What are data centers? Breaking down the basics

What are data centers? Breaking down the basics

News ClipWZTV·Nashville, Davidson County, TN·7/9/2026

This article explains the basics of data centers, their function in supporting internet services and AI, and their significant consumption of electricity and water for cooling. It notes that data center proposals are facing pushback in Middle Tennessee.

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WZTV's FOX 17 News has delved into the fundamental aspects of data centers amidst growing pushback against proposed developments in Middle Tennessee. The report defines data centers as large facilities housing thousands of computer servers, essential for powering everyday internet functions like cloud storage, streaming services, online banking, and increasingly, artificial intelligence.

The article highlights two key resource demands: electricity and water. Data centers require substantial amounts of electricity to operate their servers and are also dependent on water for cooling systems to prevent equipment from overheating, a critical component in maintaining their operational efficiency.