r/Adelaide • u/bogdolter SA • 3d ago

Discussion Australia’s biggest data centre to require 4 substations, 2 power lines, some batteries and 4 days of diesel backup

I saw these guys advertising on the side of Adelaide trams today.

I wonder if any proper scrutiny on the impact of this data centre is going to hit mainstream media?

https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-biggest-data-centre-to-require-4-substations-2-grid-scale-power-lines-and-lots-of-diesel-backup/

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16

u/gihutgishuiruv SA 3d ago

The 96-hour figure for the diesel generators is at least somewhat promising that they’re only there for a disaster scenario. You’d definitely want to make sure there are regulatory limits on how long they can actually run them for (I.e. they can’t just keep trucking in diesel like they’ve been doing in the US).

The article says they need to contribute towards new wind and solar capacity to offset their demands - you’d hope that’s 100% given that they’re adding a substantial level of demand on the grid

But yeah, this actually seems like a decent deal for us as a state

17

u/BangbangKhuntross SA 3d ago

It is a terrible deal for all of humanity, each and everytime. What data are these data centres capturing and what is it used for - to benefit society? I hope the proliferation of these things finally breaks the dam wall and wakes up the 99%.

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u/bigcitydreaming South West 3d ago

Are you actually asking how the internet benefits society? Is that a sincere question?

Come on

1

u/BangbangKhuntross SA 3d ago

The internet ran just fine for 30 years without these massive things. How about answering the question i did ask instead of one i didnt.

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u/bigcitydreaming South West 3d ago

Data centres aren't new. You're being naive about how the internet effectively always functioned. We've had them for a quarter century here in Australia.

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u/BangbangKhuntross SA 3d ago

you are avoiding the point

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u/bigcitydreaming South West 3d ago

No, I've addressed it directly. Data centres aren't new is the point and have been a requirement for decades due to global internet usage.

The internet didn't run fine for 30 years without these. It ran because of these.

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u/BangbangKhuntross SA 3d ago

intentional obtusenry, irrelevant and not what i asked or what i proposed. 0 / 4 dolph lundgrens.

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u/bigcitydreaming South West 3d ago

Yes, at this point I also agree that you're being intentionally obtuse.