Re: Ballpark power comsumption figure anyone?
chat GPT suggests ~ 50 MWh
Over a year:
50×24×365=438,000 MWh or 438 GWh.
1. Annual Energy Consumption
The AI data center consumes 438 GWh/year (50 MW × 24 hours/day × 365 days).
2. Energy Available from Sunlight
The amount of sunlight (solar irradiance) falling on one square meter varies by location, but a global average is 1,000 W/m² under peak conditions. Over a year:
Average Solar Irradiance: ~5 kWh/m²/day (typical for sunny regions).
Annual Solar Energy per m²: 5 kWh/m²/day × 365 days = 1,825 kWh/m²/year
3. Solar Panel Efficiency
Modern solar panels have efficiencies between 18% and 22%. Assuming 20% efficiency:
Energy Captured per m² per Year:
1,825kWh/m²/year×0.20=365kWh/m²/year.
4. Total Area Required for Solar Panels
To meet the annual energy demand:
Total Area=
365kWh/m²/year
438,000,000kWh
≈1,200,000m².
This translates to 1,200 hectares (12 km² or ~3,000 acres).
5. Battery Storage
Daily Energy Requirement:
Nighttime energy (12 hours of no sunlight):
600MWh×3=1,800MWh.
Battery Volume and Weight:
Energy density of lithium-ion batteries: ~250 Wh/L and ~6 Wh/kg.
Battery volume:
1,800,000kWh÷0.25kWh/L=7,200,000L=7,200m³.
Battery weight:
1,800,000kWh÷0.006kWh/kg=300,000,000kg or 300,000 tons.
Battery Space:
Assuming batteries are packed at ~1,000 kg/m³, the storage space would be
300,000m³, which is roughly 15,000 m² (considering 20 m height).
6. Summary
Solar Panel Area: ~1,200,000 m² (1,200 hectares or ~3,000 acres).
Battery Space: ~15,000 m² (1.5 hectares or ~3.7 acres).
Total Space Needed: ~1,215 hectares (12.15 km² or ~3,003 acres).
This estimate assumes efficient land use for solar panels and battery storage. Adjustments would depend on panel orientation, spacing, and local solar irradiance.