Pushing to make the data centers more efficient seems like a missed opportunity to demand that they use renewables only, or else cut them off the grid so they’re forced to generate their own energy while also making it very very expensive to pollute.
Essentially, it seems like legislation could force data centers into a spot where they have to divert some of their profits into building up more renewable energy - for themselves and for the grid
Making them more efficient makes energy usage lower, which means lower emissions.
Switching the power source doesn’t make them use less energy, they will use the exact same amount.
The energy power source they switched to could power other industries/homes instead.
Unless the mandate is “generate as much green energy as you’re consuming”. Which would probably mean they’d find some loophole like buying energy companies or something.
Pity that waste heat couldn’t be used to offset household or business heating and thereby reduce energy usage elsewhere.
That’s entirely possible we do that here. Unfortunately the infrastructure is very expensive if your city doesn’t already have district heating and if it does like most cities do here, I’m guessing it’s still pretty damn expensive to implement.
It’s great though.
