California Data Center Intel

Recent California data center news

• Aug 22, 2025

  Net zero needs AI — five actions to realize its promise

  Nature (author Amy Luers) argues that widespread AI deployment is needed to realise net zero by 2050 and outlines five actions to capture AI’s mitigation potential.

  • Main announcement/action: The article calls for targeted investment and deployment of AI for climate to accelerate decarbonization, citing that AI climate-technology raised US$6 billion in 2024, and urging focus on underfunded areas such as grid integration, materials discovery and carbon removal; it lists five priority actions to realise this potential.
  • Background and details: Key factual points include global temperature in 2024 exceeded 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, data centres ≈1.5% of global electricity (IEA), US data centres currently ~4.4% of US electricity and could reach 6.7–12% by 2028, and estimated mitigation potential of 1.4 GtCO2/yr by 2035 (IEA) or 3.2–5.4 GtCO2/yr by 2035 (Stern et al.); the article also documents local resource stresses (water, grid capacity) and technology examples (dynamic line ratings, AI-led materials discovery at MIT).
• Aug 4, 2025

  Slow contech adoption could stymie data center projects: report

  Revizto released a white paper warning that the construction industry risks failing to deliver data centers unless building methods and technology adoption accelerate.

  • Key findings and metrics:27% of global AEC professionals primarily use email, spreadsheets and PDFs; global data center capex expected to surpass $1 trillion annually by 2029 (Dell’Oro Group); tech giants (Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta) expected to spend over $300 billion this year on data centers and compute; some projects now move from concept to full design in as little as 10 weeks. (These are confirmed findings from Revizto and Dell’Oro Group.)
  • Confirmed industry responses and actions: Contractors are engaging in preconstruction earlier (DPR’s John Arcello — “Preconstruction services and capabilities have become a true differentiator” and “Early engagement is critical to stay on track”); increased use of prefabrication and offsite fabrication for remote sites; cost forecasting adaptation in response to newly adopted tariffs (Caddell’s Ike Keene — “The newly adopted tariffs have become a new variable in cost control”).
• Aug 4, 2025

  Potential Energy: Is BESS the Answer to Data Centers’ Gridlocked Future?

  De Gaulle Fleurance hosted a webinar on the evolving role of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Europe’s decarbonization efforts.

  • Confirmed facts & project data: The webinar featured legal and energy experts from France, Belgium, Poland, and the UK; RTE projects renewable output could reach 320 TWh by 2035; battery capacity grew from <50 MW to 1.07 GW in five years, with >7 GW of projects holding grid access rights; the EU added 11.9 GW of BESS last year and the U.S. reported a 34% storage increase as of March 2024; identified vendors include ZincFive, Schneider Electric, Eaton, EPC Power, and Vertiv; U.S. states with SGIPs: California, New York, Maryland, New Jersey and other supportive states include Virginia, Oregon, Iowa, Texas.
  • Costs, policies & planned initiatives: Reported average BESS cost $400–$600 per kWh (Exenell); U.S. is on track to install ~15 GW in 2025 (~25% increase over 2024) (projection); NESO’s connections reform is expected/hopecasting to unlock £40 billion ($53 billion) per year (anticipated); regulatory milestones cited include FERC Order No. 841 (2020) allowing batteries in wholesale markets and EU measures like VAT exemptions and tariff waivers; distinctions noted between confirmed deployments (installed GW) and planned/projection figures (15 GW in 2025, NESO investment expectations).
• Jul 31, 2025

  Bloom Energy Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

  Bloom Energy Corporation announced its financial results for Q2 2025, reporting record revenue and profitability, and plans to double factory capacity by end of 2026.

  • Q2 2025 revenue of $401.2 million, a 19.5% increase year-over-year; 6th consecutive quarter of services profitability; collaboration with Oracle announced to power AI data centers; reaffirmed 2025 revenue guidance of $1.65B-$1.85B and non-GAAP operating income guidance of $135M-$165M.
  • Plans to expand factory capacity from 1GW to 2GW by end of 2026; deployed 1.5 GW of low-carbon power globally; financials include GAAP and non-GAAP metrics with detailed reconciliations; conference call held July 31, 2025.
• Jul 31, 2025

  Why Your Electricity Bill Is So High

  The NRDC article explains how rising electricity bills in the U.S. are driven by aging fossil fuel power plants, policy decisions favoring costly and inefficient energy sources, and the growing electricity demand from AI and data centers.

