Mmastodon TechnologyAI first seen 3 h ago, last 3 h ago, peak #3

AI power demand forces taller, higher-voltage poles in Australia

Original: Double the height, 160 times the voltage. The latest ugly side effect of the AI revolution By Norman Hermant Electricity

Electricity distributor Jemena is replacing 7-metre wooden power poles with 15-metre industrial poles rated up to 66,000 volts, a shift reporters link to surging electricity demand from AI data centres. The upgrades carry costs and visual impacts for communities, prompting debate about the infrastructure burden of the AI boom on ordinary neighbourhoods.

Why now: Rapid growth of energy-hungry AI data centres is driving visible changes to local power infrastructure.

JemenaNorman HermantAustralia

Open on mastodon →

Evidence

• Double the height, 160 times the voltage. The latest ugly side effect of the AI revolution By Norman Hermant Electricity distributor Jemena has been replacing 7-metre wooden power poles with 15-metre industrial poles rated to carry up to 66,000 volts, but there's been one… · abcfeeds@rssfeed.media · 1

API: https://socialmediatrends-api.osmike.com/v1/trends/69620