Group 1: Core Trends - The trend of converting retired coal power plants into data centers is emerging in Europe and the US, driven by the explosive demand for computing power due to AI [1][2] - The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that global data center electricity consumption will rise from approximately 415 terawatt-hours in 2024 to 945 terawatt-hours by 2030, with an annual growth rate of about 15% [2] - The Energy Economics and Financial Analysis Institute (IEEFA) forecasts that by 2030, nearly 64% of retired coal power plants in the US will be decommissioned, providing valuable sites for data centers [2] Group 2: Benefits for Energy Companies - Energy companies can avoid the high costs of dismantling retired coal plants, which can reach tens of millions to over a hundred million dollars, by partnering with tech companies to build data centers [2] - European energy firms like Engie, RWE, and Enel are looking to sign long-term power supply agreements with tech companies, allowing them to sell renewable energy [2] - Establishing stable, long-term business relationships with tech companies can provide high-profit contracts for energy firms, helping to mitigate infrastructure investment risks [2] Group 3: Case Studies - Google set a precedent in 2015 by building a data center on a soon-to-be-closed coal power plant site in Alabama, with an investment exceeding $1 billion [3] - The Drax Power Station in the UK, once Europe's largest coal power plant, is seeking to repurpose its site for data centers, leveraging its existing infrastructure and proximity to the national grid [4] - JLL is actively involved in multiple projects to convert old power plants into data centers in Europe, including a 2.5-gigawatt data center park in Germany [3] Group 4: Advantages of Retired Coal Plants - Retired coal plants are attractive for data centers due to their existing infrastructure, which allows for faster planning approvals compared to greenfield sites [5][6] - Utilizing existing electrical connections from retired plants can significantly reduce the time required to access high-capacity power, which is crucial for large data centers [7] - The cooling systems and water supply infrastructure from old coal plants can be repurposed, saving time and costs associated with new installations [8] Group 5: Future Outlook - The transformation of traditional energy infrastructure into digital economy assets is becoming a shared goal for energy companies and tech giants amid increasing computing power demands and energy transitions [9]
退役煤电厂变身AI数据中心
3 6 Ke·2025-09-02 03:22