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Smart Energy Management Solutions
Infrastructure Risk
Chinese hackers are determined to ‘wreak havoc’ on U.S. critical infrastructure, FBI director Wray warns.
FBI Director Says China Cyberattacks on U.S. Infrastructure Now at Unprecedented Scale.
Christopher Wray warns that pre-positioned malware could be triggered to disrupt critical systems in the U.S.
Benefits to Commercial and Industrial Property:
Electricity Unreliability:
Artificial Intelligence Could Fuel Robust Demand for Power. U.S. electricity demand will grow three times faster over the next two decades, powered by the electrification of the heating and transport sectors and growth from the power-hungry data center space (which are crucial to supporting AI applications).
Data centers are already heavy power consumers. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, they typically use 10 to 50 times more energy per floor space than a typical office building. Meanwhile, AI applications are even more power-intensive. For example, an AI-powered search query can use 10 times more power than a typical internet search. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/artificial-intelligence-could-fuel-robust-demand-for-power-here-are-2-under-the-radar-ways-to-cash-in-on-ai-s-energy-needs/ar-BB1isHUO?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=2ae3cb8d220b42b8b60c982e2b78f556&ei=133
Much of North America may face electricity shortages starting in 2024
NewScientist Magazine: Over the next several years, many regions of the US and Canada may struggle to ensure a reliable electricity supply amid soaring energy demand from the tech industry and electrification of buildings and vehicles. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2409679-much-of-north-america-may-face-electricity-shortages-starting-in-2024/
The Conversation reports that subsidies for wind energy make the U.S. energy infrastructure more tenuous because artificially cheap electricity prices push more reliable producers out of the market.
Also see:
Unpredictable Electricity Rate Increases:
- The U.S. Energy Information Administration provides an overview of the challenges to the reliability of the U.S. electric power system, including aging infrastructure and severe weather events.
- According to USA TODAY, average U.S. electricity prices could rise at a 10% clip again this year and possibly next, despite economists forecasting overall inflation to ease to between 3% and 4% by year-end.
- EnergySage reports that utility electricity rates go up and down throughout the year but have a long-term tendency to rise. These fluctuations, which are the result of fuel costs and a number of other factors, are completely outside of your control.
1. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo/narrative/electricity/sub-topic-01.php
3. https://www.energysage.com/electricity/residential-electricity-prices-going-up-or-down/
Datacenters
According to a report by CBRE, low supply, construction delays, and power challenges are impacting all markets, leading to price increases for data center capacity. Developers and owners are struggling to build data centers fast enough to meet the growing demand, and supply chain and manpower snags and shortages are impinging on construction. As a result, data center operators are looking to build new facilities in locations that are away from traditional hub locations.
1. https://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/global-data-center-trends-2023
2. https://www.bdcnetwork.com/data-center-sector-trends-2023-2024
Cold Storage / Cold Chain
Cold storage facilities are large buildings that are used to store perishable goods such as food, medicine, and biological samples. These facilities require a lot of energy to operate, and as a result, they can put a strain on the electrical grid. In some cases, cold storage facilities have struggled to find reliable sources of electricity to power their operations.
Facility managers know that checks alone cannot save energy. They have to figure out an appropriate plan and integrated renewable energy systems to improve the energy performance of the refrigerated warehouse. Some of the renewable sources they generally use include solar electric systems, wind turbine systems, and geothermal systems. However, these systems require extensive changes before connecting them to the utility grid, and they need periodic maintenance for long-term and high performance.
1. https://www.sf.technology/en/technologydetail?id=22719d257210e77401721cb4cc3c0002
Horticulture / Indoor Agriculture / Controlled Environment Agriculture:
Indoor agriculture is revolutionizing the way we grow and distribute food by making it more local and available year-round. However, energy costs can make up as much as 60% of an indoor farming company’s operational expenditures, which can be a significant challenge. In addition, both greenhouses and vertical farms have a greater percentage of running expenditures due to the high use of electricity.
According to a report by Schneider Electric Blog, energy challenges for indoor farmers include high energy use, electrical grid instability, and fluctuating energy costs. Microgrids are self-contained electrical networks that allow you to generate and use your own electricity at your indoor farming facility.
Microgrids solve four major energy challenges for indoor farmers: reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and cost control. Energy as a Service is a financing model that makes microgrids and other energy infrastructure improvements accessible and affordable to indoor farms of varying sizes and geographies.
