I read with great interest the newspaper’s editorial on the proposed quantum computing center at the former U.S. Steel site in South Chicago as well as Abby Miller’s coverage .
I have a few questions about the project that I don’t feel have been addressed. What are the projected energy requirements for this project? Regarding water, will the center make use of water from the city’s system (there is an intake crib nearby), or will they build their own intake from Lake Michigan? What about the environmental (and legal) aspects of that piece of construction, if needed? Regardless of the source, how much water will be taken from the lake on a daily basis? From what I understand, a quantum computer, like artificial intelligence, needs to be kept not just cool but quite cold. How much water will it take to keep it all running? As for wastewater, will it be dumped back into the lake, recycled, or dumped into the municipal sewer system of an area that has seen numerous basements flooded during heavy rains? As for electricity, will the center have its own generating system, or will it pull power off the existing city power grid? If an internal system, what will be the means of generation, and again, what will the environmental impact on the area be? If the center pulls power off the grid, will the energy demands of the center drain power away from the rest of the area, which is largely residential? During a brutally hot summer, will parts of the city experience brownouts becau.