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Tennessee Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across Tennessee — updated daily.
Recent Tennessee data center news
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Elon Musk's xAI is polluting air in Memphis, using more gas turbines than permitted, advocacy group says
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI has installed 35 gas turbines at its data center in Memphis, Tennessee, which exceeds the 15 turbines it applied for permits to operate temporarily. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) alleges that xAI is operating without the necessary air permits and has contributed significantly to local air pollution, emitting between 1,200 and 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxides annually. Local residents have raised concerns about the impact of these emissions on their health, citing chronic respiratory issues and a desire for cleaner air.
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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.
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HD Hyundai and Hyosung Heavy Industries Avoid U.S. Anti-dumping Duties
The U.S. Department of Commerce finalized anti-dumping duties of up to 18% on domestic ultra-high voltage transformer manufacturers, excluding HD Hyundai Electric and Hyosung Heavy Industries, which have production plants in the U.S. The duties apply to exports between August 2022 and July 2023, with Iljin Electric facing the highest rate of 18%. HD Hyundai Electric plans to invest 185 billion won to expand its Alabama facility, while Hyosung Heavy Industries continues to respond to local demand through its Tennessee plant. The duties are lower than those imposed in the previous administration.
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Secretary of State Peter Kyle speech to Nvidia GTC 2025
The UK government has announced plans to create AI Growth Zones to foster investment in compute infrastructure across the country. This initiative aims to transform underused land from the industrial age into sites for powerful data centres, with one site potentially hosting close to 2 GW of power. Local leaders have responded positively, providing over two hundred proposals to support this initiative. This move is driven by the recognition that energy availability is critical for the AI era, and aims to leverage the UK’s scientific capabilities to enhance economic growth.
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Why Geothermal is the Hot Ticket to Low-Carbon Data Centers?
The article discusses the potential of geothermal energy for powering low-carbon data centers.
Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are expanding quickly, and data centers’ electricity demand is projected to rise significantly, reaching between 325 and 580 TWh by 2028.
The U.S. Department of Energy revealed that geothermal energy could avoid up to 516 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions by 2050.
Innovations in Enhanced Geothermal Systems are making it feasible for data centers to generate clean and reliable power, potentially supplying up to 15% of power in key data center hubs.
Major investments are being made by companies, including a partnership between Alphabet and NV Energy to secure 115 MW of geothermal power. -
Elon Musk Facility Polluting Predominately Black Neighborhoods In Memphis
A facility run by xAI, founded by Elon Musk, in South Memphis has been accused of polluting the air and threatening the health of local residents, particularly in predominantly Black communities. Residents launched a petition to close the facility due to claims of environmental racism and harmful air quality, which has contributed to higher asthma rates and a cancer rate four times the national average. The facility operates methane gas turbines without the necessary permits, releasing hazardous chemicals and worsening air pollution in the area. The energy demands for the facility are set to double, raising concerns from community members about its impact on public health.
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ABB to invest $120M in US manufacturing
Switzerland-based ABB invested $120 million to expand the production of its low-voltage electrification products in the U.S. The investment will increase the capacity of manufacturing facilities in Selmer, Tennessee, and Senatobia, Mississippi, to support the rising demand from data centers, buildings, and utilities. ABB has also announced plans to open a new 320,000-square-foot facility in Selmer and is investing an additional $40 million to double its facility in Senatobia by June 2026, creating a total of 250 new jobs in the area.
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Renewable energy could meet the intense appetites of AI data centers. But Entergy is looking to fossil fuels.
US-based Entergy Corp. proposed to build a $10 billion AI data center in north Louisiana, which would require energy equivalent to a third of all Louisiana households. The project promises to create 300 to 500 jobs with high salaries but is criticized for increasing dependence on fossil fuels, as most of its energy would come from new gas-fired generators. Meta, the owner of Facebook, pledges to purchase 1,500 megawatts of solar power to offset some emissions but faces criticism from environmental groups that advocate for more renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuel projects.
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We’re partnering on two projects to support watershed health in Tennessee.
US-based Google has partnered with the Cumberland River Compact and Bonneville Environmental Foundation on two projects to enhance watershed health in Tennessee. They have committed over $1.5 million to these initiatives, which include reforesting mined lands in the Cumberland River watershed to improve water quality and increase biodiversity. Additionally, they are improving soil health on 1,000 acres of farmland in the Red River watershed, focusing on supporting historically underserved farmers.
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Schneider Electric books strong 2024 revenue, earnings growth amid data center boom