This machine in Delaware turns data center heat into water
AirJoule unveiled its Prime system in Newark, Delaware, a device designed to convert waste heat from industrial facilities, including data centers, into potable water. The technology also dehumidifies the air, offering a solution for water and energy demands scrutinized by communities amidst rapid data center expansion. The system, developed by a joint venture between AirJoule Technologies and GE Vernova, is currently being refined for commercial deployment.
AirJoule, a joint venture between Montana-headquartered AirJoule Technologies and Cambridge, Massachusetts-headquartered GE Vernova, unveiled its new Prime atmospheric water generator in Newark, Delaware. The Prime system, which resembles a shipping container, can produce up to 2,000 liters of water daily by pulling moisture from the air and condensing it using waste heat from industrial facilities, including data centers. It also returns drier air, offering a dual benefit of water production and dehumidification.
The technology, rooted in over two decades of federal research from the US Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, is being refined by AirJoule's Newark team. The company believes there is a significant market for its systems due to rapid data center construction, increasing water stress, and demand for energy-efficient humidity control.
Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer acknowledged community concerns regarding the water and energy demands of data centers, highlighting the importance of solutions like Prime. The system differs from conventional dehumidifiers by using a sorbent material to capture moisture and leveraging low-temperature heat, which AirJoule claims results in 40% more dehumidification with less electricity usage compared to traditional methods.