How much water do data centres really use in the UK? Sky's technology correspondent Rowland Manthorpe visits a "waterless" data centre in London and reveals how much water data centres use in the UK and why the issue is more complicated than it first appears. 🔗Full report:

@rowlsmanthorpe Those “trust me bro” eyes tho… yeah nah 🤣

@rowlsmanthorpe Feel like there’s a key bit of information you’ve ignored…

@rowlsmanthorpe Why does the Uk need 550 data centres when China only needs 360 or so?

@rowlsmanthorpe Data centers are cancer. Fuck off.

@rowlsmanthorpe . Why on earth aren't they using the excess heat from AI servers to generate electricity rather using it to heat up the Thames? 🤔 It could also be used to heat local buildings e.g. a hospital in winter... #r4today #bbcbreakfast #globalwarming #climatebreakdown

@rowlsmanthorpe What a scruffy cunt 😒

@rowlsmanthorpe That constant humming of the fans will negatively affect the mental well-being of anyone living in the area.

@rowlsmanthorpe It so mostly old ones in the USA that have high water usage units. I would be more concerned about the electricity demand, the water scam is just a side show to fool people .👍👍👍

@rowlsmanthorpe fresh boiled fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@rowlsmanthorpe 💧🖥️🇬🇧

@rowlsmanthorpe Ok, what % of UK energy consumption is used by these data centres?

@rowlsmanthorpe

@rowlsmanthorpe Nothing wrong with this at all tbh. Dozen of industries dwarf the totality of consumption AI uses. Just go do some research and pick and issue with them you fucking retards.

Details Here: Data centres powering AI searches rely heavily on cooling systems to handle the immense heat generated by servers, and while some estimates suggest the equivalent of a bottle of water per query in traditional setups, the UK's approach is evolving fast. Sky's report highlights a visit to a waterless facility in London that uses innovative dry cooling methods, proving consumption isn't uniform and can be minimised with the right infrastructure. This nuance matters because AI demand is surging globally, yet regional differences in energy sources, climate, and technology mean the environmental footprint varies widely. The story underscores why blanket claims oversimplify a sector where efficiency gains and smarter designs are already reshaping the balance between digital growth and resource use, offering hope that innovation can keep pace with the explosion in search and processing needs without straining water supplies as much as feared.

@rowlsmanthorpe Neat. Now make a noiseless one that doesnt destroy communities and ecosystems

@rowlsmanthorpe I've never really understood why data centers don't use waste heat as a revenue source/ community benefit. Heated water could be used to supply district heating, or in conjunction with power plants (the DC heats water to a temp, then the power plant tarns it to steam)

@rowlsmanthorpe Please repost this @naralokesh

@rowlsmanthorpe The claim of a bottle of water per AI search gets a reality check when you see waterless data centres in action.

@rowlsmanthorpe Scotland's water will be the next thing Westminster will be selling off to America

@rowlsmanthorpe No it ain't. It is very straight forward. It is either humans or machines. Climate collapse was taking too long for some so now we got acceleration through direct biosphere resource destruction

@rowlsmanthorpe Hi Rowland, Catch details here of water, land and energy Kind regards, Aoife

@rowlsmanthorpe

@rowlsmanthorpe Sure you got a nice back hander for this 😂

@rowlsmanthorpe It seems you dressed yourself today @rowlsmanthorpe?

@rowlsmanthorpe Not sure if this is some PR stunt or correcting facts but I'm aware such systems exist & why I sometimes wonder what the scandal is all about. *My problem with them is they're being used by "some" dodgy outfits to steal our infor & sell it