Not a solution, the power still is produced and consumed. Calling it a solution implies that non of that happens and there is zero impact. Which is not the case, it is an impact reducing approach....
As AI and data centers consume more power worldwide, Finland is finding a way to turn the problem into a solution.
Not a solution, the power still is produced and consumed. Calling it a solution implies that non of that happens and there is zero impact. Which is not the case, it is an impact reducing approach. One that I don't think is new either, I seem to remember it popping in the news over the years for various countries specifically for data centers. Using heat produced by industries certainly isn't new, it is one of the core principals in district heating systems.
Don't get me wrong, I think it is good to capture heat and use it where it otherwise would go to waste. I am all for that. I just don't like Bloomberg's greenwashing type of reporting on things like this. Which, to be frank, is a common theme in their reporting.
Which, given Bloomberg's core business and their demographic focus, makes sense. But that's all the more reason to critically look at whatever they report, as it is heavily colored in favor of big tech and business in general.
In dutch we have this saying that fits perfectly on a lot of reporting Bloomberg does.
Wij van Wc-eend adviseren Wc-eend
Wc-eend (literal toilet-duck) is a producer of toilet cleaning products and this was an actual slogan of theirs starting from the 80s. It translates as
We from Wc-eend advice Wc-eend
And it basically has become the standard saying used when experts recommend their own product or interests. Something I feel like is applicable here.
Like it or not, there will a large increase in the number of data centres around the world. Sure, they use a lot of energy, so the question is how do we reduce the impact on the grid and the...
Like it or not, there will a large increase in the number of data centres around the world. Sure, they use a lot of energy, so the question is how do we reduce the impact on the grid and the increased demand.
One of the key points made by the video is that areas that have data centres have been affected by large price increases, while the effect on prices from this data centre where excess heat is used for district heating has lowered prices.
Data centres will be built regardless of if you like it thanks to increased demand, but it seems increasingly wasteful to just dump all that heat used to cool them outside rather than using it for other uses.
Yeah, like I said, I am all for impact reduction. My issues is with the framing of it all. The claim about pricing is something I think warrants further scrutiny as well. I highly doubt it does...
Yeah, like I said, I am all for impact reduction. My issues is with the framing of it all.
The claim about pricing is something I think warrants further scrutiny as well. I highly doubt it does even out.
Data centres will be built regardless of if you like it thanks to increased demand,
One has to wonder how much of that demand is real and how much is artificial. A loy of datacenters are being build for AI purposes these days. While I do think LLMs do have some uses, I also firmly believe that most demand is a result of VC money backed marketing and hype driven fomo of companies not wanting to miss out.
So, I don't think it should be a given that all of these data centers will be build. And it is exactly the sort of colored reporting I have an issue with.
And the sad thing is: I'd hoped that this would also increase R&D for SMRs but instead, they're also building new gas plants (in the US) which is truly the opposite of what the world needs.
And the sad thing is: I'd hoped that this would also increase R&D for SMRs but instead, they're also building new gas plants (in the US) which is truly the opposite of what the world needs.
Not a solution, the power still is produced and consumed. Calling it a solution implies that non of that happens and there is zero impact. Which is not the case, it is an impact reducing approach. One that I don't think is new either, I seem to remember it popping in the news over the years for various countries specifically for data centers. Using heat produced by industries certainly isn't new, it is one of the core principals in district heating systems.
Don't get me wrong, I think it is good to capture heat and use it where it otherwise would go to waste. I am all for that. I just don't like Bloomberg's greenwashing type of reporting on things like this. Which, to be frank, is a common theme in their reporting.
Which, given Bloomberg's core business and their demographic focus, makes sense. But that's all the more reason to critically look at whatever they report, as it is heavily colored in favor of big tech and business in general.
In dutch we have this saying that fits perfectly on a lot of reporting Bloomberg does.
Wc-eend (literal toilet-duck) is a producer of toilet cleaning products and this was an actual slogan of theirs starting from the 80s. It translates as
And it basically has become the standard saying used when experts recommend their own product or interests. Something I feel like is applicable here.
Like it or not, there will a large increase in the number of data centres around the world. Sure, they use a lot of energy, so the question is how do we reduce the impact on the grid and the increased demand.
One of the key points made by the video is that areas that have data centres have been affected by large price increases, while the effect on prices from this data centre where excess heat is used for district heating has lowered prices.
Data centres will be built regardless of if you like it thanks to increased demand, but it seems increasingly wasteful to just dump all that heat used to cool them outside rather than using it for other uses.
Yeah, like I said, I am all for impact reduction. My issues is with the framing of it all.
The claim about pricing is something I think warrants further scrutiny as well. I highly doubt it does even out.
One has to wonder how much of that demand is real and how much is artificial. A loy of datacenters are being build for AI purposes these days. While I do think LLMs do have some uses, I also firmly believe that most demand is a result of VC money backed marketing and hype driven fomo of companies not wanting to miss out.
So, I don't think it should be a given that all of these data centers will be build. And it is exactly the sort of colored reporting I have an issue with.
And the sad thing is: I'd hoped that this would also increase R&D for SMRs but instead, they're also building new gas plants (in the US) which is truly the opposite of what the world needs.