Part 8/11:
A significant and growing factor in the energy landscape is the proliferation of AI and data centers. Projects like OpenAI's Stargate, a planned five-gigawatt hyperscale AI data center by 2030, illustrate the scale of future energy needs. Currently, data centers consume approximately 2.5% of U.S. electricity, a share expected to double or even triple as AI ambitions expand.
The rise of these data centers necessitates a reevaluation of the energy grid infrastructure. Powering such large facilities can be achieved through dedicated sources or grid integration, but both options demand substantial upgrades and streamlined regulatory processes. Failing to adapt risks losing technological leadership in AI globally and hampers economic competitiveness.