A study published in Energy & Fuels projects that US data center power capacity could rise sharply by 2030. Researchers from Rice University and Low Carbon Energies analyzed publicly announced data centers, looking at projected power, energy sources and locations.
They estimated emissions using each state’s electricity mix and checked whether the carbon dioxide could be captured and stored in nearby saline aquifers. Without new measures, CO2 from fossil fuel plants serving data centers could increase greatly by 2030.
The authors say natural gas combined cycle plants fitted with carbon capture may be a practical near-term option because they can provide reliable, round-the-clock electricity and emit less than coal. The study’s estimates are conservative and assume only announced power needs and a constant energy mix through 2030.
Difficult words
- capacity — maximum amount something can hold or producepower capacity
- emission — substances released into the airemissions
- mix — different sources used together for powerelectricity mix, energy mix
- saline aquifer — underground layer of salty water for storagesaline aquifers
- carbon capture — process of taking carbon dioxide from emissions
- conservative — cautious and likely to underestimate results
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Discussion questions
- Do you think carbon capture is a good way to reduce data center emissions? Why or why not?
- What other ways could data centers get low-carbon electricity in your area?
- How important is reliable, round-the-clock electricity for data centers? Give a short reason.
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