Microsoft goes nuclear to deal with energy influx due to the meteoritic rise of its AI platforms.

Data centers, the things that physically store and share applications and data, require an enormous amount of energy to run. These giant storage units, responsible for 1-1.5% of global electricity consumption, have traditionally relied on renewable sources like solar and wind but it seems as though renewable energy just won’t be able to keep up with the demand required moving forward.

    • Goku@lemmy.world
      2·
      10 months ago

      I watched that video, and while I agree that nuclear waste is safer than fossils fuels, there is still a non-zero risk to storing nuclear waste, especially if you consider how long it remains radioactive.

      Would I prefer to live near a nuclear plant or a coal plant? definitely nuclear.

      Wind, solar, and renewables are still cleaner than nuclear.

      Also burying nuclear waste in what that video says:

      [far away from] any geologically active area

      With climate change we are seeing extreme weather events and earthquakes more frequently than expected. Who’s to say that areas which are currently not active won’t become active.

      Don’t get me wrong, I understand renewables are not going to supply all the power we need right now. I realize that nuclear is the cleaner option (comprlared to fossils fuels).

      However, I am still concerned about the nuclear waste. I’m glad they have tight security, and it’s good to know the barrels are missile resistant… But nothing is 100% safe. If a terrorist decides to make one of these sites a target, and they have enough money and influence, I’m sure it’s possible for them to penetrate security and penetrate those barrels.

      Radiation levels are low around the barrels but if contamination occurs that would still be a disaster.