California Data Center Intel

Recent California data center news

• May 6, 2026

  Power Drives the AI Data Center Boom, but Connectivity Cannot be Overlooked

  An analysis argues that data center operators must prioritize power and optical connectivity for AI.

  • Main point: The piece highlights power and optical connectivity as essential prerequisites for AI, citing Omdia’s forecast that global IT load power capacity will reach 314 GW by 2030 and noting the emergence of the “scale across“ concept (coined in 2025 by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang) which requires 800 Gbps+, low-latency optical links to operate multi-site AI clusters and gigawatt-scale training campuses.
  • Background/details: The article is commentary/analysis (not a formal project announcement). It documents current industry pressures: typical large colocation sites support 50–100 MW, hyperscaler clusters are being planned at gigawatt scale, regional power supply wait times of 2–5 years, and a shift toward remote rural builds (examples: Lancaster PA; Memphis; Columbus, Ohio; rural Georgia; New Mexico; Wyoming) that require long-haul fiber links sometimes up to ~1,000 km. It references trade shows and forums including Metro Connect (Florida), Nvidia’s GTC, OFC, and the Optica Executive Forum.
• May 6, 2026

  Drive for energy security creates a more complex landscape for businesses

  A&O Shearman publishes an analytical briefing on how the global drive for energy security is reshaping policy, supply chains, and corporate strategy.

  • Main announcement: The paper outlines that governments are prioritizing energy security through a mix of domestic fossil fuel expansion, accelerated renewables deployment, nuclear buildouts (including SMRs), grid reform, and strategic equity stakes in mineral companies; concrete examples include Japan’s Seventh Basic Energy Plan (approved Feb 2025), China’s Energy Law (in force 2025), the IEA-coordinated release of more than 400 million barrels from strategic stocks, and the Czech Republic’s EUR17 billion nuclear expansion at Dukovany.
  • Context and details: The briefing documents policy shifts and implementation measures such as the UK’s “first-ready-first-connected” grid policy and aim to build double the transmission capacity by 2030, the U.S. executive orders to “increase domestic energy” (listing oil, gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels and nuclear) and repeal of the “endangerment finding”, and the IEA finding that data centers consumed ≈1.5% of global electricity in 2024, which will drive future demand growth to 2030.
• May 6, 2026

  Climate Change Solutions - May 5, 2026

  EESI will host a briefing with American Rivers on May 7 about U.S. water infrastructure challenges and solutions.

  • Briefing with American Rivers on May 7: EESI and American Rivers will hold a briefing titled Policies and Financing Solutions to Modernize U.S. Water Infrastructure on Thursday, May 7, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., at the Rayburn House Office Building Gold Room (Room 2168) and online; agenda includes U.S. water infrastructure challenges, solutions to close the investment gap, and discussion of the January 2026 Potomac River sewer collapse that discharged 200 million gallons of raw sewage.

    • Location: Rayburn House Office Building Gold Room (Room 2168)
    • Time & Date: Thursday, May 7, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    • RSVP: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/050726water#rsvp

  • Newsletter content and related items: The issue highlights articles on data center waste heat reuse, PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in data center components, a breakdown of 65 climate, energy, and environment hearings on the Hill from March–April 2026, and a podcast interview about environmental justice research in Accra, Ghana. It also notes internship applications open until May 17, 2026, and links to legislative actions such as the enactment of the Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R.7147) and passage of bills including the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R.7567).

• May 6, 2026

  The Hidden Cost Of Compute

  Google has begun constructing a $15 Bn AI data centre hub in Visakhapatnam.

  • Main announcement/action:Google is building a $15 Bn AI data centre hub in Visakhapatnam to deliver large-scale compute and connectivity; Microsoft has committed $3 Bn to expand cloud and AI infrastructure in India, while major operators including AWS, AdaniConneX, STT GDC, and CtrlS are adding capacity across Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. The article synthesises these industry commitments and market projections rather than announcing a single new policy.
  • Background and details: India’s data centre market was valued at ₹9.33 Lakh Cr (2025) and is projected to reach ₹20.53 Lakh Cr by 2030; a CEEW study reports data centres used ~0.5% of India’s electricity in 2025 and 150 Bn litres of water annually (both metrics forecast to more than double by 2030). The piece also notes state-level incentives, preferential power arrangements, and Maharashtra’s AI policy target of ₹10,000 Cr in investments (policy timelines through 2031).
• May 6, 2026

  UC Names Katherine Yelick to Head Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  The University of California Board of Regents approved Katherine Yelick as the next director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, effective July 1.

  • Appointment details: The Board of Regents approved Yelick following a national search and on the recommendation of UC President James Milliken; her appointment begins July 1, and she will replace departing director Mike Witherell.
  • Background and credentials: Yelick is currently Vice Chancellor for Research and Robert S. Pepper Distinguished Professor at UC Berkeley, served as NERSC director (2008–2012), led Berkeley Lab’s Computing Sciences Area (2010–2019), oversaw construction of Shyh Wang Hall (opened 2015), and played lead roles in the Exascale Computing Initiative (2016–2024) and DOE AI/big-data strategy work.
• May 5, 2026

  New Study Highlights Public Health Impacts of Gas Turbine-Powered Data Centers

  Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) released findings from a commissioned EmPower Analytics Group study showing that permitted emissions from the Vantage VA2 data center’s onsite natural-gas turbines could cause substantial health damages.

