Can Space Sunlight Be Used To Run AI Data Centres? Meta Thinks So

In a latest development to fuel growing data centre demands, Meta announced partnerships to power its growing AI operations using alternative energy sources. This move came as electricity demand from AI systems continued to rise. These projects are expected to witness early demonstrations by 2028, aiming to tackle limits of current renewable energy by collecting solar power from space and how the clean energy could be stored for longer periods. Why Does AI Rise Needs More Energy?As AI systems continue to develop, they need larger data centres that need significant amounts of electricity. As per the International Energy Agency, power use from such data centres may lead to three per cent of global electricity consumption by 2030. Major electricity supply

still continues to rely on fossil fuels, which adds to environmental concerns. While the sources of renewable energy like solar winds and wind are developing, they require heavy weather conditions and time of day, emerging as a consistent supply challenge.To tackle this challenge, Meta has partnered with Overview Energy to explore collecting solar energy directly from space. This idea comprises satellites placed in geosynchronous orbit, which is around 22,000 miles away from our Earth. These satellites will capture the sunlight and transfer the energy to Earth utilising the low intensity infrared beams. Moreover, this will allow solar power generation even at night and during cloudy weather conditions. Energy Storage For Long Term UseApart from the space project, Meta is also working with Noon Energy to improve how renewable energy is stored. The tech firm is testing systems that use solid oxide fuel cells and carbon-based materials to store the energy. It can then be further utilised when demand is high and the renewable generation is low. These efforts show how major tech players are experimenting with energy solutions as the demand for AI continues to grow.