Data Center Signal is tracking 6 clips about Redwood Materials data center developments across 3 states, including MI, CA, NV.
Redwood Materials is expanding into a business that uses retired electric-vehicle batteries to provide power for AI data centers. The approach is intended to help data centers obtain electricity without waiting for additional capacity from the strained U.S. electric grid.
General Motors and Ford are diversifying their businesses by entering the energy storage system (ESS) market, a move driven partly by the growing energy demands of data centers. Both automakers are converting existing EV battery factories and partnering with other firms to develop and produce ESS technologies. They are also seeking U.S. military contracts for vehicle production.
U.S. consumers are increasingly opposing data center developments due to environmental concerns, energy costs, and limited job creation, particularly in Michigan. This backlash raises questions for automakers like Ford and General Motors, who are entering the stationary battery energy storage business, a key supplier to data centers. Tesla, through its Megapacks, is already a significant player in this sector, supplying companies like SpaceX and Meta.
General Motors is expanding its energy storage and battery technology efforts, including next-generation sodium-ion batteries and vehicle-to-grid capabilities, to support the growing demand from AI data centers and combat rising energy costs. The company is partnering with Peak Energy for sodium-ion development and continuing work with Redwood Materials and LG Energy Solution on other battery solutions.
General Motors announced new vehicle-to-grid capabilities and an energy storage system strategy to help stabilize the electrical grid against the growing electricity demand from AI data centers. The company is partnering with utilities in California and Michigan to test these technologies. GM is also advocating for regulatory support to formalize V2G infrastructure.
The article highlights how energy companies are responding to the increasing power demands of AI data centers. Schneider Electric and Nvidia are collaborating on cooling solutions, while Redwood Materials is using second-life batteries to power a Nevada data center. NextEra and Google are partnering to build new power plants alongside data centers, and Emerald AI is developing software to optimize AI workloads based on grid conditions.