What’s in the (data center) box?

This article, the second in a five-part series titled “Georgia’s hidden industry” by The Rome News-Tribune, explores the significant resource demands of data centers, particularly their substantial electricity and water consumption, in the context of Northwest Georgia. Khara Boender, senior manager of state policy for the Data Center Coalition, attributes the surge in data center development to increasing consumer demand for digital services, noting the average American home has 21 internet-connected devices. These facilities, essential for the internet and AI, consume megawatts of electricity, comparable to powering thousands of homes, and require extensive cooling systems. Georgia Power's capacity to supply this power is a key draw for data centers; the Georgia Public Service Commission recently approved the utility's plan to produce an additional 10 gigawatts of electricity, primarily for data centers, an expansion double the capacity of the new Plant Vogtle. Cooling data centers generates immense heat, necessitating millions of gallons of water daily. However, Boender states that contemporary data centers are more water-efficient than those a decade ago, with many adopting closed-loop systems that minimize evaporation. She cites a Virginia legislative audit indicating that 83% of data centers there use similar or less water than a large commercial office building. The article also briefly touches on the escalating costs of advanced AI chips, with single server racks potentially costing millions, and the minimal human labor required post-construction, although it acknowledges the significant construction jobs created. The upcoming parts of the series are expected to delve into the debate over promised tax revenue versus actual job creation, power costs, and incentives.