Google and Microsoft Pursue Greener Energy Solutions for AI

Google and Microsoft are set to “green” the energy acquisition process and cooling systems of data centers powering artificial intelligence.

Google has planned to invest $20 billion in developing carbon-free energy to support the operation of several gigawatt data centers. As part of the initiative, the company has signed an agreement with renewable energy developer Intersect Power and investment fund TPG Rise Climate.

The future energy parks will provide a reliable source of electricity, as aging US grids struggle to meet the demands of AI and the electrification of homes, vehicles, and factories.

Google’s plan involves creating data centers and new power sources based on a single substation within a state or regional grid. This is expected to expedite their commissioning process.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has begun to implement a new system in data centers that does not use additional water for cooling chips and servers. The company stated it will save over 125 million liters used by each data center annually.

The design uses a “closed loop” to recycle water. Liquid is added during construction and then circulates, eliminating the need for fresh supplies.

Freshwater will still be needed for workspaces such as bathrooms and kitchens.

The corporation spent over $50 billion on capital expenditures in the last fiscal year. Most of the funds went towards building data centers powering artificial intelligence. This year, the figure is expected to be surpassed.

Existing data centers will continue to use old technologies. The new system will appear in upcoming projects.

Back in July, Bernstein warned of a potential power shortage in the US due to AI.

Earlier, Bitwise expert Juan Leon noted that miners’ infrastructure and their access to cheap electricity could meet the growing demands of artificial intelligence.