ChatGPT estimates for $300,000 I can build a 10x12 datacenter in my backyard with an operating breakeven at 29% utilization and 489 year capital payback. No thanks, not in my back yard.
Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers
181–190 of 327 posts
Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers
#182I think this is because the demand is so extreme for datacenters now that companies are building them in a manner that disrupts the environment around them. The newer ones are using on-site generators that are insanely loud and require multiples more power than datacenters have historically needed. For a rack with traditional servers with just RAM/CPU/Drives, 5kW is sufficient in most cases. When you have racks that…
I don't think the average person actually knows anything concrete about them. They're a proxy for peoples' sense of powerlessness about what's going on around them. Skyrocketing electricity prices, the sense that elected officials aren't looking out for their interests, job losses, etc. They're a convenient proxy for many disparate concerns because they represent all of those things in one way or another.
> I don't think the average person actually knows anything concrete about them.
The average person around them knows quite a bit about the noise level, and how far it carries. They're starting to learn about the effect consistent noise at that level has on their mental & physical well-being as well.
Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers
#183Earlier quoted context omitted.
What bakery are you thinking of that pulls the equivalent of a mid sized nuclear power plant? Because you’re off by an order of magnitude I think. (2.2MW maybe)
I suspect the Nabisco plant in Chicago pulls about ~12 million therms worth of natural gas, at 30kwh per therm, that's pretty significant.
A quick google says that the entire city of Chicago draws about 3.4GW - are you saying that one bakery uses over 2/3 of the draw of the entire city?
Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers
#184IMO NIMB should be illegal, so long as the builder meets standards. Maybe those standards should rise to include ambient noise requirements, heat dissipation, capital contributions to water/electricity supply, additional tax burden points (for land use without, maybe?). But I also feel there needs to be an assertion that if you own the land it's your property and you're free to do most things with it, safely and poli…
Rather than making everyone comply with the strictest noise and other restrictions of residential areas, it's much easier for everyone if you put industrial things in an industrial area and residences in a residential area.
Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers
#185Earlier quoted context omitted.
I wonder how long till they start scooping up old abandoned towns?
That's what they should do. Datacenters don't need to be in anyone's backyard. The US has vast amounts of unused land as well as urban brownfields that are sitting empty. Put them there.
Heck, abandoned means those power generators are ripe for it, and that power plant you want to build? You've got the room!
Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers
#186but what thing would most Americans say "yes! build this in my backyard"?>
Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers
#187I would flip my bitch switch if a datacenter was stood up near me, where I could hear it. I am on 5 acres in rural Michigan surrounded by peace and quiet. I specifically came here for this reason. At the same time, I understand that we need datacenters. And tbh, Michigan is under-served in this space (ex, most of my queries thru the Cloudflare network have to go to Chicago first), and I wish we had more. But not clos…
Oh yeah right, underground data centers. What are you going to say next, data centers in space? Be real.
Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers
#188Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is about property rights and freedoms. Your property rights stop where my ears are. Or I have the freedom to not listen to your gas turbine. Or however one wishes to flip that on its head. Whether you own the property or not, that property isn’t in a vacuum.
That is all covered by my point about regulations rising to the task. Did you read the whole comment? The point is you should be allowed to have a gas turbine (or whatever generator meets the requirements), if it meets emissions, noise, and heat regulations.
Yeah, I read your comment.
IMO NIMB should be illegal, so long as…
And if a frog had wings, it wouldn’t bump its ass when it hops. But there are examples of data centers being approved with minimal public comment, if any. Musk’s data center in Memphis is frequently trotted out, and for good reason. When the “as long as” part takes place, we can discuss the legality of NIMBY.
Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers
#189Earlier quoted context omitted.
You "suspect", but your suspicion comes with a unit of energy, which simply does not make sense in the context. The rest of us are talking about effect.
Shrug You asked about energy usage; but I have no idea as to how that bakery's natural gas usage affects the people surrounding it. The smell of freshly baked fig newtons might offset the possible increased cost of gas-per-cubic-foot.
I guess we can go the long way round. How often does the bakery use 12 million therms of natural gas?
Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers
#190Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't think the average person actually knows anything concrete about them. They're a proxy for peoples' sense of powerlessness about what's going on around them. Skyrocketing electricity prices, the sense that elected officials aren't looking out for their interests, job losses, etc. They're a convenient proxy for many disparate concerns because they represent all of those things in one way or another.
I think there's truth to what you're saying but I also think there's truth to what people are experiencing and perceiving. A highly power and/or water consumptive data center being installed in a town or city is pretty much a perfect embodiment of people's frustrations. It consumes tons of power and/or water and therefore drives up utility costs for the locals or pollutes the air with diesel exhaust. And it doesn't c…