Here's an audio recording of Session 5 from the inaugural Data Center Frontier Trends Summit, held Sept 4-6, 2024, in Reston, Virginia.
Session Description from 2024 DCF Trends Summit Program:
Data Centers' Ultimate Sustainability Challenge: Balancing Growth for the AI Energy Infrastructure Trilemma
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the electrification of infrastructure are placing a significant strain on the existing power grid. Data centers, crucial for AI development, are major contributors to this growing energy demand. A collective effort from public and private sectors is necessary to address this challenge, as no single entity can solve it independently. In this panel, participants will explore the "Trilemma" of achieving reliable, affordable, and clean energy in the context of data center growth – a timely opportunity to discuss innovative solutions and best practices for building a sustainable data center future in the age of AI.
The panel will delve into how the growth of AI is impacting energy demand and explore potential solutions. This includes exploring pathways to having enough energy infrastructure to meet demand while balancing the need for that energy to be reliable, affordable, and clean. The panel will also discuss the latest technologies that can optimize data center energy use such as grid management software, energy storage, and smart building technology. The session will also explore how data center operators can achieve sustainability goals while complying with evolving industry regulations.
