So datacenters planned that could use the entire power generation capabilities of Wyoming. And no-one is working out how to power them? But it's cheaper coz Wyoming use Coal for leccy generation, and they have more Water for cooling.
Wyoming is big on coal but those building AI datacentres have schemes to lessen the environmental issues.
I can ask ChatGPT for you but this quick Google reply makes the point for current projects in Wyoming. New plans will have better schemes to lessen further environmental impacts.
Quote:
Not all data centers in Wyoming will be powered by coal, with some major projects actively pursuing renewable energy, natural gas, and carbon capture technology. However, since Wyoming remains a major coal producer and exporter, some energy in the state's overall power grid still comes from coal.
Here are the specific energy plans for several data center operators in Wyoming:
Crusoe Energy Systems: For its massive AI data center campus near Cheyenne, Crusoe plans to use a combination of natural gas and future renewable energy sources. A key part of the plan is leveraging carbon capture technology, which will be supported by partner company Tallgrass’s nearby CO2 sequestration hub.
Prometheus Hyperscale: The company's 1.2 GW data center campus near Evanston is also designed to operate with a mix of energy sources, including natural gas and local wind farms. The gas generation will be paired with carbon capture and removal credits. Prometheus has also signed an agreement with a small modular nuclear reactor developer, Oklo, for future power.
Microsoft: Microsoft has focused on using renewable energy for its Cheyenne data centers. In 2016, the company announced that its facilities would be powered entirely by wind energy, utilizing power purchase agreements with wind farms in Wyoming and Kansas. Microsoft has also noted that it is transitioning its backup generators to be powered by biofuel.
Meta: While not explicitly mentioning coal, Meta has a long-term goal of matching 100% of its global energy use with renewable sources. The company has invested in large-scale renewable projects, such as a major solar facility in Texas, to support its U.S. data center operations.
Lunavi: The IT infrastructure company Lunavi, which operates a data center in Cheyenne, has marketed its facility as powered by 100% renewable energy.