Addendum

But the world spins on regardless
Which is lucky for you and me
'Cause of all the places in a year’s ride from here
This is the only place to be

The FT has a good article I would have included in “Oppenheimer, Szilard & Electricity”. “Our stressed-out power grids need help” is written by Marietje Schaake, international policy director at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center and special adviser to the European Commission.

She writes,

“Utility companies are currently facing “code red”. Last week, reports of overstressed power grids made headlines in the US, UK and the Netherlands. New technologies such as crypto mining and artificial intelligence are contributing significantly to higher electricity demands. Hundreds of data centres are in the pipeline, their permits granted and on the way to being operational. But even as capacity grows, governments need to step up to map and reduce the use of natural resources by tech companies.”

“Global demand for electricity use by data centres is expected to double between 2021 and 2026, according to the International Energy Agency.”

In regards to energy, water, and land use, our Information Technology Industry likes to operate in the data shadows. “For all the data that cloud giants store, their own transparency is dismal.”

“It is remarkable that the sprawling development of data centres has not led to more political pushback. One reason might be the practice of tech companies lobbying for land permits and grid access under the cloak of shell companies or foundations. Forbes uncovered no fewer than 30 data centre projects in the US where user identities were hidden.”

Then she writes,

“Even OpenAI’s Sam Altman says the future of AI depends on an energy breakthrough. Tech companies are now big investors in energy companies. Meta is betting on batteries, while Google puts its money on geothermal energy sources. Microsoft says it can keep its commitment to being carbon neutral and ‘water positive’ by the end of the decade.”

Ever since Sam Altman popped into public view, his words and actions have all proved suspect. Allying with Microsoft spoke volumes about Mr. Altman. “Carbon neutral” is mostly a way for wealth to account away responsibility. And “water positive,” I don’t know what that means, maybe MS-Water. As far as batteries, they’re not energy generators, they’re energy storage. Bet big on Facebook.

Good piece.