{"id":2287058,"date":"2024-07-01T10:11:55","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T14:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/renewables-cant-satisfy-ais-insatiable-demand-for-energy-13\/"},"modified":"2024-07-01T10:14:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T14:14:09","slug":"renewables-cant-satisfy-ais-insatiable-demand-for-energy-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/renewables-cant-satisfy-ais-insatiable-demand-for-energy-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Renewables Can&#8217;t Satisfy AI&#8217;s Insatiable Demand For Energy"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frenewables-cant-satisfy-ais-insatiable-demand-for-energy-13%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2287058&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In the realm of artificial intelligence (AI),\u2064 the demand for energy has become \u2062a critical concern as AI\u200c systems continue to advance into various aspects of modern life. Mark P. Mills, the \u200bexecutive director of \u2062the National Center\u2062 for Energy \u200cAnalytics, highlights the substantial energy \u2064requirements of AI applications such as deep learning and real-time data\u200b processing. The global electricity consumption by\u200d AI alone could reach 1,000 terawatt-hours annually by 2026, \u2064raising questions about whether renewable energy sources can adequately power the \u200cAI revolution. Mills argues that while\u200c renewable sources like solar and \u2063wind have \u200bmade progress, they face limitations in meeting the continuous \u200cand predictable energy demands\u200c of AI systems, \u2064which require uninterrupted power to function optimally. He suggests \u200cthat modular nuclear reactors and \u200bnuclear\u2064 power could provide\u2064 the continuous and reliable energy \u200cneeded for AI operations. However,\u2064 regulatory hurdles and\u2062 environmental lawsuits have hindered the construction of new nuclear power plants in the United States. The debate over whether renewables or nuclear power should fuel the AI \u200cfuture continues, emphasizing the importance of addressing the energy \u200bchallenges posed \u200dby AI&#8217;s growth.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>In the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), where data crunching and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/renewables-cant-satisfy-ais-insatiable-demand-for-energy-2\/\" title=\"Renewables Fall Short of Meeting AI&#039;s Massive Energy Needs\">machine-learning algorithms reign supreme<\/a>, the demand for energy has emerged as a critical concern. Mark P. Mills, the executive director of the <a href=\"https:\/\/energyanalytics.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Center for Energy Analytics<\/a> (an initiative I oversee at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texaspolicy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas Public Policy Foundation<\/a>), argues that the energy requirements for AI systems are far more substantial than most of us know. His insights paint a sobering picture of the energy landscape that awaits us as AI continues its relentless advance into every facet of modern life.<\/p>\n<p>Mills contends that the computational intensity of AI applications, such as deep learning and real-time data processing, is driving an unprecedented surge in energy consumption. According to the International Energy Agency, the global electricity consumption by AI alone could reach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.afr.com\/world\/north-america\/the-next-cold-war-is-taking-place-in-a-chilled-data-centre-20240523-p5jfxl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually by 2026<\/a>, slightly more than the total electricity consumption of <a href=\"https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/country-rankings\/electricity-consumption-by-country\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Japan<\/a>. The appetite will be formidable as it becomes integral to industries ranging from health care to finance, and transportation to agriculture.<\/p>\n<p>At the heart of the debate lies a fundamental question: Can renewable energy sources adequately power the AI revolution? Silicon Valley, home to tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Tesla, has been a vocal advocate for renewable energy solutions. Many of these companies have committed to ambitious sustainability goals, including achieving carbon neutrality or even operating entirely on renewable energy. Most of these promises are hollow, at best, in that they rely on periodic renewable energy contracts to make the claim that they\u2019re 100 percent renewable while connected to a grid stabilized and made reliable largely by traditional dispatchable thermal power \u2014 nuclear, natural gas, and even coal.<\/p>\n<p>California is the nation\u2019s test case for renewables. It\u2019s the state with the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/renewables-cant-satisfy-ais-insatiable-demand-for-energy\/\" title=\"Renewables Fall Short of Meeting AI&#039;s Massive Energy Needs\">aggressive greenhouse gas reduction agenda<\/a>. I voted against <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leginfo.ca.gov\/pub\/05-06\/bill\/asm\/ab_0001-0050\/ab_32_bill_20060927_chaptered.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AB 32, the \u201cCalifornia Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006<\/a>,\u201d which kicked off this effort. Back then, California\u2019s electricity prices were the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/electricity\/sales_revenue_price\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">eighth most expensive in the nation and 44 percent above the national average<\/a>. Today, after installing all that \u201ccheap\u201d solar and wind energy, California\u2019s electricity prices are the second most expensive in the United States, trailing only Hawaii, with consumers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/electricity\/monthly\/epm_table_grapher.php?t=table_5_06_b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">paying almost double the national average<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, while a grid dominated by renewables isn\u2019t affordable, it\u2019s also not reliable. Mills argues that though renewable sources like solar and wind have made significant strides, they face <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nA1hqIPbVr8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">inherent<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.city-journal.org\/article\/the-energy-transition-wont-happen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">limitations<\/a> in meeting the continuous and predictable energy demands of AI systems.<\/p>\n<p>The reality is stark: AI operations require uninterrupted power to function optimally. Unlike conventional electricity generation, where output can be adjusted to meet fluctuating demand, renewable sources depend on weather conditions and geographic location. This intermittency poses challenges for maintaining the stability and reliability of the power supply necessary for AI\u2019s computational tasks, which often operate around the clock. The same can be said of chip fabrication as well as other industrial processes.