THE FRONT PORCH: What is a data center, anyway?

This article from The RealWV's "Front Porch" series addresses a reader's basic question, "What is a data center, anyway?" Author Dakota Baker explains that data centers are massive physical facilities that house an organization's information technology infrastructure, including computers, servers, and AI software, which are used to store, process, manage, and share data. The article highlights two primary environmental concerns: substantial water usage for cooling and high electricity consumption. The equipment generates significant heat, requiring cooling systems like liquid cooling, which, despite being energy-efficient, is not water-efficient. Data centers operate 24/7 and can use as much electricity as a small city, especially with demanding AI computing. As the world becomes more connected and reliant on this IT infrastructure, the demand for data center space is rapidly increasing. This has led to a surge in new facility construction, notably within West Virginia. The article alludes to previous discussions about the disruptive nature and potential harm these facilities pose to rural communities, referencing a prior piece for more details on their repercussions.