Heat watch

[BritDownUnder]

" However, the constant growth of data centres also means that they are playing a part in the heating of the planet. “By 2030, it is predicted that data centres across the globe will consume the same amount of power as the whole of Europe does today"

According to the NextDC (an Australian datacentre company) website they are planning a data centre in Sydney that will consume 300MW of power. Who knew?

[Catweazle]

I can't help but worry about what all that computing power is being used for.

[adam2]

I can't help but worry about what all that computing power is being used for.

Streaming porn in many cases.

[BritDownUnder]

I can't help but worry about what all that computing power is being used for.

Streaming porn in many cases.

Their website does not really say but I would guess it is YouTube, DODGY TAX AVOIDERS prime and other streaming mainstream TV services along with e-commerce. I think Australian law technically bans porn and illegal downloads websites hosted in Australia quite effectively. Maybe cloud computing as well.

[Catweazle]

The UK has changed, we are now a country that can see 40C heat waves (and don't believe anyone who tells you this was a one in a hundred year freak event). This will happen again, soon, and higher. The previous record was only three years old, we probably won't have to wait long before this new record falls.

It's ridiculous that "experts" are on TV saying that these events "could be once every 15 year events by the year 2100". Madness.

Yeah, I'd be amazed if this record stands for 15 years. 40°C could be a 1 in ~10 year event *now*, and getting more likely, let alone in 2100.

Latest predictions from the Hadley group at the Met Office say this summers European heatwave could be "average" by 2035. Which, of course, means there will be hotter years before then.

https://twitter.com/ClimateCrisisAG

[Mark]

Another impact of all the Data Centres spring up everywhere...., especially during heatwaves....

Water in, Data out: Microsoft underestimates Dutch Centre's Thirst:
https://www.aquatechtrade.com/news/indu ... uch-water/

Microsoft says it only uses water for cooling when outside temperatures are over 25°C, a limit which was only exceeded on six days during 2021.
Nonetheless, Nature indicates that even a medium-sized data centre uses more water than two average 18-hole golf courses.

[BritDownUnder]

You would think that the water was recoverable in some way or could be used for watering gardens in the heat wave.

Perhaps cooling water is no longer potable but could be used for other domestic or industrial uses.

[adam2]

You would think that the water was recoverable in some way or could be used for watering gardens in the heat wave.

Perhaps cooling water is no longer potable but could be used for other domestic or industrial uses.

If water used for cooling is simply made a bit warmer then yes it could be re-used. Not for drinking as being warmed will encourage Legionella and other bacteria. But fine for watering crops or gardens. A greater volume of warm water is required than if cold water is used because a larger percentage evaporates.

Or the water might be used in cooling towers and evaporated, no way to re use that. When warm water is passed through a cooling tower, a small percentage evaporates and the remainder is cooled to below ambient temperature and re used.
Although only a small percentage of the water is evaporated, that is still a lot of water on large scale plant.

I recall the cooling towers for an medium sized office building evaporating 1000 litres an hour in hot weather.

[adam2]

Mass fish deaths in Australian town blamed on extreme heat. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-64992726
As the millions of dead fish decompose they will use up more oxygen.

[BritDownUnder]

It's been a real scorcher in NSW the last few days with 40C predicted today. Quite unusual later than February which is generally considered the hottest month.

We have oscillated between periods of rain and sunny weather and the grass was wonderfully green when I cut it last night. Water storages are nearly full across the state.

I think it is a real pity the fish can't be extracted from the river somehow and processed before the decompose and the useful nutrients like phosphorus and potassium used as fertilizers and it would help to stop the waste of nutrients going out to sea. This is something that mankind needs to look at quite seriously as these nutrients are currently mined unsustainably from countries that are not all friendly to the Western world.

[adam2]

Extreme heat in India has cost a number of lives, including twelve at a large outdoor event.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-61242341

[adam2]

Spain has suffered record breaking high temperatures for the time of year.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65403381

[UndercoverElephant]

Spain has suffered record breaking high temperatures for the time of year.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65403381

Shame it isn't coming this way.

[kenneal - lagger]

Average seasonal temperatures would be nice. I might be moaning about the rain but it's a lot better than the drought of the previous four or five years.

[clv101]

Our garden has exceeded 30°C today for the first time this year (30.7°C at 14:10).

A bit of context,
June-21 max 26.9°C
June-22 max 27.5°C

...and ~zero rain now for 5 weeks and counting.

Edit: I spoke too soon, max was 31.8°C.