Thermal imagery from space is providing a unique perspective on the heat output of high-load facilities, such as data centers, which are experiencing rapid growth due to increasing demand for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency mining. This surge in demand is putting a strain on power grids worldwide. A recent high-resolution thermal image released by UK-based thermal satellite operator SatVu shows the heat signatures of a Bitcoin-mining data center campus in Rockdale, Texas, which is home to the largest Bitcoin mine in the US.
The mine, operated by Riot Platforms, has an estimated power demand of 700 megawatts, equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 300,000 homes. The site has faced criticism for its high energy consumption and carbon footprint. According to Thomas Cobti, SatVu’s business development VP, thermal data provides an objective view of operational activity, which is essential for understanding the impact of data centers on the environment.
The International Energy Agency estimates that data centers used around 415 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, accounting for about 1.5% of global power consumption. The rising demand for artificial intelligence is accelerating the growth of the data center sector. Tech giants have been investing heavily in AI, driving up demand for power-hungry computing since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022.
Global investment in data center infrastructure is expected to continue rising this decade, with demand for AI and cloud capacity growing rapidly. According to a McKinsey estimate, over $7 trillion will be spent worldwide on data center infrastructure by 2030, with US demand growing at an annual rate of 20-25%. As of October 2025, nearly 9,000 data centers were operating worldwide, with the total expected to triple by 2030.
The rapid expansion of data centers has raised concerns among regulators and environmentalists, who are sounding the alarm over soaring electricity use, water consumption for cooling, land use, and broader environmental impact. Many countries hosting data centers are struggling to meet the rising power demand, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions to support the growth of the data center sector. As the demand for AI and cloud computing continues to grow, it is essential to monitor the environmental impact of data centers and develop strategies to mitigate their effects on the environment.
