Do you have a mobile phone? Use online banking? You need a data centre for that

Opponents of digital infrastructure would have you believe ordinary citizens don’t benefit from its use and present data centres as energy-guzzling black boxes that are divorced from everyday life, writes TD Malcolm Byrne

Data centres are incredibly efficient. We have moved away from us all storing our data in our homes and businesses into highly optimised, advanced pieces of engineering. That creates massive economies of scale and ensures power is not wasted. 

Do you use a mobile phone? Have one or several email accounts? Internet or online banking? Purchase tickets or goods or services online? Listen to or watch a streaming service such as Spotify or Netflix? If you have had an X-ray or MRI scan? Student records? Interact with State agencies?

If you have done any of these things, and so many more, you will have availed of the services of a data centre. Indeed, if you are reading this opinion piece online, you are using a data centre.