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summer_in_TX

(3,834 posts)

6. Fossil fuel usage in the production of electricity uses water in the production.

Reply to riversedge (Original post)

Sat Aug 2, 2025, 12:18 AM

Aug 2

It takes 2,803 gal/MWh of water for electricity produced by natural gas, and 96 gallons for coal, but a whopping 9,185 gal/MWh for electricity produced by coal. But electricity produced by solar or wind uses essentially zero water.

Then there's the heat generated by the huge servers which have to be cooled – by water, of course.

All while the Texas legislature and the federal government under Trump are undermining the use of renewable energy, but encouraging a return to dirty coal.

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Highlight:

Texas AI centers guzzle 463 million gallons, now residents are asked to cut back on showers [View all] riversedge Aug 1 OP

I have heard those data centers... RussBLib Aug 1 #1

Well, using that much electricity creates a lot of "waste heat" so cooling towers and lots of water just follows, no? FadedMullet Aug 2 #7

Water cooled servers running 24/7 IronLionZion Aug 2 #8

Civil disobedience: take a longer shower! dickthegrouch Aug 1 #2

Cooling towers for air conditioning evaporate water. Scruffy1 Aug 2 #11

And these massive energy hogs are popping up fast and popping up everywhere. Marie Marie Aug 1 #3

Yup, Hornedfrog2000 Aug 1 #5

AI and Crypto are the next Enron... Woodycall Aug 1 #4

Fossil fuel usage in the production of electricity uses water in the production. summer_in_TX Aug 2 #6

Texas is going to be a real Figarosmom Aug 2 #9

We need a "Global Warming Tax" James48 Aug 2 #10

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