ChatGPT generated panoramic dramatic conceptual graphic depicting data center racks above ground, connected to cooling loops extending deep underground, clearly illustrating the geothermal principle
The world is increasingly run by data centers — huge, anonymous buildings that gobble up electricity and belch heat like angry dragons. Each click, stream, or swipe piles up more data in racks upon racks of humming servers. Yet few people realize just how thirsty these data dragons really are. … [continued]
Bottom: Meta data center. Middle: Electrical substation for the data center. Top: Power lines and closeup of the substation. Eagle Mountain, Utah. February 6, 2025. Photos by Fritz Hasler
Utility companies in the US are scrambling to meet the demand for electricity by data centers. Demand response could help.
“Swift,” the supercomputer purchased by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office, is located in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) HPC Data Center in the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF). (Photo by Werner Slocum / NREL)
Growth in data centers has reached a fever pitch in many parts of America and is threatening to increase carbon emissions.
Researchers and innovators are developing new strategies for addressing data center demand and other new loads on the US electricity grid while minimizing infrastructure investments, and avoiding new fossil energy power plants.
Researchers and innovators are developing new strategies for addressing data center demand and other new loads on the US electricity grid while minimizing infrastructure investments, and avoiding new fossil energy power plants.
“Swift,” the supercomputer purchased by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office, is located in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) HPC Data Center in the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF). (Photo by Werner Slocum / NREL)
As US Data Centers Continue To Grow, Integrating Geothermal UTES Cooling Could Change the Game As the demand for U.S. data centers grows with the expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud services, and big data analytics, so do the energy loads these centers require. By some estimates, data center energy demands … [continued]
The Energy Department is exploring underground, long duration energy storage systems to manage energy demand from the nation's growing fleet of data centers.
New underground, long duration thermal energy storage systems can help manage skyrocketing energy demand from of data centers in the US.
The sun has yet to set on wind and solar development in Oklahoma, despite looming concerns over a statewide ban. Image courtesy of Leeward Renewable Energy.
The sun has yet to set on wind and solar development in Oklahoma, despite looming concerns over a statewide ban.
Recently, a colleague shared an article about the future of data centers and the electricity that powers them. With rising energy use for artificial intelligence, the supply of something as basic as electrical power can’t provide enough energy for every AI scheme in planning, leaving tech companies looking for other … [continued]
Power harmonics close to data centers are more likely to depart from national standards, new research shows. The question is why.
Space solar technology has created the conditions for launching data centers into orbit, taking advantage of ultra-low energy costs and opportunities for expansion.
