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The Impact of Data Centres, AI, and Cryptocurrencies on Global Electricity Usage

Tech companies around the world are increasingly relying on data centres to store large amounts of data such as emails, photos, and videos, which are then made available on the cloud. Additionally, data centres are being utilized for training artificial intelligence models and mining cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. As a result, the number of data centres is growing rapidly, with a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicating that the electricity usage of these facilities may double by 2026.

AI training and crypto mining have raised concerns about their environmental impact, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the significant electricity use of data centres. In 2022, data centres, cryptocurrencies, and AI collectively accounted for approximately 2% of global electricity demand, equivalent to 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. However, according to the IEA report, this figure is projected to surge to 1,050TWh by 2026, highlighting the substantial increase in electricity consumption associated with these technologies.

The United States is home to the largest number of data centres globally, with approximately 33% of the estimated 8,000 facilities located in the country. The US also leads in Bitcoin mining, which significantly contributes to the rising electricity consumption of data centres. The IEA report predicts that by 2026, the electricity consumption of data centres in the US is expected to rise to 6% of the country’s total demand, compared to nearly 4% in 2022. This increase is attributed to the expansion of 5G networks and cloud-based services, further amplifying the growth in electricity usage.

Similarly, Ireland is projected to experience a surge in new data centres, with the operational 82 facilities in 2022 already accounting for 17% of the country’s electricity consumption. The report foresees that an additional 54 data centres, either under construction or recently approved, may contribute to a significant increase in electricity demand. By 2026, these data centres could collectively be responsible for nearly a third of Ireland’s annual electricity consumption.

The integration of AI into technologies such as Google Search could result in a tenfold surge in electricity usage, according to the IEA report. Furthermore, the AI industry’s electricity consumption is anticipated to increase tenfold from 2023 to 2026. In the case of cryptocurrencies, electricity demand is expected to rise by 40% by 2026. However, the use of more energy-efficient methods by platforms like the Ethereum blockchain has demonstrated the potential to substantially reduce electricity consumption.

AI legalese decoder can play a crucial role in addressing the legal and regulatory complexities associated with the escalating electricity consumption of data centres, AI, and cryptocurrencies. By leveraging its advanced AI capabilities, the decoder can efficiently analyze and decipher intricate legal language, enabling companies to navigate and comply with evolving regulations and policies related to energy usage in technology infrastructure. Furthermore, the AI legalese decoder can facilitate the development and implementation of sustainable practices by providing actionable insights and recommendations for reducing the environmental impact of data centres, AI, and cryptocurrency mining operations.

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