Environmental Impacts of Large Loads and Data Centers

LLDC Learning Hub Key Topic Area

Resources for Electric Cooperatives


Additional Resources from the Industry

The following are additional resources available from industry stakeholders regarding environmental impacts of large loads and data centers:

  • 2024 United States Data Center Energy Usage Report, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), (2024 national laboratory report)
    The definitive U.S. assessment of data center electricity, water, and carbon impacts, including projections through 2028 and analysis of direct versus indirect water use associated with electricity generation.
  • Data Center Cooling and Water Management Research, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), (ongoing technical research program)
    Provides utility-focused engineering guidance on coolin    g technologies, water-efficient system design, liquid cooling, closed-loop cooling systems, and strategies to reduce water consumption while maintaining reliability.
  • 2026 AI Index Report, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), (2026 annual research report)
    One of the most comprehensive and widely cited assessments of the global AI landscape, providing objective, data-driven analysis of AI adoption, model performance, data center infrastructure, energy demand, investment trends, and the environmental footprint of AI. The report is particularly valuable for understanding the rapid growth of AI-driven data centers and the infrastructure required to support future computing demand.
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Find Out More at NRECA's LLDC Learning Hub

These resources are part of our Large Loads and Data Centers Learning Hub and are intended to assist electric cooperatives in understanding and preparing for the opportunities and challenges presented by evolving large loads in our industry.

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