Google is embarking on a “first-of-its-kind partnership” with energy company Intersect Power and investment firm TPG Rise Climate to build data centers powered by renewable energy generated on-site. The $20 billion initiative aims to develop an unspecified number of industrial parks across the US, with the first one partially operational by 2026 and completed by 2027.
The move is part of a growing trend among tech companies to find clean sources of electricity for their energy-hungry AI data centers. However, the current US electricity mix remains dominated by fossil fuels, leading to increased pollution when new data centers are connected to the power grid.
By partnering with renewable energy sources, Google can bypass this problem and reduce its carbon footprint. “The scale of AI presents an opportunity to completely rethink data center development,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, global head of data center energy at Google.
Intersect Power CEO Sheldon Kimber emphasizes the importance of a “power-first mentality” in data center development, starting with renewable energy sources. This approach could lead to data centers being built in areas with high solar and wind resources, rather than traditional hubs like Virginia’s “data center alley.”
The shift could help alleviate concerns about climate change and air quality, as aging coal-fired power plants are extended by growing power demand from AI. With the first data center expected to be operational soon, Google is poised to make a significant impact on the industry’s approach to renewable energy.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/10/24317888/googles-data-center-solar-wind-renewable-energy-intersect-partnership