The Yotta Podcast Energy, AI, and the New Regulatory Race
Apr 11, 2025
Mark P. Mills, an energy futurist and Executive Director at the National Center for Energy Analytics, dives into the future of power and regulation in the AI era. He explains how efficiency paradoxically fuels energy demand and the shifting role of gas generation. Mills draws compelling parallels between AI and aviation, emphasizing the urgent need for robust infrastructure to support this technological race. He also discusses the environmental impact of data centers and the potential for nuclear energy to meet rising demands.
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Episode notes
Data Center Energy Demand
- Data center energy demand forecasts for 2030 range widely, from a 2% increase to a 8% increase of total energy.
- Mark Mills believes the higher end of these forecasts is more likely due to increasing AI adoption.
Nuclear Power and Data Centers
- Data centers are considered ideal candidates for nuclear power, and many SMR companies are vying for their business.
- However, building the necessary nuclear infrastructure will take considerable time.
AI and Aviation Analogy
- AI infrastructure development mirrors the aviation industry's growth around 1960.
- Both industries needed to scale infrastructure and prioritize reliability for widespread adoption.
