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California Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across California — updated daily.
California · Construction & power moves · 1
full tracker →Land, power, and interconnection moves across California — each traced to primary filings.
Top JUST IN — California
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CAISO posts Large Loads Initiative draft final proposal and tariff language for comment (Large Loads Initiative)
Source: California ISO · Sep 24, 2026CAISO says its Large Loads Initiative draft final proposal and draft tariff language would add rules for large loads, including “Procedures to improve large load information visibility,” a “Framework to prevent cost-shifting,” and a “Framework for a flexible interim load interconnection (FILI) service to expedite interconnection.” CAISO also says the proposal adds detail on “operational requirements for the FILI framework” and “interactions between load interconnection studies and the transmission planning process,” while deferring a permanent flexible load interconnection option to future stakeholder processes.
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
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CAISO schedules Large Loads Initiative stakeholder meeting and draft final proposal comment period
Source: California ISO · Sep 10, 2026According to CAISO, the ISO will host a hybrid stakeholder meeting on Oct. 1, 2026 for the Large Loads Initiative, post a draft final proposal on Sep. 24, 2026, and open comments due by Oct. 15, 2026. CAISO also says stakeholders will review the proposal before it goes to the Board of Governors and before the ISO files tariff language with FERC, indicating an active regulatory process for large loads in California.
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
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Large Loads Initiative: Additional discussion of operational and technical requirements, call on 8/24/26
Source: California ISO · Aug 17, 2026California ISO said it scheduled an additional stakeholder meeting for the Large Loads Initiative “to provide additional time, if needed, to discuss the operational and technical requirements” in the Large Loads Straw Proposal and Large Loads Technical Requirements Straw Proposal, with topics including “Operational requirements” and “Technical requirements” (California ISO, Aug. 17, 2026). The notice also says the Aug. 24 meeting was contingent and ultimately unnecessary because “We were able to cover all of the material and will no longer need the meeting on 8/24.”
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
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Large Loads Initiative: Straw proposal posted, meeting on 8/19/26
Source: California ISO · Aug 12, 2026California ISO says that, following the FERC “June 18, 2026, Order to Show Cause,” its Large Loads Initiative is the “primary forum” for possible “tariff, policy, and process enhancements” affecting large-load integration on the ISO-controlled grid, including “planning, interconnection, transmission service, reliability, and operational considerations.” CAISO also says the straw proposal will address “Cost Shifting Risk Among Transmission Customers,” “Co-Location Arrangements and Load with Behind the Meter Generation,” and “Interconnection Customers Serving Electrically Proximate Large Load and Co-Located Load.”
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
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Large Loads Considerations: Comment deadline on information session moved to 2/25/26
Source: California ISO · Feb 12, 2026California ISO said it “has moved the deadline for written comments on the Large Load Considerations issue paper and Feb. 5 meeting discussion to Feb. 25, 2026,” and asked stakeholders to submit comments by end of day Feb. 25, 2026. The notice also says the “issue paper, presentation, and meeting recording are available” on CAISO’s Large Load webpage.
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
Recent California data center news
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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.
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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.
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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.
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United States $546 Billion Alternative Investment Manager Ares Management Corporation to Launch 2nd Sports, Media & Entertainment Finance Fund, Launched Inaugural Ares Sports, Media & Entertainment Finance Fund in 2020 & Raised $3.7 Billion ($2.2 Billion in Equity) Investing in Senior Debt, Junior Debt, Preferred Equity & Minority Equity, Investments Include in Atlético de Madrid, San Diego Padres, McLaren Racing & 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.
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Is your Data Center ready for the ban on SF6 MV switchgear in the EU?
The European Union has announced a ban on new SF6-based medium-voltage (MV) switchgear up to 24kV, effective January 1, 2026, as part of the F-gas Regulation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power infrastructure.
- Data center electricity demand in Europe is projected to rise from 100 TWh in 2022 to 150 TWh by 2026, driven by digitalization and AI, necessitating new power generation and infrastructure.
- SF6-free MV switchgear, such as Schneider Electric’s AirSeT range, is now available and deployed globally (over 40,000 units), offering lower lifecycle costs (20-30% savings) and eliminating high end-of-life recycling costs (10-20% of initial equipment cost), supporting compliance and sustainability goals.