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, the infrastructure needed to support AI\u2019s energy demands goes beyond generating capacity. Mills points out that the transmission and storage of electricity \u2014 key components in ensuring a reliable energy supply \u2014 are critical bottlenecks that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.financialsense.com\/podcast\/20900\/mark-mills-policy-vs-reality-and-coming-energy-storm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">must be addressed<\/a> to accommodate AI\u2019s voracious appetite for power. Without substantial advancements in grid technology and energy storage solutions, the scalability of renewable energy in meeting AI\u2019s needs remains a mirage \u2014 an expensive mirage.<\/p>\n<p>A promising solution lies in the adoption of modular nuclear reactors and nuclear power in general. These technologies offer the continuous and reliable energy necessary for AI operations, providing a stable base load that complements intermittent renewable sources. Nuclear power, with its low carbon emissions and high energy density, is uniquely positioned to support the energy-intensive demands of AI. <\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the regulatory process for permitting new nuclear power plants resembles a plate of spaghetti, with environmental lawsuits as the sauce on top. Only two new nuclear reactors have come online in the United States in the past three decades \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajc.com\/news\/breaking-new-vogtle-nuclear-reactor-now-online-completing-expansion\/TX5IKFCXZ5EQ3AWY6SQRBOXQW4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vogtle Units 3 and 4<\/a>, which connected to the grid in July 2023 and April 2024 and \u201cproduce enough electricity to power 1 million homes.\u201d China, on the other hand, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=61927\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">55 nuclear reactors<\/a> with 23 under construction, while India has <a href=\"https:\/\/world-nuclear.org\/information-library\/country-profiles\/countries-g-n\/india\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more than 20 with seven more<\/a> under construction. Rather than reduce the red tape, Congress has sought to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ans.org\/news\/article-5836\/federal-appropriations-bills-include-212-million-hike-in-nuclear-funding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pour subsidies<\/a> on the problem \u2014 meaning that if nuclear power does get built here, it will take too long and cost too much.<\/p>\n<p>Silicon Valley\u2019s techno-optimism \u2014 and business plans \u2014 must be fueled by reliable power. But <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/renewables-cant-satisfy-ais-insatiable-demand-for-energy-3\/\" title=\"Renewables Fall Short of Meeting AI&#039;s Massive Energy Needs\">green tech advocates remain steadfast<\/a> in their belief that renewables can and should power the AI future. However, the gap between aspiration and practicality is widening, sparking interesting political frictions in what used to be a close alliance.<\/p>\n<p>The political and policy implications of this debate are profound. Germany is a cautionary example of a nation that grappled with decarbonization goals and commitments under the Paris Agreement, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/features\/2024-02-10\/why-germany-s-days-as-an-industrial-superpower-are-coming-to-an-end?embedded-checkout=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">voluntarily starting the process of deindustrialization<\/a> in service of green goals \u2014 something envisioned by the Morgenthau Plan in the aftermath of World War II as a punishment and a means of preventing the Germans from having the capacity to start another world war. Now Germany is faced with making a costly volte-face on energy if it is to avoid being entirely dependent on China, much less even try to participate in the AI space.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the economic dimensions of AI\u2019s energy demands cannot be overlooked. Mills warns that overlooking the scale of energy consumption by AI could lead to supply constraints and price volatility in global energy markets. For industries reliant on AI technologies \u2014 from autonomous vehicles to smart grids \u2014 ensuring stable and affordable energy sources is essential for long-term viability and growth.<\/p>\n<p>AI is coming, whether policymakers understand the energy implications or not. Since politicians aren\u2019t likely to move fast enough, the fascinating thing to watch will be the necessity-driven transformation of Silicon Valley into a major energy-producing powerhouse.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<div>\n<p>      Chuck DeVore is chief national initiatives officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a former California legislator, and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel. He&#8217;s the author of <a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0BGNKPTLR\">\u201cThe Crisis of the House Never United\u2014A Novel of Early America.\u201d <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the world of artificial intelligence (AI), the issue of energy consumption has become a major concern. Mark P. Mills, from the National Center for Energy Analytics, argues that the energy demands of AI systems are much higher than commonly believed. As AI becomes more integrated into various industries, the need for energy to power these systems will only increase. While renewable energy sources have been promoted as a solution, Mills suggests that they may not be able to meet the continuous and predictable energy needs of AI. He proposes that nuclear power could be a more reliable option to support the energy-intensive requirements of AI. However, the regulatory hurdles and slow progress in building new nuclear power plants in the United States may hinder this solution. The debate over how to power AI in a sustainable and reliable way has significant political, economic, and policy implications, as industries relying on AI technologies need stable and affordable energy sources to thrive. Despite the challenges, AI is advancing rapidly, and the transformation of Silicon Valley into a major energy producer may become a necessity in the future<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":563,"featured_media":2287059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Untitled-design-6.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546],"tags":[32357,33480,21109],"class_list":["post-2287058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-energy-demand","tag-renewables"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Untitled-design-6.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2287058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/563"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2287058"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2287058\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2287059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2287058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2287058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2287058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}