Data center water usage: Debunking misconceptions
Ron Kitchens discusses the public's negative perception of data centers, attributing it to a lack of understanding. He specifically addresses misconceptions about data center water usage, comparing it to other industries like car washes and the California almond industry to highlight that data centers use less water.
Ron Kitchens recently held a press conference to highlight the benefits of data centers, aiming to counter widespread public opposition. He noted that over 70% of Americans do not want data centers near their homes, attributing this disconnect to "ignorance." Kitchens suggested that if a large building were labeled "Tesla," it would likely be celebrated, contrasting this with the negative reception often given to similarly sized data centers.
Kitchens specifically tackled misconceptions regarding water usage by data centers. He asserted that a successful car wash uses more water annually than a data center, and the almond industry in California consumes more water each year than all data centers combined, including the power plants that supply them. He emphasized that there is a misperception about water usage, differentiating it from concerns about water pollution or storage, and also acknowledged public concerns regarding electricity prices.