Data centers

Batteries

Crusoe taps not one but two novel battery technologies for AI buildout

The developer signed a huge deal for Form Energy’s iron-air tech and will build more modular data centers powered by Redwood Materials’ second-life EV batteries.

By Julian Spector . 25 March 2026

Shot from above of dirt lot with batery buildings and one truck; "Crusoe" and its circular log on seen on one white roof — Since June, Crusoe’s modular Spark data centers have run off solar power stored in former EV batteries at the Redwood Materials campus in Nevada. Crusoe will be adding more Spark units there. (Crusoe)

Data centers

Duke Energy agrees to explore a cleaner way to power data centers

A settlement deal would commit the North Carolina utility to working with Google on a scheme that lets data centers pay to secure 24/7 clean energy.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 19 March 2026
Data centers

Illinois to data centers: Bring your own renewables and skip the line

Proposed legislation offers perks for data centers that invest in clean energy. A broad coalition supports the bill, but details still need to be hammered out.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 March 2026
Data centers

Trump asks tech titans to sign an energy pledge, but is it just PR?

The “ratepayer protection pledge” pushes data center builders to shoulder their own power costs, but the federal government has no chance of enforcing it.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 6 March 2026
Data centers

How states are trying to keep AI data centers off your power bill

“Large load tariffs” are spreading fast as states scramble to protect consumers and the climate from the AI boom. Some approaches have more promise than others.

By Jeff St. John . 4 March 2026
Transmission

Virginia to utilities: Do more with the existing power grid

Amid rising energy costs, the state just passed a first-of-a-kind bill that would force utilities to quantify and examine ways to reduce waste on the grid.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 3 March 2026
Guest essay

AI: Does not compute

Building fossil-fuel infrastructure to power data centers is a poor bet. Renewables are by far the cheaper, faster choice.

By Amory B. Lovins, Justin Locke . 2 March 2026
Data centers

Politicians wake up to the data center dilemma

Data centers and their immense power demand are driving discussions from the White House down to county governments — and are sure to shape this year's midterm elections.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 27 February 2026
Batteries

Gigantic Form Energy battery to power Google data center in Minnesota

The startup has struck a deal with Xcel Energy to build a 30 gigawatt-hour battery plant that will deliver clean energy, round the clock, to a Google facility.

By Julian Spector . 24 February 2026
Clean aluminum

Loss of green smelter highlights Kentucky’s need for clean electricity

Century Aluminum chose Oklahoma, not Kentucky, for a new smelter. Some say it’s a "wake-up call" for the Bluegrass State to modernize – and decarbonize – its grid.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 February 2026
Data centers

Wisconsin debates how to pay for the power-hungry AI boom

Regulators mull the first big utility plan to provide electricity to data centers flocking to the state, igniting disputes over consumer protection and clean energy.

By Kari Lydersen . 27 January 2026