Take a tour of the DC BLOX Data Center in Birmingham
Residents in Birmingham and Bessemer, Alabama, are expressing controversy over data center projects, including an existing DC BLOX facility. Concerns revolve around environmental issues, noise from backup generators, massive water usage, and high power consumption. DC BLOX representatives addressed these concerns, stating generators are for backup or testing, new centers use closed-loop water systems, and the company pays for utility upgrades and power.
In Birmingham and Bessemer, Alabama, data center projects have become a source of controversy among residents. WVTM 13's Lisa Crane toured an existing DC BLOX data center in Titusville, an area within Birmingham, to understand their operations firsthand.
DC BLOX leaders, including a vice president, explained that while data centers like theirs, which store data for entities such as the State of Alabama, Birmingham City Schools, Children's Hospital, universities, and financial institutions, are essential for modern digital life, some residents do not want to live near them. The company emphasized the need for data storage proximity to users to ensure fast data transfer speeds, preventing issues like the "spinning hourglass."
Residents' primary concerns include potential environmental and noise pollution from backup generators, significant water usage, and the substantial power required to operate servers. In response, DC BLOX representatives clarified that generators are only used during power outages or monthly tests, new data centers often employ closed-loop water systems to reduce consumption, and the company covers the costs for any necessary substation upgrades and their own power usage, which is not shifted to consumers.
The facility itself spans 18,000 square feet, housing numerous computer servers. While this particular DC BLOX center uses about nine megawatts—equivalent to the power needs of approximately 5,000 homes—the report highlighted that hyperscale data centers and AI factories can demand as much as 1,200 megawatts.