Data centres

[MerchantOfEnnis]

Where do we stand on these things lads?

An important cog in FDI and the economy, or a drain on our electricity?

They accounted for 14% of all electricity consumption in Ireland last year, up from 5% in 2015. At a time where we're potentially looking at energy rationining this winter, should the government be re-evaluating the importance of these centres here?

I'd imagine many families will struggle this winter and many businesses will cease to operate due to spiralling costs and a consequent fall in custom as they pass it on to the consumers.

All the while these big buildings which to the best of my knowledge don't even provide much employment are using up 14% of our electricity.

To quote the poet Edward Christopher Sheeran MBE, I'm just thinking out loud.

 

[PROCNA2018]

Where do we stand on these things lads?

An important cog in FDI and the economy, or a drain on our electricity?

They accounted for 14% of all electricity consumption in Ireland last year, up from 5% in 2015. At a time where we're potentially looking at energy rationining this winter, should the government be re-evaluating the importance of these centres here?

I'd imagine many families will struggle this winter and many businesses will cease to operate due to spiralling costs and a consequent fall in custom as they pass it on to the consumers.

All the while these big buildings which to the best of my knowledge don't even provide much employment are using up 14% of our electricity.

To quote the poet Edward Christopher Sheeran MBE, I'm just thinking out loud.

Both. It's not an FDI thing even. We manage data not just for ourselves but transatlantic and across the EU.
They provide tons of employment, mostly indirectly.

Them not using the 14% wouldn't reduce the cost of energy for the rest of us.

 

[MerchantOfEnnis]

Both. It's not an FDI thing even. We manage data not just for ourselves but transatlantic and across the EU.
They provide tons of employment, mostly indirectly.

Them not using the 14% wouldn't reduce the cost of energy for the rest of us.

Surely removing data centres from the equation would reduce overall electricity demand which in turn would somewhat reduce price pressures on the end user?

 

[Stacky]

Surely removing data centres from the equation would reduce overall electricity demand which in turn would somewhat reduce price pressures on the end user?

What if they are purchasing renewable energy and generating their own via wind & solar?

The cost of generating energy is the issue and not how it is used however cutting back saves us all cash and the planet etc.

 

[MerchantOfEnnis]

What if they are purchasing renewable energy and generating their own via wind & solar?

That would be fab, but the figures show that they accounted for 14% of all metred electricity in Ireland last year.

This is going to create big problems for the families in Hollyhill who need to make their houses visible from space this Christmas

 

[Stacky]

This is going to create big problems for the families in Hollyhill who need to make their houses visible from space this Christmas

Nothing that a quick personal injures claim or 2 wouldn't sort out..........

 

[MerchantOfEnnis]

I'm not going to name any political parties or politicians specifically, but I genuinely expect the Christmas lights on the northside to be mentioned in relation to electricity prices this winter. I wonder what odds would Paddy Power give me?

 

[Roxetten]

Surely removing data centres from the equation would reduce overall electricity demand which in turn would somewhat reduce price pressures on the end user?

Of course it would but there are those who believe we should bend the knee to out FDI overlords at all costs.

Data centres should never have been allowed to proliferate at the rate they have in the first place.

More FG mismanagement of the country.

 

[jeepers]

Of course it would but there are those who believe we should bend the knee to out FDI overlords at all costs.

Data centres should never have been allowed to proliferate at the rate they have in the first place.

More FG mismanagement of the country.

Ireland is one of the most sensible places in the world to put data centres.
1. We are located on or close to multiple transatlantic data cables.
2. Our moderate climate means that maintaining a constant, cool operating temperature is easier than in most of continental Europe.
4. We have one of the highest renewable energy mixes in the world.
3. Our huge IT sector relies massively on data centres.

Data can, at this stage, be looked at almost as a natural resource. If we can produce data more efficiently and with a lower carbon footprint than most other places, we are morally correct in doing so. Otherwise we're just expecting it to be done elsewhere, at a higher cost to the environment and to consumers. How the fuck is Kylie (42, 14 grandkids) going to Instagram the pictures of her flashing reindeer to relatives in far flung places (Farranree, Togher and Portlaoise) over the Christmas?

 

[Stacky]

Where should we store our personal data then?

Under the sofa?

Where should our huge F.D.I. and Tech sector store it? (Thanks for the 600 new jobs but store your stuff in Serbia?)


Every single thing you do on your phone or laptop etc has to be stored somewhere.