DATA CENTER RESOURCE GUIDE
The rapid expansion of data centers across the country has also spurred the creation of dozens of resources for tracking data centers, reducing harm from data centers, and advocating for data center reform. Below is a list of some of the most helpful tools and resources Clean Energy Group staff have identified for advocates, community members, and policymakers to understand and evaluate data center proposals in their communities.
Data Center Mapping Tools
Data Center Map: Resource tracking data centers around the world. Includes colocation, cloud, and connectivity serving facilities. Audience: Industry, advocates, researchers.
FracTracker Data Center Map: Map tracking data centers in the US. Information is sourced from media announcements, FOIA requests, and public records. Audience: Advocates, community members.
Advocacy and Policy Toolkits
NAACP Data Center page: Toolkit with resources on best practices to protect frontline communities from the dangers of data centers, as well as information on the impact of data centers on the environment. Audience: Community members, advocates, policymakers.
Fair Shake Data Center Decision Tree: Toolkit walking through different factors for communities to consider when evaluating data center proposals, including actions to push back. Audience: Community members and policymakers based in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
North Star Data Center Toolkit: Toolkit with policy-focused recommendations for the local, state and regional level to restrict data center development, divided into different topic areas (water, energy, etc). Audience: Policymakers.
ClimateXChange State Policy Toolkit for Data Center Regulation: Series of toolkits for state regulatory authorities addressing different data center impacts including energy affordability, water use, public health, and the climate. Audience: Policymakers, regulatory authorities.
Halt the Harm Network: Network and resource sharing forum for advocates fighting irresponsible data center proposals. Audience: Advocates, community members.
Research and Background Reading
GRID IMPACTS OF DATA CENTER GROWTH
The High Cost of AI: How Data Centers Are Reshaping Pennsylvania’s Energy Landscape: Clean Energy Group report highlighting how extreme demand from data centers in the Mid-Atlantic is increasing energy prices and perpetuating fossil fuel use in Pennsylvania.
Electricity Grid Impacts of Rising Demand from Data Centers and Cryptocurrency Mining Operations: Report from Open Energy Outlook examining the impact of data center demand on the US grid, including breakdowns of regional grid impacts.
US data centers’ energy use amid the artificial intelligence boom: Pew Research Center Report providing an overview of data centers’ energy use and impact on consumer electric bills.
2024 United States Data Center Energy Usage Report: 2024 Lawrence Berkeley National Lab report on historic and projected data center energy demand.
Uncertainty and Upward Bias are Inherent in Data Center Demand Projections: Report prepared on behalf of Southern Environmental Law Center detailing how data center energy demand projections can be overblown.
Energy and AI: Report from the International Energy Agency with projections of energy demand growth from AI over the next decade.
DEMAND MANAGEMENT
Rethinking Load Growth: Assessing the Potential for Integration of Large Flexible Loads in US Power Systems: Duke University report examining ways to reduce the need to build new generation to meet data center demand by reducing peak demand.
Homegrown Energy: How household upgrades can meet 100 percent of data center demand growth: Webpage and report from Rewiring America on how hyperscalers should pay for consumer energy upgrades to power future data centers.
Bringing Data Center Flexibility into Resource Adequacy Planning: Grid Lab case study of a data center utilizing demand response in Nevada.
RENEWABLES AND ENERGY STORAGE
Sustainable Solutions for Data Centers: Webpage and report from Ceres on sustainable solutions for data centers with an investment focus.
Fast, Flexible Solutions for Data Centers: Blog from RMI with analysis on using battery storage and demand management to reduce data centers’ impact on the grid.
How “Power Couples” Can Help the United States Win the Global AI Race: RMI report detailing how siting data centers next to solar, wind and batteries at existing grid connection sites can reduce ratepayer costs.
As AI Strains the Grid, Distributed Energy Resources Can Help Keep the Lights On: Report and video from Pew Research Center on how distributed energy resources (DERs) can meet energy demand from data centers.
REGULATORY AND RATEPAYER PROTECTIONS
Review of Large Load Tariffs to Identify Safeguards and Protections for Existing Ratepayers: Report by consulting firm ESG on behalf of Earthjustice overviewing best practices for developing large load tariffs to protect ratepayers from data center costs.