How much energy do data centers really use? | 2 Wants to Know
Greensboro City Hall is holding a public hearing regarding data centers, with major concerns centering on power usage, water consumption, and noise pollution. While Duke Energy states data centers pay their share of infrastructure costs, residents in other areas have reported significant noise issues, even leading to a lawsuit in one Michigan town. A Virginia study found data centers emit low-frequency noise that rarely violates ordinances but can affect resident well-being.
Greensboro City Hall is hosting a public hearing focused on data centers, with significant public concern regarding power usage, water consumption, and noise pollution.
On noise, the report highlights that while some data centers, like Dynamic Quest's facility in Greensboro operating since 2007, are quiet (under 60 decibels), others have faced backlash. A Michigan town, for example, saw neighbors file a lawsuit over an "awful high pitched noise." A study commissioned by Virginia lawmakers, where the state is a leader in data centers, found that data centers emit low-frequency noise. While this noise is typically not loud enough to damage hearing or violate noise ordinances, some nearby residents still report that the constant sound negatively impacts their well-being.
Regarding water use, a CBS News investigation projected that by 2028, data centers are expected to consume over 460 billion gallons of water annually, which is about one-third of all water used for showering across America, for an estimated 4,000 data centers. However, for perspective, this amount is still less than what golf courses nationwide use for grass maintenance.
Concerning energy bills, Duke Energy stated that data center developers are required to sign agreements to cover their full share of infrastructure costs, including upfront deposits, contract minimums, and penalties. The utility maintains that data centers pay for their own energy consumption and do not negatively impact existing customers' rates.