Idaho Data Center Intel

Recent Idaho data center news

• Sep 10, 2025

  Climate Change Solutions - September 9, 2025

  The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) published a newsletter highlighting recent climate solutions, Congressional activity, briefings, and an upcoming AI-and-energy event.

  • Main announcement: EESI summarizes new content and events including articles on passive and sustainable cooling, grid resilience to heat waves, and a new Nature4Communities tool from U.S. Nature4Climate; it also hosted a briefing with the Ohio River Basin Alliance as part of its Resilient and Healthy Rivers series. Key figures and policy items cited include $57.3 billion in FY2026 discretionary funding in H.R.4553 (Energy and Water appropriations), a noted reduction of $766.4 million from 2025 levels, an authorizing proposal of $10 million to DOE under H.R.4490 (Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act), and $30 million annually directed to local officials under H.R.5154 (REACT Act).
  • Background and upcoming actions: The newsletter catalogs Congressional bills and hearings, media coverage, and events; it also announces an EESI briefing on AI and energy.
    • Event: “Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Energy and the Environment”
      • Date: Thursday, September 25
      • Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
      • Location: Rayburn House Office Building, Gold Room (Room 2168) and online (livecast/RSVP link provided)
    • Other details: Highlight notes available for the 28th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy Forum and EXPO; a cited statistic: every $1 invested in transit generates $5 in economic returns.
• Sep 10, 2025

  ORNL wins 20 R&D 100 Awards

  Oak Ridge National Laboratory announced it set a new lab record by winning 20 R&D 100 Awards in the current global competition (ORNL led 17 winners and co-developed three more, with 29 ORNL finalist technologies).

  • Main announcement & highlights: ORNL reports 20 R&D 100 Awards (17 led, 3 co-developed) across energy, materials, manufacturing, computing and emerging technologies; notable technology metrics include rotary transformer motor tested on a 200-kW BorgWarner motor (92–95% efficiency, up to 15% efficiency improvement, up to 25% higher power density, validated over 53,000 cycles ≈ 10 years), LMHE engine with 15% weight reduction and >10% fuel-efficiency improvement, heat pump water heater with 30% improvement in first-hour hot water delivery, and BIPHASICS CO2 capture claiming up to 46% less solvent regeneration energy and 30% lower CO2 capture cost vs MEA.
  • Background, partners and technical details: The announcement lists commercial and research partners and commercialization steps (e.g., The Sexton Corporation commercializing the underwater X-ray system; collaboration with BorgWarner, GM, Cummins, Soteria Battery Innovation Group, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and academic partners). It documents technology specifics such as HyPoCap (surface area >4,000 m2/g; 610 F/g capacitance), E-GRIMS operating at ~800°C with >90% energy savings and completing graphitization in ~2 hours, Next-Gen Polyiso R-value 8.3 per inch (30% better), Future Foundries reducing production cycles by up to 68%, and simulation tools (DR-Weld, ExaDigiT, PRESTO, Simurgh) with stated performance claims and deployment partners. Funding sources and managing organization (UT-Battelle for DOE Office of Science) are also listed.
• 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

  Nuclear specialist Oklo inks data center partnerships

• Apr 18, 2025

  In case you missed it: Six big solar stories in the news this week

  This summary highlights recent U.S. solar energy policy changes, investments, and market challenges.

  • The Texas Senate passed a bill imposing permit restrictions, fees, and regulatory requirements on solar and wind projects.
  • Apollo and Summit Ridge Energy launched a $400 million joint venture portfolio of solar assets in Illinois.
  • Solar cells remain subject to existing import tariffs, clarifying government policy on trade measures.
  • Sunnova, a residential solar company, plans to auction $17 million worth of energy storage equipment.
  • Idaho Power grid’s largest solar installation supports a data center and includes community workforce scholarships.
  • U.S. solar market experts expressed concerns beyond tariffs, including antidumping investigations and labor prevention acts.

  The developments indicate ongoing regulatory, investment, and market dynamics shaping the U.S. solar sector.

• Apr 15, 2025

  Largest solar installation in Idaho Power grid to support data center

  The Pleasant Valley Solar 1 project in Idaho, the largest operational solar facility in the state, was completed on March 2, 2025, and officially commissioned. It is a 200 MW solar project that supplies electricity to Meta’s data center and is part of Idaho’s expanding solar capacity, with a second 200 MW facility expected to be completed in 2026. The project development began in 2021, with groundbreaking in 2023. It involved various stakeholders, including rPlus Energies, Matrix Renewables, Sundt Renewables, EliTe Solar, and Idaho Power. The project was financed by a $283 million construction-to-term loan, a PTC transfer agreement, and supported local educational initiatives.

• Apr 7, 2025

  Request for Information on Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure on DOE Lands

  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to explore opportunities for AI infrastructure development on its lands. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance AI capabilities in the U.S. and maintain leadership in the field. The RFI targets industry input on potential development approaches and operational models for AI data centers at select DOE sites, aiming for operational commencement by the end of 2027. Responses to this RFI are due by May 7, 2025.

• Apr 1, 2025

  Los centros de datos de Meta obtendrán energía de un proyecto solar de 321 MW en Texas

  Avangrid, a subsidiary of Iberdrola, has launched its True North solar project in Texas, which has a capacity of 321 MW and spans 771 acres in Falls County. The project, constructed with an investment of $369 million, will support Meta’s data center operations in Texas and is expected to contribute over $40 million in property taxes over its lifetime. The project has already created approximately 300 construction jobs and will help increase the renewable energy capacity in the region.

• Mar 31, 2025

  Los centros de datos de Meta obtendrán energía de un proyecto solar de 321 MW en Texas

  Avangrid, a subsidiary of Iberdrola, announced the operation of its largest solar project, True North, in Texas. The 321 MW solar project spans 771 acres in Falls County and will support Meta’s data center operations in Texas. The project represents an investment of $369 million and is expected to contribute over $40 million in property taxes over its lifetime. True North is the seventh project by Avangrid in Texas, contributing to nearly 1.6 GW of combined capacity. Avangrid has over $2 billion of direct investment in Texas and created around 300 jobs during peak construction.

• Mar 28, 2025

  Meta’s data centers to procure energy from 321 MW solar project in Texas

  Avangrid, part of the Iberdrola Group, announced the operational launch of the 321 MW True North solar project in Falls County, Texas. This project occupies 1,907 acres and supports Meta’s data center operations. The commercial operation began in the first quarter of 2025, earlier than expected. Avangrid invested $369 million in this project, which is expected to generate over $40 million in property taxes over its lifespan.