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Washington Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across Washington — updated daily.
Recent Washington data center news
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Data Center Hysteria: How the Power Industry Is Accommodating the Boom
US tech giants Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have made significant commitments to nuclear power for their data centers. Microsoft has signed a 20-year PPA with Constellation to restart the 835-MW Three Mile Island nuclear plant. Google has partnered with Kairos Power for a 500-MW fleet of SMRs by 2030, while Amazon and X-energy are collaborating on over 5 GW of nuclear projects by 2039, including a 320-MW project in Washington state and exploring a 300-MW SMR project with Dominion Energy in Virginia.
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Data center boom fuels demand for nuclear projects
Tech giants Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have partnered with nuclear power companies to develop small modular reactors and restart existing plants to power their data centers with clean energy by 2030.
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Amazon announces small modular reactor deals with Dominion, X-energy, Energy Northwest
Amazon partners with Dominion, X-energy, and Energy Northwest to expand U.S. small modular reactors.
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Sunrise brief: Solar-plus-storage dominating future U.S. power grid
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Interregional power transfer capability ranges from 1% to 92% across North America: NERC
NERC’s draft analysis reveals significant variance in interregional power transfer capability across North America, ranging from 1% to 92%, with highest capabilities in West Coast, Great Lakes, and Mid-Atlantic regions and lower in Mountain states, Southeast, and Northeast. A final report will be submitted to FERC by Dec. 2, 2023.
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Google taps ‘carbon-intelligent’ computing platform to help maintain grid reliability in power crises
Google leverages its carbon-intelligent computing platform to maintain grid reliability during power crises in Oregon, Nebraska, and the Southeastern U.S. The technology, developed in 2020, reduces power consumption and responds to local grid events. Other tech companies like Google are also exploring demand response initiatives to optimize energy use at data centers.
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Is Phoenix’s construction market hot? It depends on who you ask.
The construction market in Phoenix, Arizona, is thriving, particularly in data centers and semiconductor fabs. Companies like Intel and Google are investing billions in the area. Challenges include labor shortages and water availability. The industry benefits from stable weather and a business-friendly environment. Future growth is expected, despite some market fluctuations.
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Microsoft leans on renewable energy PPAs, energy efficiency in environmental efforts
Microsoft is progressing toward energy efficiency in data centers with a 1.12 PUE ratio and aims for a PUE of 1. It leverages wind and lithium-ion batteries at its Dublin data center, striving for LEED gold certification in all future centers. Microsoft embarked on a diesel-free initiative by 2030 and uses a 3-megawatt hydrogen fuel cell for backup power. It is updating its Redmond campus with renewable energy sources and all-electric kitchens, while reducing nonrenewable energy sources to 2.6% in 2022. The company also invested in carbon capture, with PPAs for over 13.5 GW of carbon-free energy.
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Is Phoenix’s construction market hot? Depends on who you ask.
Bechtel’s Denis Bacon praises Phoenix’s strong construction market, highlighted by projects like a $600 million Google data center in Mesa and $20 billion semiconductor fabs in Chandler. Stable weather attracts tech firms while low utility costs and business-friendly policies benefit corporations. Concerns include labor shortage and water availability.
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Microsoft leans on PPAs, energy efficiency, water recycling in environmental efforts
Microsoft aims for a power usage effectiveness ratio of 1 in data centers, achieving a PUE of 1.12. It plans for all future data centers to attain LEED gold certification. Commitment to be diesel-free by 2030 with hydrogen fuel cell backup power. Emphasis on efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation at global locations.