Data centers want to be sustainable, panelists say. Transparency also in demand
A panel discussion in Fort Worth addressed misinformation about data centers, their economic impact in Texas, and concerns regarding natural resource consumption and the electric grid. Experts emphasized the need for transparency from the industry and explored sustainable practices like using produced water for cooling. The discussion highlighted the balance between economic benefits and environmental consequences, noting an audit by Gov. Greg Abbott to assess power demands.
An "Informed Discussion: Data Centers in Fort Worth" event, hosted by the Fort Worth Report, brought together academic and industry specialists to discuss data center development in North Texas. Panelists, including University of Texas at Arlington professor Mohammad Atiqul Islam, TCU executive director Nikki Morris, and journalist Jennifer Warren, addressed the spread of misinformation regarding data center technology and its impact on natural resources and the state's electric grid.
Islam advocated for greater transparency from the data center industry concerning its resource consumption. Morris noted Texas's significant data center power capacity, both existing and under construction, but clarified that a substantial portion of these projects may never connect to the state's grid. Both panelists emphasized the need for a pause to assess demand and praised Gov. Greg Abbott's audit to streamline projects awaiting connection to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid.
The discussion also covered water usage, with Islam explaining how even efficient data centers can strain resources during peak demand periods. Morris highlighted the potential of using