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Climate Change Solutions - July 15, 2025
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) recaps recent U.S. climate and energy policy developments, including new legislation, issue briefs, and upcoming events.
- Reconciliation package (P.L. 119-21) signed into law on July 4, 2025, ending or curtailing tax incentives for energy efficiency, renewables, and electric vehicles.
- Congressional committees advanced bills on algal bloom mitigation, precision agriculture, coastal data, and wildfire resilience; EESI published briefs on critical minerals, data center water use, and recapped 60 climate-related hearings from May-June 2025.
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Ampt string optimizers power data center solar + storage project
Ampt has announced the deployment of its string optimizers for a 65-MW solar project in California’s CAISO region, supporting AI data center operations and critical facilities.
- Hybrid solar + storage system: 65-MW PV plant with 25-MW/100-MWh (4-hour) DC-coupled battery storage, leveraging machine learning for grid optimization.
- Economic and climate impact: Projected to generate tens of millions of dollars for the local economy and support California’s 100% carbon-free energy goal by 2045.
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Innovation Crossroads welcomes six entrepreneurs for Cohort 2025
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) announced the 2025 Innovation Crossroads cohort, comprising six entrepreneurs focused on energy and emerging technologies.
- The two-year fellowship program provides startup founders with access to ORNL’s scientific resources, mentorship, and a substantial grant, supported by DOE offices and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The 2025 cohort includes ventures addressing wildfire prevention, advanced materials coatings, scalable carbon fiber production, aluminum-air battery technology, algae-based biocomposites, and efficient data center cooling.
- Cohort members will also complete the Spark Cleantech Accelerator at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The program aims to accelerate commercialization of innovative energy technologies and strengthen U.S. competitiveness.
This initiative advances energy innovation by integrating national lab resources with entrepreneurial expertise to foster sustainable technology development and regional economic growth.
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Bloom Energy to Announce Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results on July 31, 2025
Bloom Energy Corporation announced it will release its second quarter 2025 financial results on July 31, 2025 after market close and will host a management conference call on the same day.
Main announcement and event details:
- Release date: July 31, 2025 (after market close)
- Conference call / Webcast:2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, Duration: 60 minutes
- Live Dial-in (U.S.): 1.888.596.4144 (toll-free) | 1.646.968.2525
- Conference ID:5744085
- Live webcast:https://investor.bloomenergy.com/
- Telephonic replay (one week): Dial in 1 800 770 2030 (toll-free) | 1 (609) 800-9909 — Passcode: 5744085
- Webcast replay (one year): Replay hosted in the Investors section at https://investor.bloomenergy.com/
Background and company details:
- Company: Bloom Energy Corporation, headquartered in Silicon Valley
- Technology / Customers: Fuel cell systems for onsite electricity generation serving Fortune 500 companies, including data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, large utilities, and other commercial & industrial sectors
- Operational footprint:1.5 GW of low-carbon power deployed across more than 1,200 installations globally
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Data Centers and Water Consumption
Miguel Yañez-Barnuevo reports that rapid expansion of data centers — especially AI-focused facilities — is increasing freshwater withdrawals and putting nearby communities and water systems at risk.
- Main announcement: Data center water demand is rising with energy and AI growth: individual large facilities can use up to 5 million gallons per day (≈1.8 billion gallons per year), U.S. data centers numbered 5,426 and consumed 163.7 billion gallons annually (2021); a federal report estimated ~211 billion gallons indirect water consumption from electricity in 2023. The article documents sources of water demand (on-site cooling, power-plant water use, chip manufacturing) and links this rise to higher chip densities and AI workloads.
- Background and technical details: The piece explains water accounting via WUE (Water Usage Effectiveness) (average ~1.9 liters/kWh; “0” is ideal), notes ~80% of withdrawn water typically evaporates, and describes cooling options (closed-loop, free cooling, air cooling, direct-to-chip and immersion cooling) and supply options (recycled/gray water vs. blue freshwater). It cites regional impacts (Northern Virginia: ~300 data centers; Loudoun County used ~900 million gallons in 2023) and sector-wide forecasts (data centers could use up to 1,050 TWh of electricity by 2030).