-water.html
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State Sen. Chap Petersen. Courtesy Hugh Kenny, PEC
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Data Centers: Powering the Digital World with a Thirst for Water
In the heart of Virginia, a battleground emerges between technological advancement and environmental sustainability. As data centers proliferate across the state, their insatiable thirst for resources, particularly water, poses a significant challenge to the region's delicate ecosystem. With the rise of artificial intelligence applications amplifying this demand, concerns over water scarcity and environmental impact reach new heights. Against this backdrop, Virginia lawmakers grapple with legislative reform to hold companies accountable for their environmental footprint while balancing the needs of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
In the labyrinthine structures of data centers, every digital interaction finds a home. From emails to uploaded files, web searches to social media posts, these vast complexes, constructed from endless stretches of concrete, house servers tirelessly processing and storing the lifeblood of modern society. However, as the demand for digital storage skyrockets, so does the need for cooling systems to prevent overheating, leading to a staggering consumption of water. With the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence applications, this demand for water has surged to unprecedented levels, presenting a pressing challenge for sustainability in the United States, particularly in regions like Virginia.
Northern Virginia's Data Center Dominance and its Thirst for Resources
Nestled in Northern Virginia thrives the nucleus of the global data center industry, orchestrating the processing of nearly 70 percent of the world's digital data across more than 300 facilities. This monumental endeavor escalates the region's thirst for electricity, a reality accentuated by Dominion Energy's revelation during a recent earnings call of a startling doubling in the industry's power consumption. The area's prominence was further underscored by Google's announcement of a billion-dollar expansion across three Virginia facilities, closely following Amazon Web Services' $35 billion investment in the preceding year. Amidst this explosive growth, concerns from state legislators and environmental groups are burgeoning, particularly regarding the strain on the region's water supply. The immense scale of these data centers, rivaling small cities in their energy and water consumption, reflects a magnitude of development previously unparalleled in the region.
Virginia's Power Dilemma: Balancing Growth and Sustainability
As reported by the Washington Post in April of this year, officials overseeing Virginia's power grid have sounded alarm bells, deeming its current trajectory unsustainable without significant interventions. The proposed solutions entail the construction of several hundred miles of new transmission lines, cutting through communities and farmlands across Virginia and its neighboring states. Additionally, antiquated coal-powered plants, initially slated for retirement, may need to remain operational to meet the escalating demand for power, undermining the state's clean energy aspirations. This $5.2 billion initiative has sparked backlash against data centers in the region, prompting Virginia officials to reevaluate the broader impacts of an industry long heralded for its substantial tax contributions. Critics argue that perpetuating coal plant operations will subject nearby residents to continued exposure to toxic pollution, contradicting Virginia's commitment to clean energy. Moreover, they contend that utility ratepayers in affected areas will bear the financial burden through higher bills, further complicating the state's delicate balance between progress and sustainability.
Data Centers' Water Consumption: A Growing Concern Amidst Droughts
The staggering water consumption of large data centers, reaching up to 5 million gallons per day, has become a cause for concern. Giants in the tech industry, including Google, Microsoft, and Meta, have faced public criticism for their extensive groundwater usage, particularly in regions like drought-stricken Arizona. However, the impact of water scarcity extends beyond traditionally arid areas, with rising temperatures exacerbating shortages even in states unaccustomed to such challenges. Last summer and fall, Virginia experienced a prolonged drought, highlighting vulnerabilities in regions like "data center alley" in Loudoun County. This expansive area, akin to 100,000 football fields, hosts a multitude of technology companies benefiting from the world's densest cluster of data centers. Despite growing concerns, the lack of transparency surrounding companies' water consumption poses a significant challenge for environmental advocates striving to address these pressing issues.
Data Centers and AI: Escalating Water Consumption in the Digital Age
A 2021 study from Virginia Tech highlighted data centers as one of the top 10 water-consuming industries in the US, emphasizing their environmental impact. As AI technology advances, these facilities are set to become even thirstier, given the heat generated by AI algorithms. Compared to traditional computing, neural networks require six times more kilowatts per rack, driving up energy demands. Large-scale AI algorithms, favored by tech giants like Google and Amazon, consume significantly more computing power and data points. Despite undisclosed specifics on AI server usage, Forbes polling indicates widespread AI adoption by businesses. With Amazon Web Services alone operating 85 data centers in northern Virginia and offering numerous AI applications, the industry's demand for resources continues to grow.
Virginia's Data Center Expansion Raises Concerns
In Virginia, the rush to secure land for data centers has stirred unease among residents. In December, Prince William County officials greenlit a $40 billion land development project, slated to transform the county into the world's largest data center hub. The decision sparked a public debate lasting 27 hours, with nearly 400 citizens voicing concerns about water availability, strain on the grid, and noise pollution. In response to mounting apprehensions, numerous climate advocacy and historical preservation groups joined forces to establish the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition, advocating for a more comprehensive understanding of the consequences associated with unchecked data center expansion.
The Veil of Secrecy: Data Centers and Water Usage
Data centers are notorious for their secrecy regarding operational details, particularly concerning water usage. In 2022, Google made headlines by becoming the first company to publicly disclose its data centers' water consumption, following a protracted legal battle in The Dalles, Oregon. While a few tech giants, including Microsoft, have since followed suit, the majority remain tight-lipped. Recently, the Piedmont Environmental Council uncovered through a Freedom of Information Act request that data centers serviced by the Loudoun water utility had significantly increased their consumption of drinking water by over 250 percent between 2019 and 2023. Moreover, documents revealed that water usage peaked during the summer months, heightening concerns amid the heightened risk of drought.
Virginia Lawmakers Grapple with Data Center Environmental Impact
In an effort to hold companies accountable for their environmental footprint, some Virginia lawmakers have taken action. In February, Josh Thomas, a Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates, introduced several data center reform bills, including one mandating counties to conduct water studies before approving new developments. Despite the legislation passing the Virginia House, the Senate vote was postponed until 2025, effectively shelving the bill. Thomas attributed the delay to lobbying efforts by industry groups. However, he plans to reintroduce the bill during the next legislative session, with lawmakers and the Data Center Reform Coalition anticipating the completion of an environmental impact study commissioned by Virginia to inform future decisions.