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This phenomenon proved itself earlier with bitcoin mining operations - contrary to environmentalist complaints the additional base load with unique properties o
by drak0n1c 2y ago
This phenomenon proved itself earlier with bitcoin mining operations - contrary to environmentalist complaints the additional base load with unique properties of being 24/7, stable, and easily turned off during peaks and emergencies provided significant extra demand/funding for more grid solar, wind, and batteries facilities than would be built otherwise. Now Texas is the leading state in new grid solar and grid batteries for two years running.
The world is dynamic, not static, so be wary of extrapolations based on a narrow snapshot. Malthusian projections based on static assumptions are often disproven.
- thrance 2y agoWhile Texas produces more clean energy than ever, it also produces more "dirty" energy than ever[1], mosty from natural gas and lignite plants. Similar story for other places. The electric mix isn't actually that important, what matters is the volume of dirty energy still produced. And increasing electrical consumption is not actually helping closing older plants. [1] https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/texas-set-smash-clean-dirty-power-output-records-2024-2024-05-29/ https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/texas-set-smash-...
- slowmovintarget 2y agoAnd what of the heated and polluted ground water where these data centers operate? The take is investor-grade BS.