New IEA report: AI is set to drive surging electricity demand from data centres while offering the potential to transform how the energy sector works

A major new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) brings groundbreaking data and analysis to one of the most pressing and least understood energy issues today, exploring AI’s wide range of potential impacts. Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the energy sector in the coming decade, driving a surge in electricity demand from … Continue reading New IEA report: AI is set to drive surging electricity demand from data centres while offering the potential to transform how the energy sector works

Data centres are the backbone of digital economies but come with a huge environmental cost

In an article on the Environment Journal website, Richard Clifford discusses the data centre climate impacts, particularly related to Scope 3 emissions.   Every organisation needs to know data centre climate impacts, Scope 1-3 Data centres are the backbone of digital economies but come with a huge environmental cost. The push to deploy AI is … Continue reading Data centres are the backbone of digital economies but come with a huge environmental cost

Energy in Demand News, March 23-24, 2025

Undoubtedly, executives of big companies are as pleased as could be. Many big companies have started to drop climate goals from executive pay plans, as reported by the Financial Times (behind a paywall). For example, the Swiss bank UBS’s annual report this week dropped language that linked executives’ pay to environmental, social and governance goals … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 23-24, 2025

There is a new vulnerability of America’s electrical grid: unannounced disconnections by data centres

Tim McLaughlin writes on the Reuters website about the increased vulnerability of America’s grids because of the big tech data centre boom. Is this also a problem in your country or region?   Big Tech’s data center boom poses new risk to US grid operators Data Center Alley, a 30-square-mile stretch outside Washington D.C. and … Continue reading There is a new vulnerability of America’s electrical grid: unannounced disconnections by data centres

Energy in Demand News, February 2, 2025

Who would have guessed? Norway’s coalition government has collapsed because of the EU’s energy efficiency directive, energy performance of buildings directive and renewable energy directive! The Eurosceptic junior coalition partner quit after the Prime Minister pushed to implement the energy directives.  Norway (which is not a member of the European Union) adopts most of the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 2, 2025

Data centres and the energy storage solution

In an article on the Clean Technica website, Tina Casey discusses the on-going issue of growing energy consumption for data centres and the possible energy storage solution. The concern is that by some estimates, data centre energy demands are projected to consume as much as 9% of US annual electricity generation by the year 2030. … Continue reading Data centres and the energy storage solution

AI presents opportunities and challenges in the energy landscape

Ginelle Greene-Dewasmes, Initiatives Lead, Artificial Intelligence and Energy, World Economic Forum and Thapelo Tladi, Lead, Energy Initiatives, World Economic Forum write on the WEF website about AI’s opportunities and challenges. What are your views?   AI's energy dilemma: Challenges, opportunities, and a path forward The energy demand of data centres, including hyper-scale facilities and micro … Continue reading AI presents opportunities and challenges in the energy landscape

AI poses a potential sustainability problem, but can it also be the solution?

In an article on the Data Center Dynamics website, Stephen Magennis argues that AI-driven systems that predict, adapt, and optimise data center resources are leading the way, showing that it’s possible to meet the world’s growing demand for data while working towards a greener future. Mr. Magennis is from Expleo, a global engineering, technology and … Continue reading AI poses a potential sustainability problem, but can it also be the solution?

Blog by Ellie Gabel: The impact of evolving environmental regulations on the energy sector

You have likely heard experts suggest energy regulations will be more robust and stringent in the coming years. Organizations are preparing for a culture shift in how they navigate regulatory frameworks in a more sustainable world. How will this impact your industry and workflow? Why Should Expectations Change for Energy Workers? The world’s energy demand … Continue reading Blog by Ellie Gabel: The impact of evolving environmental regulations on the energy sector

Energy in Demand News, December 15, 2024

BP and Shell are scaling back electricity ambitions to escape the ‘valley of death,’ according to the Financial Times website (behind a paywall). Over the past five years, the two companies had spent a combined US$18 billion to be major players in electricity. But now Shell has sold its retail electricity business in Germany, the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, December 15, 2024