Pipelines, energy and natural resources

[Kirkhill]

I thought that you might find this interesting. Not saying that I buy into it but the studying is interesting and warrants more study and understanding.

Scientists have found an alarming environmental impact of vast data centres

The vast data centres that power artificial intelligence guzzle huge amounts of energy but they also have another alarming impact, according to new research. They are creating “heat islands,” warming the land around them by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit, and making life hotter for more than 340...

www.ctvnews.ca

Scientists have found an alarming environmental impact of vast data centres​

I do buy into it.
If you buy into an inefficient process like generating electricity there will be byproducts.

Heat is a known byproduct of a power plant.

This has been exploited by Europeans who built their power plants in urban areas and harvested the heat to use it effectively.

We, Canadians, choose to strand our power stations in the boonies and leave the heat as a waste product with no viable market.

One solution is to build communities around those stranded sources of cheap heat.

Another is to build new power plants in town and use them to heat the towns and industry, including agro-industry.

A third solution is to park the new data centres and their generators in the middle of the oil sands to assist the extraction process.

 

[daftandbarmy]

I do buy into it.
If you buy into an inefficient process like generating electricity there will be byproducts.

Heat is a known byproduct of a power plant.

This has been exploited by Europeans who built their power plants in urban areas and harvested the heat to use it effectively.

We, Canadians, choose to strand our power stations in the boonies and leave the heat as a waste product with no viable market.

One solution is to build communities around those stranded sources of cheap heat.

Another is to build new power plants in town and use them to heat the towns and industry, including agro-industry.

A third solution is to park the new data centres and their generators in the middle of the oil sands to assist the extraction process.

Meanwhile, there might not be that much to panic about...



Calgary’s recent return to water restrictions has had several social media users placing the blame on AI data centres and their massive water consumption.

But how much truth is in that accusation?

Nicole Newton, the city’s director of climate and environment, cited 2024 data from the Canada Energy Regulator confirming there are 11 data centres operating in the city — but when it comes to water usage, they aren’t really making a splash.

“I can assure you that data centres that are operating in Calgary are not among our top users,” Newton said at a press conference Tuesday.

According to the city, residents account for more than 60 per cent of the city's water use, while businesses make up about 30 per cent.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/data-centre-calgary-water-restrictions-9.7123255

 

[Kirkhill]

Meanwhile, there might not be that much to panic about...



Calgary’s recent return to water restrictions has had several social media users placing the blame on AI data centres and their massive water consumption.

But how much truth is in that accusation?

Nicole Newton, the city’s director of climate and environment, cited 2024 data from the Canada Energy Regulator confirming there are 11 data centres operating in the city — but when it comes to water usage, they aren’t really making a splash.

“I can assure you that data centres that are operating in Calgary are not among our top users,” Newton said at a press conference Tuesday.

According to the city, residents account for more than 60 per cent of the city's water use, while businesses make up about 30 per cent.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/data-centre-calgary-water-restrictions-9.7123255

How much water does the radiator in your car use?

These data centres operate on the same principle - closed loop liquid circulation with liquid to air heat exchangers. One of our advantages in Alberta, over Mississippi and Dubai, which also have lots of energy, is our air temperature in Fort MacMurray in January.

Personally I would rather that hot water be recirculated through my house. I volunteer to let you use my house as a liquid to air radiator .... and I won't even charge for providing you that service.

 

[daftandbarmy]

How much water does the radiator in your car use?

These data centres operate on the same principle - closed loop liquid circulation with liquid to air heat exchangers. One of our advantages in Alberta, over Mississippi and Dubai, which also have lots of energy, is our air temperature in Fort MacMurray in January.

Personally I would rather that hot water be recirculated through my house. I volunteer to let you use my house as a liquid to air radiator .... and I won't even charge for providing you that service.

And that's how Nuclear Power works too AFAIK: super heated water and steam power a la Mr. James Watt...

 

[Kirkhill]

And that's how Nuclear Power works too AFAIK: super heated water and steam power a la Mr. James Watt...

Eggzackly.

It would be kind of neat if we could package heat into a shelf-stable package that could transported safely over long distance without and stored indefinitely.

But living next to a nuclear power plant is good too.

 

[YZT580]

Eggzackly.

It would be kind of neat if we could package heat into a shelf-stable package that could transported safely over long distance without and stored indefinitely.

But living next to a nuclear power plant is good too.

then throw in the neighbourhood incinerator for additional heat. There are any number of industries that could easily be net contributors to an urban heat system: just takes imagination.

 

[HavokFour]

then throw in the neighbourhood incinerator for additional heat. There are any number of industries that could easily be net contributors to an urban heat system: just takes imagination.

I really wish we'd embrace incinerators. They don't just pay themselves off with communal heating, they can also generate electricity while producing that heat.

 

[Kirkhill]

then throw in the neighbourhood incinerator for additional heat. There are any number of industries that could easily be net contributors to an urban heat system: just takes imagination.

Effin' A.

I love me some imagination.