5 Notable Data Center Links - Aug 30
PJM Plans a "Fast Track," Data Centers and Railroads, Hydrogen Generators,
Here are five notable links from the data center sector. This isn’t an exhaustive look at last week’s news links - there are other good sources for that.
Instead, I’ve curated 5 links that I find particularly interesting, with my commentary on why they merit your attention. Sound interesting? Subscribe and get them each week.
5 Notable Links
PJM Launches Fast-Track Process for Data Centers - The PJM Interconnection, which manages the power grid in the Northeastern US, has launched a fast-track stakeholder process to develop rules for interconnecting data centers and other large loads to its system, Utility Dive reports. PJM is following the lead of the Southwest Power Pool, which is developing rules that could offer data centers accelerated access to power if they participate in load flexibility programs. Both programs will require FERC approval, but represent a concerted effort to manage backlogs.
Data Centers Are Driving Green Energy Demand - Large Internet companies accounted for 43% of clean power purchase agreements (PPA) in 2024, according to Bloomberg NEF, the energy research service. This summary includes an interesting chart on the current and future development capacity for major data center players.
How AI Data Centers Could Save California’s High-Speed Rail - Fiber and data center development have some history in tracking railroad right-of-ways. Developers of a planned bullet train between Los Angeles and San Francisco hope to offset the loss of $4 billion in federal funding withAI infrastructure development on land and right-of-ways controlled by the project. “We’re getting contacted by Silicon Valley investors now asking, ‘Hey, can we move data centers into Fresno and plug into your power grid that’s renewable?’” said project CEO Ian Choudri.
Stack Infrastructure to Participate in Project Jupiter - Stack has signed onto a data center project in New Mexico that claims it will invest $165 billion to create a campus with a microgrid and on-site power. The project is led by BorderPlex Digital Assets, a development firm led by former Rackspace CEO Lanham Napier. It was initially announced in March as a $5 billion project, but recent updates have cited much larger numbers. And now Stack is on board. “With Project Jupiter, our responsibility is clear: to earn the trust of the community by building in a way that is transparent, accountable, and aligned with local priorities,” said Brian Cox, Chief Executive Officer, STACK Americas. You’ll hear more about this project in coming weeks as it approaches key approvals.
Hydrogen-Fueled Generators Chosen for Clean Backup for Data Centers - The Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers has begun megawatt-scale testing of INNIO Jenbacher generators running on 100% hydrogen at anINNIO facility in Austria. The Net Zero Hub is a European consortium seeking to accelerate the transition to net-zero operations of the data center industry, and includes Google, Microsoft, Vertiv, Schneider Electric, Danfoss and Data4.
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