Online Webinar, May 14th, 16:00-17:00 GMT / 12:00 - 13:00 EDT
The Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network (IACN) and Women in Renewable Energy Canada (WiRE) invite you to a a webinar about the rapid development of data centre infrastructure and of the role which the Arctic and its bountiful energy potential has to play in our digital future.
The Arctic’s naturally cold climate and abundant renewable energy sources offer enticing opportunities for the efficient and sustainable operation data centres, which have seen a surge under the rapid development of AI technology.
This webinar delves into the complexities of this emerging trend, examining both the opportunities and challenges of establishing data centres in the Arctic’s remote and ecologically sensitive landscape. Beyond the environmental implications, we will also explore the economic prospects these developments may bring to Arctic communities. Be sure to join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving relationship between data infrastructure and clean energy in one of the world’s most sensitive environments.
Moderator: Arin Kaye - Research Leader at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
- Dr. Alexandra Leeper - Co-Founder of Hringvarmi
- Bjørn Rønning - CEO, Norwegian Data Center Industry
- Albertína Elíasdóttir, Managing Director at the Association of Municipalities of Northeast Iceland (SSNE)
- Dr. Alexandra Middleton, Postdoctoral Researcher and Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholar (2024-2026)
Key Topics to Be Explored:
- The practical and ecological benefits of Arctic-located data centres.
- Balancing sustainability with the environmental and social impacts of Arctic industrialization.
- The potential economic opportunities for Arctic communities and their associated risks.
- The long-term implications of relying on the Arctic for global data needs.