Sign up to save tools and stay up to date with the latest in AI
bg
bg
1

AI Power Demand Complicates Low-Carbon Goals, Dominion CEO Says

Nov 13, 2024 - financialpost.com
The surge in power demand from data centers and artificial intelligence is creating a conflict between maintaining a reliable grid and reducing carbon emissions, says Bob Blue, CEO of Dominion Energy Inc. The company, based in Virginia, a global hub for the rapidly expanding data-center industry, predicts its power demand will double by 2039. To meet this, Dominion plans to build large amounts of solar, wind, gas power, and battery storage. However, the options of building new natural gas plants or keeping old coal and gas plants running longer pose challenges to achieving climate goals.

Dominion is also exploring the development of small modular nuclear reactors with Amazon.com Inc., despite the technology not yet operating on a commercial scale in the US. Blue emphasized that Dominion is transitioning from coal to gas, which has helped cut its carbon emissions by over half since 2005. He also mentioned that while Virginia law requires Dominion to produce electricity only from renewable sources by 2045, it doesn't mandate state regulators to make decisions that will compromise grid reliability.

Key takeaways:

  • The boom in power demand from data centers and artificial intelligence creates a conflict between maintaining a reliable grid and cutting carbon emissions, according to the head of Dominion Energy Inc.
  • Dominion Energy plans to build large amounts of solar, wind, gas power, and battery storage to meet the increasing power demand.
  • Dominion recently agreed with Amazon.com Inc. to explore the development of small modular nuclear reactors, though the technology hasn’t yet operated on a commercial scale in the US.
  • Dominion is still transitioning from coal to gas, which among other efforts has allowed the company to cut its carbon emissions by more than half since 2005.
View Full Article

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment!