Ask HN: Local implications and economic impact of datacenters?

5 points·shanebellone··3 comments

The largest clean energy datacenter in the world is being built in my city.

https://ctpower.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Panel2Wick.pdf

Has anyone seen any data/research regarding the impact of datacenters being built in smaller cities?

Most datacenters are a pretty good construction project, but afterwards staffing is minimal. They can use a lot of power, so it's nice to have it sited near a generator project. Depending on who runs it, datacenters can be dispatchable loads --- if the grid has low supply, they can ask the DC to shed load. If it's a single tenant DC, they'll be able to move traffic to other regions; if it's a cloudy DC, they'll be able to restrict services and push customers into other facilities; if it's a traditional colo with lots of individually managed machines owned by customers, it might not be very dispatchable, but they could tranfer the load to onsite backup generators.

They're installing fuel cells onsite that will produce 44MW which will feed power to the grid when generation exceeds use.

I believe Worcester, MA has a blossoming biotech scene which has started changing the city due to ancillary opportunities. Austin, TX experience explosive growth (property values) when tech migrated. However, the pandemic has changed onsite work.

Should be interesting to watch this playout.

I've hear, when IBM build dc's in Europe, they use heat from dc to heat public pools.

Plus, currently ~1 admin for each 100 computers, will spend part of his compensation in near restaurants. Plus, onsite autos, most probably, will use nearest service.

That's near all impact. I have worked very close to dc's (my company have own server at dc), so few periods, I spent lot of time in dc and seen all typical operations.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com