As artificial intelligence (AI) adoption skyrockets—and especially generative AI (genAI)—the underlying infrastructure powering these technologies faces unprecedented demands. Data centers, the nerve centers of AI operations, rely heavily on electricity, and their growth is reshaping how we think about energy.
The current power consumption by data centers already accounts for about 3% of the world’s electricity. However, as AI continues to scale, projections suggest that data centers’ share of energy consumption could more than double to 8% by 2030. This increased demand on the power grid is pressing organizations to explore new energy solutions to mitigate the strain, with recent partnerships—such as Microsoft’s deal with Constellation Energy—demonstrating a growing commitment to sustainable power.
COMMENTARY
Yet, despite these efforts, the implications for our power grid and the potential impact on critical infrastructure could be severe if AI-driven energy demands aren’t managed sustainably.
The Power Grid: More Than a Light Switch
When most people think of disruptions to the power grid, they imagine losing access to essentials like lighting or the ability to charge their devices. However, the grid’s role goes far beyond these conveniences; it’s integral to many aspects of critical infrastructure, including the water and wastewater systems we depend on daily. Powering AI without compromising these vital services presents a complex challenge—AI is a cool piece of technology, but it’s not worth losing access to our indoor plumbing.
Our critical infrastructure is a network of interdependent systems, each playing an invaluable role in maintaining societal stability. When energy demand from AI begins encroaching on the grid’s capacity, there are no expendable pieces to cut back on power consumption. Every component is crucial, and the ripple effect of a failure in one area could lead to a cascade of disruptions across multiple systems.
While resilience is built into some parts of the grid, this is not universally true. If overextended, even robust systems may face instability, putting critical infrastructure—and the public—at risk.
Building for AI
To understand why AI is putting so much pressure on our energy infrastructure, it’s important to look at how data centers consume electricity. Beyond simply plugging in servers, a significant portion of the power goes toward maintaining the cooling systems that keep AI servers at optimal temperatures. Unlike traditional data centers, which have more straightforward cooling needs, the intense heat generated by AI-specific workloads requires more advanced cooling technology.
These high-powered cooling systems, while essential, are also major energy consumers. As the volume of data processed in AI systems grows, cooling demands will continue to rise. Without these systems, AI infrastructure would face frequent overheating, putting operational continuity at risk. The energy demands are projected to outpace the capacities of our current infrastructure, and, without intervention, consumers may bear the burden through increased energy bills (or even blackouts). The strain on the power grid from AI demands is unsustainable both economically and environmentally, highlighting the urgency of finding more efficient, sustainable energy solutions.
Bringing Sustainability into Focus
While it may be unrealistic to completely rebuild the power grid to support these new demands, there’s still room for progress. AI data centers, being relatively new compared to traditional infrastructure, have the unique opportunity to build sustainably from the ground up. Leveraging renewable energy sources—such as solar or wind power—could offer a solution that mitigates the impact on existing power infrastructure.
This approach enables organizations to meet AI’s growing demand without further straining already stressed segments of the power grid. Additionally, developing sustainable AI infrastructure could prevent a future where AI-related energy consumption creates scarcity and raises energy costs across other sectors. By investing in renewable power for data centers today, companies can ensure that AI’s growth does not compromise the foundational services society relies on.
This forward-thinking approach has its challenges, but AI providers are in a unique position to set a resilient foundation for the long term. The energy demands of AI will only increase, and by establishing sustainable practices early on, the industry can avoid creating critical issues that could otherwise compromise future growth. As AI continues to prove its value across industries, the infrastructure supporting it must be equally durable and forward-looking.
As organizations look to the future, the pressure to balance innovation with sustainability will only increase. With AI proving itself as a transformational technology, ensuring that it’s powered sustainably is not just an environmental necessity—it’s a strategic imperative. By shifting data centers toward renewable energy sources, companies can support AI’s growth while minimizing the risk of disruptions to the power grid and the critical infrastructure it supports.
—Joe Morgan is Segment Development Manager, Critical Infrastructure, at Axis Communications.
