AI & Data Center Load Growth: A Unique Perspective
My goal with this article is not to estimate how many gigawatts I predict data centers, especially with the current hype around generative AI, will consume in 2030 or some N number of years from now. Instead, I give a different perspective.
Within both of the technology and energy industries, the vast majority of people view data center energy load growth as a black box with fixed and relatively stable demand. This is a narrow perspective. I also explore some energy and AI trends that are going to affect the load growth estimates that you see in many publications.
TL;DR: Data center loads are actually controllable and can be responsive and influenced by external signals, so they should be viewed as flexible. There are many AI and energy trends affecting data center load growth estimates.
This article is at the intersection of the technology industry and the energy industry. With that, it is written for audiences in both fields to understand.
