AI’s energy appetite, datacenter emissions and the tech helping grids and climate models cope.
204 articles
A Basel Action Network report warns that AI-related e-waste has been significantly underestimated. By 2050, discarded AI infrastructure could fill 23 million shipping containers, including servers and supporting data-center equipment.
The Verge · 3d ago
Beijing is making green electricity usage a key metric for new data centre projects to align AI expansion with national carbon goals. The action plan was jointly released by the National Energy Administration, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and National Data Administration.
SCMP Technology · 133d ago
Spain has drafted a decree requiring new data centres to obtain at least 80% of their electricity from renewable sources every hour. Facilities that fail to meet the requirement could lose their grid connection.
The Next Web (TNW) · 24d ago
Microsoft's goal to be carbon negative by 2030 is under pressure as emissions jumped 25% in a single year. The surge is directly attributed to the massive energy demands of AI data centers.
The Next Web (TNW) · 67d ago
Google reported a 37% increase in electricity consumption due to AI infrastructure expansion, yet managed to reduce operational carbon emissions by 2%. The company is now focusing on an 'AI Stack' strategy to optimize energy efficiency across hardware, software, and data center operations.
IT之家 · 76d ago
Valar Atomics successfully powered an Nvidia Blackwell AI chip using its Ward 250 advanced nuclear reactor. This milestone marks the first time a next-generation reactor has directly supported AI hardware in the United States.
Bloomberg Technology · 79d ago
The United Nations is calling on AI companies to transparently disclose the carbon, water, and land usage of their systems. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for firms to take responsibility for the environmental footprint of their data centers and supply chains.
The Next Web (TNW) · 88d ago
Researchers from Peking University and Alibaba DAMO Academy used AI to conduct the first comprehensive survey of wind and solar power in China. The study was published in the journal 'Nature'.
量子位 · 121d ago
Microsoft is reportedly weighing a retreat from its 2030 carbon-free energy pledge as AI-driven electricity demands soar. The surging power needs for AI data centers are challenging the company's ambitious sustainability goals.
GeekWire · 135d ago
UK government raised AI datacentre carbon emissions estimate by over 100 times. New data projects up to 123m tonnes CO₂ over 10 years, equivalent to 2.7 million people.
The Guardian Technology · 148d ago
AI challenges tech giants' zero-carbon pledges through real-world physical limits. Surging electricity, water use, grid bottlenecks, and local pushback are eroding green narratives.
钛媒体 · 160d ago
US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley sent a letter to the Energy Information Agency on Thursday, demanding mandatory annual electricity usage disclosures for data centers. This bipartisan effort targets the opaque energy consumption of facilities powering AI and cloud computing.
Wired AI · 177d ago
A UK datacenter reduced AI infrastructure power draw by 40% in response to National Grid events during a five-day trial. The London GPU farm adjusted power without disrupting critical workloads.
The Register - AI/ML · 199d ago
Microsoft is trying to reassure employees that its AI data centers can create social benefits while reducing environmental harm. The company cites improved water efficiency, hardware recycling, and plans for up to 40 GW of additional renewable energy, amid growing community opposition.
IT之家 · 22d ago
Malaysia is introducing data centre rules intended to make the rapidly expanding sector more sustainable rather than restrict investment. Strong demand continues, with global occupancy at 97% and most capacity under construction already committed.
SCMP Technology · 26d ago
According to BloombergNEF, US data center electricity consumption is projected to surge to 20% of the national total by 2035. This represents a significant increase from the current 5.9% level, driven largely by the scaling of AI and cloud infrastructure.
Bloomberg Technology · 60d ago
Platinum Hydrogen Technology has raised millions in Pre-A funding to advance its hydrogen catalyst materials. Their new nanostructured catalysts significantly improve durability and reduce precious metal usage.
36氪 · 64d ago
Google announced its largest solar and battery energy storage procurement project in Arkansas. This initiative aims to support the massive power demands of their data centers, which are increasingly located near energy-intensive AI infrastructure.
cnBeta (Full RSS) · 66d ago
New research indicates that installing solar panels on re-wetted peatlands creates a 'novel ecosystem' that provides shade and cooling, benefiting biodiversity. This 'PaludiPV' approach offers a low-impact way to combine renewable energy generation with environmental restoration.
虎嗅 · 67d ago
Microsoft, Amazon, and Google report a 20% increase in collective carbon emissions over the past year. This rise is primarily attributed to the massive construction of datacentres required to support AI workloads.
The Guardian Technology · 70d ago
The Spanish government is allocating over €100 million to build and upgrade public charging stations, focusing on major transport corridors to address range anxiety and meet EU infrastructure requirements.
虎嗅 · 74d ago
German startup Proxima Fusion has secured €411 million in funding from investors including Google and RWE AG. The capital will support the development of a nuclear fusion plant, with operational goals set for the 2030s.
Bloomberg Technology · 74d ago
Moment Energy has launched its 'Megafactory 1' in Canada, focusing on repurposing retired EV batteries into commercial-grade battery energy storage systems (BESS). The facility utilizes proprietary BMS technology to ensure safety and compliance with UL standards.
虎嗅 · 75d ago
A KAIST study indicates that autonomous AI agents require significantly more energy than traditional AI models. This poses a major sustainability challenge for data centers and future AI infrastructure.
Digital Trends · 75d ago
China's CFETR project has successfully produced 100% domestic superconducting magnets. The project now aims to achieve its first nuclear fusion power generation by 2030.
Pandaily · 76d ago
A Meta data center construction site in Cheyenne, Wyoming, contaminated the local water system with rare Cupriavidus gilardii bacteria. The incident forced the city to suspend its reclaimed water system for months while cleanup operations were conducted.
IT之家 · 77d ago
Seattle-area startups Helion and Zap are racing to develop commercial fusion energy to meet the massive power demands of AI data centers. The industry is shifting toward smaller-scale reactors and hybrid nuclear strategies to hit a 2028 deployment target.
GeekWire · 79d ago
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has released a revised methodology for forestry carbon sinks to address low project registration rates. Key changes include simplified additionality requirements and expanded land eligibility.
虎嗅 · 79d ago
Google reported a 37% increase in electricity usage in 2025, primarily driven by the massive expansion of its AI data center infrastructure. The company is currently working to balance this rapid growth in energy demand with its long-term clean energy and sustainability commitments.
Ars Technica AI · 79d ago
Google is collaborating with UC San Diego to develop a server architecture that utilizes processors from discarded smartphones. This initiative aims to reduce electronic waste while providing a sustainable, low-carbon alternative for AI computing tasks.
cnBeta (Full RSS) · 79d ago