The data centers that power AI and cloud services are limited by 3 things:
- the server hardware (oftentimes limited by access to advanced semiconductors)
- available space (their footprint is massive which makes it hard to put them close to where people live)
- availability of cheap & reliable (and, generally, clean) power
If you, as a data center operator, can tap a new source of cheap & reliable power, you will go very far as you alleviate one of the main constraints on the ability to add to your footprint.
It’s no small wonder, then, that Google is willing to explore partnerships with next-gen geothermal startups like Fervo in a meaningful long-term fashion.
But Google is hoping the road to commercialization for next-generation geothermal will mimic the early days of the tech industry’s solar procurement efforts, Maud Texier, global director of clean energy and decarbonization development, told Latitude Media.
“While there are some important differences between solar and geothermal technologies, we would like to see geothermal power follow a similar trajectory as solar has over the last few decades in terms of rapid cost declines and performance improvements,” Texier said.
Google: Geothermal could follow ‘similar trajectory’ to solar
Maeve Allsup | Latitude Media