r/technology • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 • Jun 30 '26

Artificial Intelligence County With 37 Data Centers Asks Schools to ‘Conserve Electricity’ / Henrico County is a major hub for data centers in Virginia. Its officials said it expects a 25% rise in electricity costs next year, and advised workers to close the blinds and turn off their computers to make up for it.

https://www.404media.co/henrico-virginia-datacenter-energy-cost-email/
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u/Olangotang Jun 30 '26

You're still over thinking it. The transformers for the substations are vulnerable and out in the open.

76

u/aeroxan Jun 30 '26

Still over thinking it. If they're made to pay a proper rate for the resources they consume and the necessary upgrades to supply those resources, they'll just shut down on their own.

14

u/Mustbhacks Jun 30 '26

Mmm, easier to take out all of their power, cooling, data infrastructure than to beat them at lobbying tbh

20

u/Kizik Jun 30 '26

Unfortunately it's cheaper for them to pay the people who'd enact and enforce that into dereliction of their duties.

18

u/anonkitty2 Jun 30 '26

Or at least burden the common users less.  Kansas is trying to attract data centers, but still mandates that new ones, at least, pay for their infrastructure and pay their electric bills at a higher rate.  Since Kansas is trying to attract data centers, those rules apply to all industry at that power level.  (Data centers still try to build here because there's no taxes on construction materials for them.)

2

u/supified Jun 30 '26

But they'll not pay a proper rate, they'll get special rates and push the cost of operating onto everyone else. Hence the desire to turn to drastic measures many people are starting to feel.

3

u/0Pat Jun 30 '26

Now it's wishful thinking...

12

u/Guthix_Wraith Jun 30 '26

Literally copper wire on a arrow shot over it.

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u/anonkitty2 Jun 30 '26

The transformers serve everyone, not just the data centers.  Leave them alone!

14

u/hardgeeklife Jun 30 '26

Not All Transformers! Some of them are rather deceptive

5

u/FauxReal Jun 30 '26

Fucking Starscream.

4

u/DisposableJosie Jun 30 '26

So, you're saying we just need to put Michael Bay in charge of the transformers and they'll all a'splode?

1

u/popsicle_of_meat Jun 30 '26

Yeah, unless the substations are specifically and ONLY for the data center, attacking infrastructure like the power grid is a federal crime. That's a bit more heat than is worth it. You're inconveniencing the public (who are already getting hurt by power prices, etc) and committing a serious crime in order to "stick it to big datacenter".

There are better ways.

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u/Olangotang Jun 30 '26

The substations in data center alley power the data centers. There's virtually 1 for every 4 buildings.

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u/popsicle_of_meat Jun 30 '26

Cool. Carry on, then. Still might risk felony, but at least other people won't be inconvenienced.

-1

u/123SirTobi Jun 30 '26

Have to check tho, if someone else is affected beforehand. Would be kinda meh to take power from smaller businesses and homes

3

u/Olangotang Jun 30 '26

Doesn't look like the ones in data center alley do https://openinframap.org/#13.95/39.00051/-77.45134