<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/byo-renewables-new-national-principles-set-bar-for-data-centre-energy-and-water-use/>
"Adding to clean energy supply and minimising water footprints will become
national expectations for new data centres built on Australian soil.
Operators that further invest in worker training and supply affordable
computing power to local startups and researchers can also expect priority
treatment.
The keenly anticipated data centre national principles are not legal
requirements, but development proposals that meet expectations will be
prioritised under federal regulatory assessments.
Australia has the second-largest pipeline of data centre construction in the
world, after the US, with investment booming globally to accommodate the
computing needs of artificial intelligence.
The federal government has welcomed the economic uplift and job creation but
the massive energy and water needs of the facilities have given policymakers
pause.
Unions, environmental groups and clean energy industry bodies joined forces in
February to demand an energy and water-self-sufficient sector committed to
upskilling workers.
Energy has been a particular focus as the nation struggles to roll out
renewable sources fast enough to meet climate goals and supply fledgling green
export industries.
Data centres consume about two per cent of grid-supplied electricity, but that
share is expected to triple by 2030 due to the AI surge.
In addition to bringing their own clean energy or storage to offset demand on
the grid, operators will be expected to cover the full share of power
connection costs and support network stability."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
