All spin aside, emerging AI data centers will rely on natural gas
This article was originally published at The Empowerment Alliance and is re-published here with permission.
In an age of unending propaganda and spin, there are still rare times when undeniable evidence leaves no room for argument. Such is the case with the emerging artificial intelligence data centers and the energy needed to sustain and grow them.
The evolving AI technologies and their rapid implementation in almost every walk of life can be intimidating and even frightening. The technology already seems in danger of outpacing the controls and parameters necessary to harness AI’s astounding possibilities. The Stanley Kubrick classic from 1968, “2001: A Space Odyssey,” warned about a future where “thinking” computers would refuse to obey the commands of their human creators.
While ethicists wrestle with the philosophical questions surrounding AI and politicians debate laws to regulate it, the U.S. must not only compete with other nations but make sure it remains the worldwide leader. To that end, AI centers continue springing up across the country, placing demands on electric grids unlike anything seen before.
Penn State’s Institute of Energy and the Environment recently reported that in 2023, AI data centers consumed 4.4% of electricity in the U.S. alone. That’s an impressive number. But the institute went on to predict that by 2030-2035, data centers “could account for 20% of global electricity use, putting an immense strain on power grids.”
MIT’s Energy Initiative noted earlier this year how ubiquitous AI technology has become, with most people not giving it a second thought as they utilize its services daily through companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon.
“Without realizing it, consumers rely on AI when they stream a video, do online banking, or perform an online search,” MIT noted. “Behind these capabilities are more than 10,000 data centers globally, each one a huge warehouse containing thousands of computer servers and other infrastructure for storing, managing, and processing data. There are now over 5,000 data centers in the U.S., and new ones are being built every day—both in the U.S. and worldwide.”
Universities such as Penn State and MIT are worried about the data centers’ “environmental footprint.” But many who predicted that “alternatives” would someday power the world are increasingly acknowledging the fact that fueling the data center boom will require traditional energy sources, especially natural gas.
“While renewables like wind and solar will play an important role in the energy future, they alone cannot power a 24/7 AI infrastructure,” Forbes recently reported. “That’s why natural gas and nuclear are regaining prominence in grid planning. Several utilities have fast-tracked proposals for new natural gas “peaker” plants. Others are evaluating small modular nuclear reactors as potential solutions for delivering steady, low-carbon baseload power.”
While some data center developers may be considering building small nuclear reactors, natural gas has the upper hand because it is readily available and can be utilized more quickly – and it’s increasingly considered “green” energy, including by legislative fiat.
It’s important to step back and recall the conflicting courses being charted less than a year ago by the U.S. government on one hand and the AI boom on the other. While the U.S. desperately needed to keep pace with other nations, particularly China, in building AI data centers, the Biden administration was implementing policies designed to eliminate fossil fuel-based energy in favor of taxpayer-subsidized solar and wind farms.
In essence, the U.S. was on track to power down at the same time that new technologies demanded greater and more reliable power sources than ever before. Thank goodness voters came to the rescue in 2024. President Trump and his administration are working overtime to undo the damage of the previous administration. Trump’s Energy Department, guided by two executive orders – “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence” and “Unleashing American Energy” – is examining ways to facilitate and accelerate the AI infrastructure.
On July 15, the Trump administration announced more than $90 billion in AI and energy investments in Pennsylvania, “including Google’s $25 billion investment in data centers and infrastructure, Blackstone’s $25 billion investment in data centers and natural gas plants, and CoreWeave’s $6 billion investment in data center expansion.”
Last week, Trump delivered the keynote address at a half-day summit in Washington D.C., hosted by the All‑In Podcast and the Hill & Valley Forum, called “Winning the AI Race.” The event also featured other administration officials and leaders in the AI tech world.
The Trump administration’s proactive posture toward AI and associated data centers should be welcomed by all Americans. Likewise, people across the political spectrum should be clear-eyed about the emergent demands on our nation’s electric grid and the fact that “renewables” such as wind and solar are simply not up to the task. No political propaganda or spin will change that immutable scientific reality.
Natural gas is the future, and the future is now. If you’re not sure about that, just Google it – which is possible thanks to an electric grid powered mostly by reliable, affordable and available natural gas.
Gary Abernathy is a longtime newspaper editor, reporter and columnist. He was a contributing columnist for the Washington Post from 2017-2023 and a frequent guest analyst across numerous media platforms. He is a contributing columnist for The Empowerment Alliance, which advocates for realistic approaches to energy consumption and environmental conservation. Abernathy’s “TEA Takes” column will be published every Wednesday and delivered to your inbox!
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