Anthropic announced that it will cover the full cost of power‑grid upgrades required for its new data centers, preventing those expenses from being passed on to nearby consumers. The AI firm said it will pay higher monthly electricity charges to fund 100 percent of the needed upgrades and will support new power‑source development. The move follows a broader industry trend, with other tech giants also committing to share infrastructure costs amid rising electricity rates and community concerns about energy‑intensive data‑center projects. Read more →

A new analysis finds that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers will drive a significant rise in U.S. electricity demand, potentially increasing power‑plant carbon emissions by up to 29 percent over the next decade. The study highlights that restoring wind and solar tax credits could cut emissions by more than 30 percent and lower wholesale electricity costs. It also notes that without stronger policies, the surge in data‑center power use could exacerbate climate impacts and raise costs for consumers. The report calls for robust guardrails on data‑center growth and accelerated renewable investment to balance the AI boom with climate goals. Read more →

The rapid expansion of AI‑focused data centers is straining local power grids, water supplies, and air quality. High‑density GPU farms consume far more electricity than traditional facilities, prompting utilities to rewire substations and sometimes rely on diesel generators when grid capacity is insufficient. While companies like Google are sourcing a majority of electricity from renewables and experimenting with on‑site wind and solar, many deployments still depend on fossil‑fuel backup. Experts argue that stronger regulations, smarter grid planning, and efficient cooling technologies are essential to balance AI growth with environmental responsibility. Read more →

Google has unveiled WeatherNext 2, an AI‑driven weather forecasting system that delivers faster, higher‑resolution predictions by simulating hundreds of possible outcomes in under a minute. Built with a Functional Generative Network and trained on individual variables such as temperature and wind speed, the model claims up to eight‑times faster processing and improved accuracy for 99.9% of variables up to 15 days out. WeatherNext 2 is being integrated across Google Search, Gemini, Pixel Weather, and Maps, with plans for broader API access. The technology aims to give users a richer view of weather uncertainty and supports sectors like renewable energy and emergency services. Read more →

A new International Energy Agency report shows global spending on data centers surpassing oil exploration, highlighting the massive power demand of AI-driven facilities. The surge strains electrical grids, especially near large cities, but also opens opportunities for renewable solutions such as solar farms and microgrids built from used EV batteries. Major AI firms like OpenAI, Meta and Anthropic have pledged billions toward new data center projects, while startups focusing on clean energy infrastructure stand to benefit from the shift. Read more →

A new analysis published in Nature Communications examines the environmental footprint of the rapid AI‑driven data‑center expansion in the United States. While tech giants pour billions into new facilities, the study finds that location dramatically influences carbon and water impacts. States such as Texas, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota emerge as optimal sites because they balance lower water scarcity with cleaner electricity grids. In contrast, traditional hubs like Virginia and California face growing pressure on energy and water resources, raising doubts about the feasibility of industry net‑zero pledges. Read more →

A new survey commissioned by solar installer Sunrun finds that a strong majority of U.S. consumers are worried that the surge in AI‑driven data centers will push up their electricity costs. Data centers now consume about 4% of the nation’s electricity, more than double their share in 2018, and projections suggest this could rise to between 6.7% and 12% within a few years. While renewables, especially utility‑scale solar, are expanding quickly and can be deployed in roughly 18 months, the pace of natural‑gas plant construction lags behind, creating a potential supply gap. The report highlights the tension between growing demand, consumer sentiment, and the energy transition. Read more →

Tech giants are rapidly expanding AI data centers to meet soaring demand for generative models. Projects like OpenAI's Stargate partnership, Meta's Hyperion facility, and new builds in Texas and Louisiana illustrate the scale of investment. The growth brings heightened energy use, with some centers consuming gigawatts and accounting for significant portions of regional electricity. Stakeholders debate the environmental impact, the role of renewable versus fossil‑fuel grids, and the political push‑back from local communities. At the same time, analysts warn that the massive supply of compute may outpace consumer demand, raising concerns about a potential AI bubble. Read more →

China has unveiled a draft five-year plan that emphasizes technological self‑reliance and reduced exposure to foreign pressure. The proposal highlights development in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and renewable energy, while seeking to boost domestic consumption and lessen reliance on exports. It builds on the previous plan launched during the earlier U.S. administration and reflects ongoing trade tensions between Beijing and Washington. Read more →

Former Cold War shelters and abandoned mines are being transformed into high‑security data centers. Companies such as Cyberfort operate these subterranean facilities, offering protection against both cyber and physical threats. The hardened concrete walls, blast‑proof doors and strict access controls promise data survivability even in extreme scenarios. While the physical security is emphasized, the facilities also address regulatory concerns like data sovereignty and environmental impact by sourcing renewable energy and using closed‑loop cooling. The trend reflects growing anxieties over data loss and the need for resilient infrastructure. Read more →

