Texas is experiencing a surge in data center development, with at least 248 projects planned across the state. The data centers, which are massive facilities that house computer servers and data storage drives, are expected to put a strain on the state’s already limited water and energy resources.

What are Data Centers?

Data centers are facilities that store and process digital information, including cloud files, streaming media, and artificial intelligence models. They require immense amounts of power to operate, which can also require large amounts of water for cooling.

Experts say that Texas is an attractive location for data centers due to its business-friendly regulatory environment, available land, and access to fiber lines. However, some Texans are concerned about the impact of data centers on the state’s resources, particularly water.

Water Use

Data centers use water to cool their systems, with some facilities using closed-loop systems that reuse water over time. Google, for example, plans to use closed-loop cooling systems in water-stressed regions of Texas, which can use up to 2 million gallons of water per building.

Water experts say that data centers could account for up to 9% of Texas’ total water use by 2040, which is a significant increase from the current 1%.

Power Use

Data centers also require large amounts of electricity to operate, which can strain the state’s energy grid. As AI computing chips get more powerful and hotter, the need for cooling increases, which means more energy is required.

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.