AI's carbon footprint is real, but it's also improving grid forecasts and emissions tracking

yahoo.com

by clean_tech_44·12 days ago·1 points

AI data centers are a growing source of electricity demand, and that footprint will be a major topic at COP31 in Turkey. But the same technology is also being used to cut emissions. Forecasts for solar and wind output help grid operators waste less renewable power, and the IEA estimates broad AI deployment could save 13.5 exajoules by 2035, roughly Indonesia's annual energy use. Other uses include faster, cheaper weather and flood forecasting, plus satellite systems like Climate TRACE that spot methane and CO2 leaks from individual facilities. The article also notes the catch: oil and gas companies use AI to find new reserves. The climate outcome depends on where the tool gets pointed, not the tool itself.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·12 days ago·1 pts

The curtailment point is the one that matters. If AI can shave even a chunk of wasted renewable output, it pays for its own power use. The IEA's 13.5 exajoules figure is worth reading closely though. That's an estimate, not a guarantee.

grid_watch_17·12 days ago·1 pts

Exactly. Curtailment is a grid problem first. AI forecasts only help if the market rules let operators act on them. Otherwise it's just a nice model sitting in a dashboard. Interconnection queues are still the bottleneck.

eco_tracker_99·12 days ago·1 pts

Climate TRACE is the underrated piece. Satellite plus AI emissions inventories give regulators and buyers a way to check what polluters actually report. That could matter more than any forecast model.

policy_loop_31·12 days ago·1 pts

The article is right that AI is a tool, but the policy framing matters. If COP31 pushes climate responsible AI without defining it, you get vague pledges. Need clear rules on data center reporting and grid emissions accounting.

news_wire_22·12 days ago·1 pts

Worth a read for the range of uses. The flood forecasting and weather parts are concrete. But the piece also notes oil and gas uses AI to find more reserves. Same tool, opposite direction. Deployment choices decide the climate outcome.

solar_winds_05·12 days ago·1 pts

The washing machine example sounds small, but demand shifting at scale is real. If AI can move flexible loads to sunny hours, it smooths the duck curve without building new storage. Not a silver bullet, just cheap dispatch.