Former Vice President Al Gore told reporters that China has become the world’s leading force in the energy transition, a development he would not have predicted 25 years ago. He praised China’s rapid expansion of solar capacity and its shift toward measurable emissions reductions, while criticizing the United States for policy reversals that have slowed its climate leadership. Gore also discussed the growing electricity demand from AI data centers, the importance of real‑time emissions tracking through Climate TRACE, and expressed cautious optimism that renewable technologies are accelerating faster than fossil‑fuel resistance. Read more →

Octopus Energy announced the spin‑off of Kraken, its technology platform that handles utility billing, meter management and artificial‑intelligence‑driven grid optimisation. The move follows commitments of annual revenue from other utilities and positions Kraken to work with power providers beyond Octopus without conflicts of interest. Kraken originated as Octopus’s internal demo client, now serving millions of households in the UK and abroad, and integrates AI models to balance renewable energy on the grid while offering flexible tariffs that encourage customers to shift usage to periods of surplus supply. Read more →

Former Vice President Al Gore told reporters that China has become the world’s leading force in the energy transition, a development he would not have predicted 25 years ago. He praised China’s rapid expansion of solar capacity and its shift toward measurable emissions reductions, while criticizing the United States for policy reversals that have slowed its climate leadership. Gore also discussed the growing electricity demand from AI data centers, the importance of real‑time emissions tracking through Climate TRACE, and expressed cautious optimism that renewable technologies are accelerating faster than fossil‑fuel resistance. Read more →

Former Vice President Al Gore told reporters that China has become the world’s leading force in the energy transition, a development he would not have predicted 25 years ago. He praised China’s rapid expansion of solar capacity and its shift toward measurable emissions reductions, while criticizing the United States for policy reversals that have slowed its climate leadership. Gore also discussed the growing electricity demand from AI data centers, the importance of real‑time emissions tracking through Climate TRACE, and expressed cautious optimism that renewable technologies are accelerating faster than fossil‑fuel resistance. Read more →

Octopus Energy announced the spin‑off of Kraken, its technology platform that handles utility billing, meter management and artificial‑intelligence‑driven grid optimisation. The move follows commitments of annual revenue from other utilities and positions Kraken to work with power providers beyond Octopus without conflicts of interest. Kraken originated as Octopus’s internal demo client, now serving millions of households in the UK and abroad, and integrates AI models to balance renewable energy on the grid while offering flexible tariffs that encourage customers to shift usage to periods of surplus supply. Read more →

Octopus Energy announced the spin‑off of Kraken, its technology platform that handles utility billing, meter management and artificial‑intelligence‑driven grid optimisation. The move follows commitments of annual revenue from other utilities and positions Kraken to work with power providers beyond Octopus without conflicts of interest. Kraken originated as Octopus’s internal demo client, now serving millions of households in the UK and abroad, and integrates AI models to balance renewable energy on the grid while offering flexible tariffs that encourage customers to shift usage to periods of surplus supply. Read more →

Former Vice President Al Gore told reporters that China has become the world’s leading force in the energy transition, a development he would not have predicted 25 years ago. He praised China’s rapid expansion of solar capacity and its shift toward measurable emissions reductions, while criticizing the United States for policy reversals that have slowed its climate leadership. Gore also discussed the growing electricity demand from AI data centers, the importance of real‑time emissions tracking through Climate TRACE, and expressed cautious optimism that renewable technologies are accelerating faster than fossil‑fuel resistance. Read more →

Octopus Energy announced the spin‑off of Kraken, its technology platform that handles utility billing, meter management and artificial‑intelligence‑driven grid optimisation. The move follows commitments of annual revenue from other utilities and positions Kraken to work with power providers beyond Octopus without conflicts of interest. Kraken originated as Octopus’s internal demo client, now serving millions of households in the UK and abroad, and integrates AI models to balance renewable energy on the grid while offering flexible tariffs that encourage customers to shift usage to periods of surplus supply. Read more →

Octopus Energy announced the spin‑off of Kraken, its technology platform that handles utility billing, meter management and artificial‑intelligence‑driven grid optimisation. The move follows commitments of annual revenue from other utilities and positions Kraken to work with power providers beyond Octopus without conflicts of interest. Kraken originated as Octopus’s internal demo client, now serving millions of households in the UK and abroad, and integrates AI models to balance renewable energy on the grid while offering flexible tariffs that encourage customers to shift usage to periods of surplus supply. Read more →

Former Vice President Al Gore told reporters that China has become the world’s leading force in the energy transition, a development he would not have predicted 25 years ago. He praised China’s rapid expansion of solar capacity and its shift toward measurable emissions reductions, while criticizing the United States for policy reversals that have slowed its climate leadership. Gore also discussed the growing electricity demand from AI data centers, the importance of real‑time emissions tracking through Climate TRACE, and expressed cautious optimism that renewable technologies are accelerating faster than fossil‑fuel resistance. Read more →