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While most of the world is actively using the most advanced technologies, such as large language models (LLMs) and other deep tech systems, the US Grid is facing a massive inconvenience. The complex training and deployment of these models require large amounts of electricity, the effects of which have now started showing up.
Recently, Google has signed agreements with two US electric utilities, Indiana Michigan Power and Tennessee Power Authority, to minimize the power consumption of its AI data centres. It has agreed to curb the power usage during the high power demands to lessen the pressure on these two facilities.
Google faced a shortage of electricity due to its energy-intensive AI data centres. This incident hints at how using advanced technologies can be resource-intensive. With the systems faltering when AI is just at its initial stages of development, future innovations in the sector might face potential issues related to power supply shortages.
As of now, Google has announced minimizing its machine learning workload for electric utilities to manage and distribute the power efficiently. The tech giant said that “This move enables large electricity loads like data centres to be interconnected with grids more quickly whilst reducing the need to build new transmission and power plants.”
Google signed this agreement as part of “demand response programs” that are intended to negotiate energy supplies with companies that consume a lot of power. It helps authorities in the US manage the stress on power grids in exchange for changing companies with lower electricity bills.
Demand response programmes are more commonly used by heavy manufacturers and cryptocurrency mining companies. However, the growing demand for energy to power the AI data centres has created the need for new programs. The commercial discussions between Google and utilities are not yet clearly understood.
Also Read: Innovative Distributed Machine Learning Systems Enhancing Smart Grid Management
With new advancements happening at a quick pace, major issues about power supply shortage in the near future are quite evident. The exemption offered now might come to a halt, and electricity bills can become very expensive. Nevertheless, agreements like these can lower the stress on power grids and keep the power supply steady.
