The AI hype is probably collapsing soon. But that won't solve the issue. It's basically the only thing that drives the ponzi scheme, sorry, the "stock market growth". It'll end in tears for working people again.
If it really grows that much and households then consume a small fraction of the generated electricity, it would be easy to tax the electricity generated for AI and just make it free for household consumers.
Are there any utilities that have progressive rates electricity rates? Where the first X kWh are $0.12/kWh, the next Y kWh are $0.15/kWh, and then anything over Z kWh are $0.18/kWh, etc?
Though it seems that nowadays, much of that cost goes to taxes and fees, rather than electricity rate itself.
Texas has all sorts of options. Most power usage here is structured where individuals can select which Retail Electric Provider (REP) to use. They essentially wholesale energy from the grid. I had the (dis)pleasure of searching for a new contract after ours expired so have a refreshed memory of options:
- flat rates
- discounted for more or less spend
- credits issued at X usage (which is only good at X specifically because its generally an expensive rate but it’s a marketing ploy for filter based searches).
- free or discounted night time or weekends
- etc.
If you can imagine they charge a certain way, there is likely someone trying it.
All programs, tariffs and subsidies are ultimately paid for by Joe consumer, who has an increasing percentage of the load, and absolutely nobody to pass the it along to.
Readit News
Related:
Electricity prices are climbing more than twice as fast as inflation
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44931763
Big Tech's A.I. Data Centers Are Driving Up Electricity Bills for Everyone
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44905595
The U.S. grid is so weak, the AI race may be over
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44910562
We will likely look back and see that much of the misguided AI investment was a headwind rather than a tailwind to things like EPS growth.
Though it seems that nowadays, much of that cost goes to taxes and fees, rather than electricity rate itself.
- discounted for more or less spend
- credits issued at X usage (which is only good at X specifically because its generally an expensive rate but it’s a marketing ploy for filter based searches).
- free or discounted night time or weekends
- etc.
If you can imagine they charge a certain way, there is likely someone trying it.