Elon Musk’s xAI Data Center in Memphis Uses Mobile Gas-Fired Power
Forbes reports that when Memphis, Tennessee’s grid couldn’t provide all the electricity needed to power Elon Musk’s xAI’s new Colossus data center, the company turned to “a quick and dirty solution” of using mobile natural gas turbines. The Forbes reporter says these power plants on wheels are “usually a last resort during emergencies” and not a permanent solution. Data centers nationwide have started using them as a stopgap solution. At least four mobile units are at the xAI site in Memphis, possibly more. The concern is that they not only generate lots of electricity but also pollutants like nitrous oxides (NOx) and formaldehyde. Read More “Elon Musk’s xAI Data Center in Memphis Uses Mobile Gas-Fired Power”
Artificial Intelligence (AI) “took center stage in many sessions” at last week’s CERAWeek by S&P conference in Houston. But maybe not for the reasons you may think. Lately, MDN has brought you a flurry of stories about AI data centers and the monsters they are with respect to the amount of energy they consume. A day doesn’t go by that we don’t see stories of plans and announcements to generate more electricity (typically using gas-fired plants) to feed these beasts. While AI data centers and the need to supply them with gas-fired power were discussed last week at CERAWeek, the AI we’re talking about is how energy companies in all sectors (upstream, midstream, and downstream) are using AI to do their jobs faster, cheaper, and better.