Is North Carolina considering using natural gas or renewable energy sources to power its data centers?
In the ever-evolving world of technology, the demand for power, particularly for data centers producing artificial intelligence, is on the rise. A new research paper evaluates natural gas supply, grid capacity, and other factors to address the production of gas in Tennessee for powering these AI-based data centers. Researchers at the University of Tennessee have been at the forefront of this research.
Meanwhile, in North Carolina, the political landscape is heating up as Democrats raise concerns about former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley's decade-plus stint as an oil lobbyist in his bid to become the state's U.S. senator in next year's election.
Virginia is also gearing up for elections, and voters are being encouraged to press candidates for their stances on the energy transition and accommodating rising power demand from data centers. As the state prepares to elect a new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and delegates in all 100 seats, understanding the energy landscape will be crucial.
In other news, the former planning manager at the Tennessee Valley Authority has suggested potential power shortages this winter, indicating the federal utility may have to purchase electricity from external sources. This is a concern that could extend beyond Tennessee, as utilities have proposed adding 52 GW of gas-fired capacity since 2023 to accommodate soaring power demand from data centers, compared to just 4 GW from wind and solar.
The energy sector is also facing challenges in other parts of the country. Hyundai's construction on its Georgia battery plant will be delayed due to labor shortages after a federal immigration raid. This delay may cause trouble for other clean energy manufacturers importing skilled specialists.
In response to these challenges, various initiatives are being proposed. For instance, gas companies and advocates have formed the Natural Gas Coalition of Virginia to advocate for the industry with policymakers and the public. Nuclear energy advocates are developing nuclear fuel recycling projects in Tennessee and other locations to accelerate the industry's efforts for advanced reactors.
However, not all news is negative. Rivian has broken ground on its planned $5 billion EV plant in Georgia, and West Virginia regulators have set a public hearing for TransGas' request to build two data centers and connected gas plants.
The energy sector is a critical component of our society, and its intersection with technology, particularly AI, is a fascinating area to watch. As we move forward, it will be essential to balance the need for power with environmental concerns and the transition to cleaner energy sources.
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