Data centers are increasingly becoming a critical risk to the electric grid, drawing attention from the U.S. government. Two recent federal reports highlight the growing concerns. In July, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) released its report, Recommendations on Powering Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Infrastructure. This report outlines how data centers, driven by the rise of AI, are impacting energy demand.
Additionally, on September 4, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a Request for Comment (RFC) on how federal policies can support data centers in managing the rising demand from AI. The deadline for comments on NTIA’s RFC is November 4, 2024.
The SEAB report offers 16 recommendations for how the DOE can support the increasing power needs of data centers, especially with the growing influence of AI. Notable recommendations include:
In conjunction with the DOE, NTIA’s Request for Comment is focused on formulating federal policy to ensure resilient, secure, and sustainable data center infrastructure amidst soaring demand. NTIA seeks feedback on several challenges, including:
Comments for NTIA’s RFC are due by November 4, 2024. To contribute, visit the official RFC at NTIA’s website.
The Electric Infrastructure Security Council (EIS Council) has established a special working group dedicated to addressing the growing energy impact of data centers and their importance to Human Continuity. If you are interested in joining this crucial initiative, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Chris.Beck@eiscouncil.org.
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