Data center
A data center is a mammoth array of computers for storing and processing data, typically filling 10-50 acres in a large warehouse-type building or buildings (called a campus if more than one building, in which case it can cover 200 or more acres). If the space is rented, then the landlord is called the colocation provider.
In Texas, with the encouragement of Gov. Greg Abbott, planned new data centers include:
- a 292-acre campus near Dallas–Fort Worth (near Red Oak), expected to hose 8 buildings for data centers.
- a 768-acre hyperscale campus between Fort Worth and Dallas.
- an AI project in West Texas called “Frontier”, which plans to include several data centers on 1,200 acres.
AI data centers
AI data centers are specialized facilities built to train, deploy, and run AI systems, especially large models that require massive computational power. They include advanced compute hardware (like GPUs and specialized accelerators), high‑bandwidth networking, and robust cooling systems designed for AI workloads.
They differ from traditional data centers in scale, power density, and the requirement for massive electrical energy. AI data centers produce rapid, unpredictable spikes in electricity demand, unlike the steady loads of traditional centers. They are rising fast due to generative AI and large language models.
AI data centers require large amounts of land and water, raising concerns in local communities.
Communities across the U.S. are debating the benefits and drawbacks: Northern Virginia—“data center alley”—handles over half of the world's internet traffic, straining land and energy resources.[1] States like Indiana are seeing rapid proposals for AI data centers, sometimes facing community pushback over environmental, zoning concerns, and utility regulation.