  • Key findings and details: The PEC-commissioned EmPower study estimates $53M–$99M per year in health-related damages from permitted emissions at Vantage VA2 (up to $265M–$495M over five years), and 3.4–6.5 additional premature deaths annually; the Vantage VA2 facility uses eight natural-gas simple-cycle turbines and holds a permit for 51 diesel backup generators, and its emissions are estimated to reach more than 2.5 million people in the Washington, D.C. metro region.
  • Context and other facts: PEC published the study results and a public response after the Virginia DEQ released a critique focused on regulatory compliance; PEC notes DEQ is now setting up more air monitors and a Data Center Air Monitoring Project webpage. PEC also flags additional proposed onsite turbine projects: Digital Dulles (23 turbines proposed) and Remington Technology Park (13 turbines proposed) and highlights that >13,000 diesel generators are permitted across Virginia.
• May 5, 2026

  Arista Networks, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results

  Arista Networks, Inc. announced its first quarter 2026 financial results and introduced XPO high-density liquid-cooled pluggable optics.

  • Main announcement: Arista reported Revenue of $2.709 billion for Q1 2026 (35.1% YoY growth) and cash flow from operations of $1.69 billion, and announced XPO high-density liquid-cooled pluggable optics designed to reduce networking racks by up to 75% and save up to 44% of floor space versus traditional pluggable optics.
  • Background and guidance: The company provided Q2 2026 guidance of ~$2.8 billion revenue, non-GAAP operating margin of 46–47%, and non-GAAP diluted net income per share of ~ $0.88; management quoted Jayshree Ullal and CFO Chantelle Breithaupt on execution and results. Conference call was scheduled for May 5, 2026 at 1:30 PM Pacific Time (US dial-in and webcast available).
• May 5, 2026

  Meta’s Space Solar Bet Spotlights AI Power Gap

  Meta has announced partnerships with Overview Energy and Noon Energy to pursue space-based solar power (SBSP) and long-duration energy storage as long-term capacity solutions, with initial orbital demonstrations targeted for 2028.

  • Main announcement and timing: Meta is pursuing SBSP and long-duration storage via deals with Overview Energy and Noon Energy, targeting demonstrations planned for 2028; these efforts are described as a long-term capacity bet rather than an immediate fix for AI-driven power demand.
  • Background and context: Near-term constraints include US grid interconnection delays (~5 years on average per LBNL) and transmission limits; Meta already has >30 GW of contracted renewable energy and 7.7 GW of nuclear capacity through partnerships with Constellation Energy, TerraPower, Oklo, and Vistra, while experts note SBSP remains largely theoretical and multiyear due to technical, efficiency, and deployment cost challenges.
• May 5, 2026

  ESS Inc partners with Alsym Energy for 8.5GWh of US sodium-ion BESS cells

  ESS Tech Inc has signed a letter of intent for a strategic partnership with Alsym Energy to add Na‑ion capacity to its portfolio.

  • Main announcement (LOI, 30 April): ESS Tech has signed a letter of intent (announced 30 April) with US sodium‑ion startup Alsym Energy under which ESS will add 8.5GWh of Alsym’s Na‑ion cells and modules and enter the short- and medium‑duration BESS segment alongside its existing long‑duration iron‑flow offering.
  • Background and context:ESS reported FY2025 net loss of US$63.4 million (an improvement of US$22.8 million vs FY2024); the company is pivoting to its Energy Base (12–14 hour LDES) product, acquired VoltStorage GmbH IP in February, and the move complements industry activity such as CATL–HyperStrong’s three‑year, 60GWh Na‑ion order; Alsym launched its Na‑Series (non‑flammable, non‑toxic) last October.
• May 5, 2026

  New Data Center Developments: May 2026

  Data Center Knowledge published a monthly roundup highlighting global data center project announcements, regulatory moves, and investment commitments driven by hyperscale AI demand.

  • Main announcement: The roundup catalogs multiple concrete project actions including Aligned Data Centers’ Project Caprock (540 MW, 313-acre campus in Hale County, Texas; initial delivery Q1 2027), EdgeCore’s completion of $1.5 billion in financing for two Northern Virginia hyperscale centers, and Yondr Group energizing a 27 MW Toronto facility expected in mid-2026. It also notes major investment commitments such as Digital Realty’s near S$7 billion Singapore plan (S$4.3 billion for new data centers) and AWS increasing planned investment in Mississippi to $25 billion.
  • Context and details: The piece outlines parallel regulatory updates in U.S. states (Maine vetoed a moratorium; Wisconsin revised We Energies tariff rules; North Carolina advanced legislation to require hyperscalers to cover infrastructure costs), workforce and partnership initiatives (Equinix Foundation with ODATA, Cisco, Vertiv launching training in Brazil, cohorts mid-2026), and other regional projects and financings (TikTok €1 billion Finland site; Ark Data Centres >€600 million Barcelona project; Equinix land purchases in South Africa totaling ZAR 890 million).