Virtual panel to discuss what data centres mean for northern Ont.

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre will host a free virtual panel on Sept. 3 to help residents, businesses, community leaders and decision-makers better understand the challenges and opportunities data centres present for northern Ontario communities. (File)

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre will host a free virtual panel on Sept. 3 to help residents, businesses, community leaders and decision-makers better understand the challenges and opportunities data centres present for northern Ontario communities.

“Data centres have become a fixture in conversations about economic development, AI, energy planning, digital infrastructure and community growth,” the centre said in a news release Aug. 31.

“This one-hour webinar will explore how different types of data centres vary in size, purpose, energy use, cooling needs, and environmental and community impacts. Panelists will also discuss why grid capacity, water, workforce and local infrastructure all influence where data centres can succeed, and what benefits, trade-offs and practical considerations communities should understand.”

Panelists will answer questions

Sandra Moore, the centre’s executive director, will moderate a panel of experts from centre that will include Taylor Trecroce, manager of business programs, Daniel Featherstone, who leads Fresh Water Research and Lake Huron North, and David Pickup, director of electricity at the Pembina Institute.

Panelists will respond to questions submitted in advance during registration. Attendees will also be able to submit questions during the session using the virtual chat.

“As an organization focused on driving innovation across the Algoma region, we’re hosting this conversation because data centres are far more varied than the single term suggests,” Moore said in the news release.

Data centres vary greatly in size, water and energy requirements, she said, and so their impacts also vary greatly.

“We want to give people a clearer picture of both the opportunities and the trade-offs, so that residents, businesses and decision-makers in our region are well-positioned to think through what this means for northern Ontario and for Canada as we move into an increasingly electrified and digital age,” Moore said.

The event takes place online from noon to 1 p.m. There is no cost.

Click here for more information or to register.