The Growing Environmental Impact of AI Data Centers

By: Brad Martineau, CEO of Gneuton

Date Published: January 22, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, but its rise comes with significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning water and electricity usage (kvue.com - What we can VERIFY about AI and its environmental impact). As AI data centers expand, they are consuming vast amounts of these resources, raising concerns about sustainability and their environmental impact (Newsweek.com - Why AI is so Thirsty: Data Centers use Massive Amounts of Water).

The growing energy demands of AI data centers are stressing the power grids and currently slowing the transition to clean energy.

Electricity Consumption

AI data centers require enormous amounts of electricity to power their servers and cooling systems (kvue.com - What we can VERIFY about AI and its environmental impact). The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global electricity demand from data centers could double between 2022 and 2026, largely driven by AI adoption (mitsloan.mit.edu - AI has high data center energy costs - but there are solutions). In states like California and Virginia, data centers are among the largest consumers of electricity (capitalandmain.com - As California Data Centers Grow, So does Dirty Energy). This surge in demand is stressing local power grids and forcing utilities to scramble to provide enough energy (gettsyburgconnection.org - How utilities are working to meet AI data centers’ voracious appetite for electricity).

Tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are investing in small modular reactors (SMRs) to try to meet the growing energy demands for their data centers. (CNBC.com -Why Big Tech is turning to nuclear to power its energy-intensive AI ambitions). These SMRs are designed to be more efficient and safer than traditional nuclear reactors, and they are purportedly able to a provide steady, carbon-free supply. (CNBC.com -Why Big Tech is turning to nuclear to power its energy-intensive AI ambitions). However, there are challenges to overcome, such as the high initial capital costs, regulatory hurdles, public concerns about safety and nuclear waste management and the time it will take to commission the SMRs as 2030 is the earliest projected timeline. (CNBC.com -Why Big Tech is turning to nuclear to power its energy-intensive AI ambitions). Moreover, the United States is extremely dependent on other countries, like Russia, for enriched uranium as the United States only controls 9.5% of the global enriched uranium capacity. (heritage.org - Ban on Russian Uranium Is a Good Start, but More Must Be Done).

Water Usage

Cooling systems in AI data centers also consume significant amounts of water (Newsweek.com - Why AI is so Thirsty: Data Centers Use Massive Amounts of Water). Traditional air cooling is often insufficient for dissipating the heat generated by powerful AI servers, leading many data centers to use liquid coolants (kvue.com - What we can VERIFY about AI and its environmental impact). This process requires a constant supply of water, which is becoming increasingly challenging in regions experiencing droughts (Newsweek.com - Why AI is so Thirsty: Data Centers Use Massive Amounts of Water). For example, in Iowa, prolonged drought conditions have heightened concerns about water use by data centers (Newsweek.com - Why AI is so Thirsty: Data Centers Use Massive Amounts of Water). With AI servers only getting more and more powerful, the amount of water that will be needed for the liquid coolants is only can get worse.

Environmental and Community Impact

The environmental impact of AI data centers extends beyond resource consumption. The use of diesel generators for backup power in some data centers contributes to climate change and poses health risks to nearby communities (capitalandmain.com - As California AI Data Centers Grow, So Does Dirty Energy). Additionally, the construction and expansion of data centers can disrupt local ecosystems and communities (capitalandmain.com - As California AI Data Centers Grow, So Does Dirty Energy).

Solutions and Future Outlook

Efforts are underway to address these challenges. Some tech companies are investing in more efficient hardware and exploring renewable energy sources to power their data centers (mitsloan.mit.edu - AI has high data center energy costs - but there are solutions). Regulatory measures, such as those proposed in California, aim to curb resource use and promote sustainability (eenews.net - AI data centers face scrutiny for water, energy use as LA fires rage). However, balancing the growing demand for AI with environmental sustainability remains a complex and ongoing challenge.

As AI continues to evolve, finding sustainable solutions for data centers will be crucial to mitigating their environmental impact and ensuring a greener future. The good news is that there is a fully circular carbon neutral solution NOW to not only produce massive off-grid electricity, but also produce millions of gallons of fresh water daily to be repurposed into the environment, for agriculture irrigation or for drinking water. And better yet, the solution is not dependent on any foreign countries and can be brought to market almost immediately in the United States.

At Gneuton, we have developed an affordable, sustainable and massively scalable solution that addresses both the electricity and water consumption concerns discussed above. Gneuton is able to produce massive amounts of cheap fully circular carbon neutral off grid electricity powered by jet turbine engines using cheap flare gas (nuisance gas that would otherwise be burned into the air), while at the same time treating and purifying millions of gallons daily of briny oilfield wastewater up to 5 times cleaner than tap water so that it can be repurposed.

About Bradley J. Martineau

Bradley J. Martineau is the CEO of Gneuton, an innovative technology company delivering massively scalable and affordable, carbon-neutral solution for purifying oilfield produced water and power plant raw water while providing cheap off-grid electricity for AI Data Centers. He is also the Author of the Amazon Best Seller 'The AI-Enabled Executive' and frequently speaks on AI as well as provides strategic and responsible AI consulting for executives and organizations.

DISCLOSURE: The images in this Article were AI-generated. AI was also used in this Article to brainstorm and expand on thoughts and ideas, research articles, and for editing.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, business, or financial advice. No part of this article is intended to create, nor does it constitute, an attorney-client, financial advisor-client, or professional relationship. You should seek the advice of qualified professionals in the respective fields before making any decisions based on the information provided. Bradley J. Martineau is not responsible for any actions taken or decisions made based on the content of this article.