Data Centers are consuming valuable resources- Global superpowers are looking for a solution By Francesca King
The rise in demand for AI has led to increased energy usage at data centers. Data centers consume 4.4% of the U.S.’s energy, up 1.9% since 2018, and expected to grow to 12% by 2028. Rising AI energy demands have prompted efforts to build more energy-efficient data centers.
American data centers in the are built on land and use nearby water sources to cool the facility. This is a particular problem in the Southwest, which has limited drinking water.
Photo from the Department of Energy
China uses underwater facilities for their data centers since 2025. Submerged data centers reduce energy costs as ocean currents cool the system more efficiently than fresh water. Using underwater data centers is also helpful in increasing computing power as the risk for overheating is lower.
The U.S. is exploring space facilities as an alternative to land-based data centers. Amazon plans to launch its data centers into space. Solar rays from the sun will provide energy to power the facility while the cold temperatures will provide cooling. There are major logistical issues, including how to send data centers to space, along with financial costs.
Photo from NSF
The concern over energy demand in the technology sector has grown as AI becomes commonplace. Governments and companies can utilize alternative cooling methods to conserve energy. American government should invest in creating more sustainable methods to operate AI data centers.
Francesca King is a Political Science student at Utica University
