AI-generated illustration.
Every cloud service, video stream and AI query depends on electricity. Data centers draw on a mix of energy sources, shaped by location, available infrastructure and reliability needs.
Utility grids supply electricity generated from natural gas, coal, nuclear power and renewables such as wind, solar and hydropower. Some data center projects also use on-site natural gas generation, particularly where grid connections are constrained. Nuclear provides steady, low-carbon electricity, while renewable energy contracts help operators support clean generation. Those contracts don’t necessarily mean a facility runs on renewable electricity every hour.
Backup systems provide another layer of protection. Many facilities use diesel generators during outages, while battery-based uninterruptible power supplies keep equipment running through brief disruptions or until generators start. Batteries store electricity produced elsewhere; they aren’t a primary energy source.
As demand grows, the challenge is to combine dependable power, efficient operations and lower emissions while supporting the communities and grids data centers rely on.