The rapid growth of AI data centers in the U.S. is putting a strain on power grids, causing 'bad harmonics' that distort electricity quality and threaten damage to appliances and homes.
The rapid growth of AI data centers across the U.S. is not only straining power grid s but also distorting the quality of electricity delivered to homes, threatening damage to appliances and increasing fire risks, according to an analysis performed by Bloomberg.by Bloomberg claims that the explosive growth of artificial intelligence is putting an unprecedented strain on the U.S. power grid , and it’s not just about keeping the lights on.
“Harmonics are a pretty good canary in the coal mine for early signs of stress and problems,” said Bob Marshall, CEO of Whisker Labs. Left unaddressed, power quality issues can snowball, causing voltage surges that spark fires or sudden sags that trigger blackouts. The fallout is apparent in Chicago, where over a third of sensors showed consistently high harmonic distortions, and in Northern Virginia, the global data center capital, where distortions exceeded acceptable industry limits in areas with facilities coming online or expanding.
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