  • Key facts: The Plant Vogtle nuclear project in Georgia cost $35 billion, $17 billion over budget, causing a 24% rate increase for customers; PJM grid delays in connecting 286 GW of renewables led to a 600% price increase affecting 67 million people; the Inflation Reduction Act had supported renewables but recent federal policies are rolling back incentives and promoting fossil fuels.
  • Confirmed impacts: Electricity prices rose 13% nationally from 2022 to 2025; AI and data centers could consume 5-9% of U.S. electricity by 2030; repeal of clean energy incentives may increase household energy costs by up to $430 annually by 2035.
• Jul 30, 2025

  Climate Change Solutions - July 29, 2025

  The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) newsletter highlights recent climate change solutions, legislative updates, and upcoming events.

  • Innovative technologies such as AI-driven disaster resilience tools by U.S. National Laboratories and upgraded air filters to reduce wildfire smoke injuries are featured.
  • Legislative progress includes the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act passed by the House, the La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act advancing with job creation and solar capacity details, and the Fire Ready Nation Act advancing in the Senate to enhance wildfire forecasting.
  • Upcoming briefings focus on Ohio River restoration and the intersection of AI and climate policy.
  • The newsletter also provides links to recordings of the 28th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and related policy forums.
  • EESI President Daniel Bresette is quoted on energy and AI topics; contact details and social media links for EESI are provided.
• Jul 29, 2025

  What is a data center?

  McKinsey has announced a detailed analysis and outlook on the rapid growth and investment needs of data centers driven by AI workloads.

  • $6.7 trillion global investment in data centers is projected by 2030, with 70% driven by AI workloads; AI-ready data centers require new infrastructure including power, cooling, and electrical systems.
  • Regional challenges include power supply constraints in the US and Europe, labor shortages, and sustainability demands; opportunities exist for investors, real estate firms, and telecom operators to support data center expansion and clean energy integration.
• Jul 24, 2025

  How AI is impacting the adoption cycles of hydrogen and fuel cells

  The article announces the growing role of hydrogen fuel cells as a clean, reliable, and scalable power solution for AI infrastructure.

  • Hydrogen fuel cells provide zero-emission, grid-independent power and can flexibly support data centers facing grid capacity constraints, with deployments by companies like Microsoft, Equinix, and Google.
  • Renewable hydrogen production costs have dropped over 60% since 2010, supported by policies such as the US Inflation Reduction Act and hydrogen roadmaps in Europe and Asia, enabling broader adoption in AI data centers and hybrid energy models.
• Jul 24, 2025

  Oracle and Bloom Energy Collaborate to Deliver Power to Data Centers at the Speed of AI

  Bloom Energy announced a collaboration with Oracle to deploy fuel cell technology at select Oracle Cloud Infrastructure data centers in the U.S., delivering onsite power within 90 days to support AI workloads.

  • Bloom Energy’s fuel cells will provide clean, reliable, and cost-efficient power to Oracle’s AI data centers, supporting rapid deployment and scalability.
  • The technology contributes to Oracle’s sustainable energy use by producing power with virtually no air pollution and no water use, aligning with Oracle’s growth strategy for AI infrastructure.
• Jul 19, 2025

  United States $546 Billion Alternative Investment Manager Ares Management Corporation to Launch 2nd Sports, Media &amp; Entertainment Finance Fund, Launched Inaugural Ares Sports, Media &amp; Entertainment Finance Fund in 2020 &amp; Raised $3.7 Billion ($2.2 Billion in Equity) Investing in Senior Debt, Junior Debt, Preferred Equity &amp; Minority Equity, Investments Include in Atlético de Madrid, San Diego Padres, McLaren Racing &amp; Inter Miami CF

  Ares Management Corporation has announced the launch of several major investment funds, including a 2nd Sports, Media & Entertainment Finance Fund, a $2.4 billion Japan data center development fund, and the growth of its Ares Private Markets Fund to $3 billion AUM.

  • Ares launched a $2.4 billion Japan data center fund (Ares Japan DC Partners I LP) in June 2025, with $1.3 billion invested by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and participation from Singapore-based GLP. The fund will develop three data center campuses in Greater Tokyo, delivering nearly 240MW of IT load, with a focus on sustainability standards and AI/cloud computing demand.
  • Ares Private Markets Fund reached $3 billion AUM in May 2025 after three years, investing in private equity fund stakes mainly in North America and Europe, distributed via Ares Wealth Management Solutions with 150 professionals worldwide. The inaugural Ares Sports, Media & Entertainment Finance Fund (2020) raised $3.7 billion ($2.2 billion equity) and invested in entities such as Atlético de Madrid, San Diego Padres, McLaren Racing, and Inter Miami CF.