AI is putting Google’s clean energy future at risk

Just when Google is supposed to be reducing dirty energy pollution, AI’s energy needs have caused emissions to increase by almost half.

dlohner | Pixabay.com

As one of the largest tech companies in existence, Google needs no introduction. Its name has become synonymous with searching the internet – something millions of people do every day.

But every single time somebody performs a Google search, it burns up a little bit of energy in Google’s servers and data centers. Multiply that energy cost by millions of searches per minute, and it adds up to an enormous amount.

Google is aware of the problem, and has announced plans to save energy and reduce pollution. The company made a commitment to power all its operations with 100% clean electricity by 2030.

But Google is now signaling that its lofty goal may now be completely out of reach.

The enormous energy demands of AI technology

Google is supposed to be reducing pollution, but instead it has increased by almost half since 2019 – the base year against which Google is measuring its progress toward its commitments.

The culprit? Power-hungry data centers.

Google recently reported that data centers used to power its artificial intelligence (AI) products are putting the company’s ability to reach its energy goals at risk.

Data centers are vital to the operation of AI models like Google’s Gemini, but they require a lot of resources to operate: Energy to power them, water to cool them. Google’s major investments in AI have led to ballooning energy use. AI is so power-hungry that the company is now uncertain whether it can reach the targets it once set, due to “the uncertainty around the future environmental impact of AI, which is complex and difficult to predict.

Google is correct to worry about the energy demands of its investment in AI. The International Energy Agency estimates that data centers’ total electricity consumption could double from 2022 to 2026 and reach an annual level equal to the energy demand of Japan.

Fueling exciting new technology with clean energy is possible, but we need tech leaders like Google to lead the way. Google needs to prioritize advancements in energy efficiency and the clean energy transition alongside progress in advancing technology like AI. 

What Google can do to meet its energy commitments

It’s not too late for Google to meet its clean energy commitments, but the company has a lot of work to do. To get on track with their environmental goals, Google should make sure its new data centers:

  • Meet the strongest energy and water efficiency standards possible.
  • Run on 100% renewable energy, with as much of that energy generated on site as possible, and that energy used to power new data centers doesn’t replace other renewable energy the company was already committed to.
  • Are “gentle on the grid” by participating in demand response programs and incorporate energy storage technology to reduce peak load stress and align with renewable energy production.

Take action to tell Google to keep its clean energy pledge

As an industry leader, Google must make sure the proliferation of data centers doesn’t jeopardize its important environmental commitments.

As customers and users of Google’s products and services, we have the power to urge the company to do better. Add your name today to tell Google to keep its clean energy pledge.

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