KEPCO Engages in Final Talks to Resolve Dongseoul Substation Permitting Dispute

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the state-owned electric utility of South Korea, has initiated final-stage negotiations with both government representatives and local residents. These discussions aim to resolve a permitting dispute that has caused a two-year delay for the Dongseoul substation project, located in Hanam, Gyeonggi province.

The dispute resolution process involves a consultative body tasked with reviewing various aspects of the project. This body will reassess the proposed site selection and evaluate potential environmental impacts, including noise levels, low-frequency waves, electromagnetic fields, and heat. Following these assessments, final negotiations will take place, leading to a written agreement.

AI Data Centers Project to Account for 8% of Global Power Demand by 2030

Artificial intelligence (AI) data centers are expected to account for 8% of global power demand by 2030, according to projections from the International Energy Agency. The significant energy consumption is attributed to the processing demands of AI, particularly the training of large language models (LLMs) which rely on graphics processing units (GPUs). These GPUs generate substantial heat, necessitating intricate cooling systems that further increase energy and water usage.

A typical ChatGPT query consumes 0.32 ml of water, and the cumulative effect of billions of daily queries results in considerable water consumption. Data centers frequently use evaporative cooling, which leads to significant water loss. Alternatives such as liquid and immersion cooling, waste-heat recovery, and relocating data centers to less water-scarce regions are being explored to reduce the water footprint.

Experts suggest that while energy use cannot be entirely eliminated, it can be made cleaner. Requiring data centers to utilize non-polluting energy sources, including nuclear, solar, or hydro power, is proposed as a solution. Additionally, strategies like model compression and carbon-aware scheduling of AI systems could reduce computational load and energy draw. Regulation of AI use, potentially limiting model size or token count, is also considered a way to manage resource consumption.

NTPC Korba Plant Restores Three Units After Electrical Fault

Three generating units at the NTPC Korba power plant in Chhattisgarh were brought back online on Saturday, nearly 24 hours after an electrical fault caused all seven units to trip. The incident, which occurred shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday, resulted in a blackout at the facility. The plant has an installed capacity of approximately 2,600 MW, comprising four 500 MW units and three 200 MW units.

The restored units include two 500 MW units and one 200 MW unit. One 500 MW unit has been undergoing an overhaul since August 25. Officials stated that the restoration of the remaining three generating units is proceeding sequentially, adhering to established safety and operational procedures. The cause of the electrical fault and subsequent blackout is currently under investigation.