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July 22, 2024
How the surging demand for energy and rise of AI is straining the power grid in the U.S.
CBS News
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Contributed by: Colin Banas
Summary
The demand for energy in the U.S. is projected to hit record highs due to the increasing number of data centers and the growing use of artificial intelligence, contributing significantly to planet-warming emissions. Data centers, largely operated by major tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, consumed over 4% of U.S. electricity in 2022, a figure expected to more than double by 2030. This surge is straining the aging power grid and complicating efforts to meet climate goals, as tech firms struggle to increase their reliance on renewable energy sources. Google, for instance, is investing heavily in wind, solar, and geothermal energy to reduce its carbon footprint, aiming to run entirely on clean energy by 2030.
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