7 GW, 9 GW, whatever, these AI models and chips need to get a LOT more efficient. It's just too much!. I know horizontal drilling opened up a lot of reserves, but do we need to burn it all at once?
I like the look at huge heat release in a small area. That's something to think about with geothermal generation. Because the heat obtained by these advanced/enhanced geo systems is low quality, 400F or so, gross efficiency is 15% or 6 GW rejected to the air for every GW generated.
Also, it amuses/annoys me when, "Oh fine, we've got a few thousand acre feet here or there to evaporate in cooling towers " at the same time we're being told to spread gravel on every square inch around our towns to save every pint.
Excellent analysis; thank you. "Ginormous" is pure vernacular so factual stories are softened by it's use, but your documentation of the size of the Box Elder facility caused me readily agree that word is the best description.
I've been drawn into the data center issue with one being proposed in my once home county of Imperial CA. Knowing principals, supervisors and county staff and the region brings it "home." I recently joined a water sentinels l-serv at Sierra Club and a lot of traffic is now focused on data centers. I checked the Club position which summarily promotes responsible development. Len Necefer has a cogent piece on this. I'm learning. I'm trying to understand closed loop and contact cooling systems as conserving water when the transferred heat still needs to be dissipated. Essentially, there needs to be an alternative to evaporative cooling.
I believe there is a long back log for gas turbine generators. With 40,000 acres you'd think they could mount a significant solar field just on the structures.
7 GW, 9 GW, whatever, these AI models and chips need to get a LOT more efficient. It's just too much!. I know horizontal drilling opened up a lot of reserves, but do we need to burn it all at once?
I like the look at huge heat release in a small area. That's something to think about with geothermal generation. Because the heat obtained by these advanced/enhanced geo systems is low quality, 400F or so, gross efficiency is 15% or 6 GW rejected to the air for every GW generated.
Also, it amuses/annoys me when, "Oh fine, we've got a few thousand acre feet here or there to evaporate in cooling towers " at the same time we're being told to spread gravel on every square inch around our towns to save every pint.
This is the clearest description of the box elder County data center I have read. I’m pleased, by the way, to see my son Ben quoted in your analysis.
Excellent analysis; thank you. "Ginormous" is pure vernacular so factual stories are softened by it's use, but your documentation of the size of the Box Elder facility caused me readily agree that word is the best description.
I've been drawn into the data center issue with one being proposed in my once home county of Imperial CA. Knowing principals, supervisors and county staff and the region brings it "home." I recently joined a water sentinels l-serv at Sierra Club and a lot of traffic is now focused on data centers. I checked the Club position which summarily promotes responsible development. Len Necefer has a cogent piece on this. I'm learning. I'm trying to understand closed loop and contact cooling systems as conserving water when the transferred heat still needs to be dissipated. Essentially, there needs to be an alternative to evaporative cooling.
I believe there is a long back log for gas turbine generators. With 40,000 acres you'd think they could mount a significant solar field just on the structures.
So very depressing! On top of all the other depressing s**t!