Joshua Feinberg and Mark Bjornsgaard discuss the potential of data centers to alleviate grid capacity issues by utilizing their heat generation for residential and commercial heating needs.
Mark highlights that 97% of the energy used in computers is released as heat, with 80-85% captured directly from the chip.
Mark mentions Meta's 10% hardware failure rate in AI training and suggests that decentralized training can reduce this degradation.
He also notes the significant opportunity in the US, with 9,000 megawatts of district heating systems, emphasizing the potential for data centers to shift from being seen as grid hogs to industry heroes by embracing heat reuse.
This video is excerpted from the podcast Ep. #40 Mark Bjornsgaard, Founder and CEO of Deep Green Technologies | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast.
Action Items
- Investigate the current state of district heating systems in the US and identify opportunities to expand this approach to address the growing EV grid demands.
- Demonstrate the technical feasibility of using data center heat to meet nearby heating demands.
- Explore the potential benefits of decentralized AI training.
Outline
Data Center Heat Generation and Grid Capacity
- Joshua Feinberg discusses the potential impact of increasing EV adoption on grid capacity, emphasizing the need for alternative solutions.
- He suggests that data centers, which generate significant heat, could alleviate the strain on the grid by using their heat for residential and commercial purposes.
- Mark Bjornsgaard highlights that 97% of the energy used in computers is released as heat, and 80-85% of this heat can be captured directly from the chip.
- The conversation explores the idea of data centers as heat factories, which could reduce the need for grid power for heating.
Decentralized AI Training and Heat Reuse
- Mark Bjornsgaard mentions Meta's experience with hardware and GPU failures, noting that decentralized AI training can reduce degradation by less than 10%.
- He argues that decentralized AI training is not controversial and can be a practical solution for reducing grid strain.
- The discussion touches on the perception of data centers in the US, particularly regarding concerns about ESG (environmental, social, and governance).
- Mark points out that the US already has 9,000 megawatts of district heating systems, indicating a significant opportunity for heat reuse.
Opportunities for Heat Reuse in the US
- Mark Bjornsgaard emphasizes the potential for data centers to become heroes in the industry by adopting heat reuse technologies.
- He notes that the US has not fully utilized its district heating systems, suggesting a rapid adoption could address grid capacity issues.
- The conversation highlights the need for the industry to shift from being seen as a burden to being a solution provider.
- Mark suggests the US could lead the way in heat reuse, potentially setting an example for other regions.
Resources
Watch the full podcast Ep. #40 Mark Bjornsgaard, Founder and CEO of Deep Green Technologies | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast
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