As the urgency to guarantee \u00a0natural gas\u00a0 supplies for the upcoming winter grows, \u00a0geothermal energy\u00a0 has emerged as a viable alternative heating source in regions like the Basque Country and the Canary Islands. Traditionally overlooked, this \u00a0limitless energy\u00a0 resource might be rewriting its story \u2013 especially as Meta has discovered its potential to power \u00a0artificial intelligence\u00a0 (AI).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In Brief:<\/strong> Meta recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Californian startup XGS Energy<\/a>, which specializes in cutting-edge geothermal technologies. The objective is to add \u00a0150 megawatts\u00a0 of emissions-free electricity to the grid that powers its data center in \u00a0Los Lunas, New Mexico\u00a0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A Unique Opportunity:<\/strong> The solution lies at the intersection of \u00a0climate commitments\u00a0 and the demands of AI. Urvi Parekh, Meta’s Global Head of Energy, stated in a press release<\/a> covered by The Verge that advancements in AI require a \u00a0constant energy supply\u00a0 to drive infrastructure development. Advanced geothermal energy, which drills deeper to access hotter rocks, could produce enough electricity in the US to meet nearly two-thirds of new data center demands by 2030, according to TechCrunch<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Independence from Climate and Water:<\/strong> The project will unfold in two phases by 2030. XGS Energy will utilize a proprietary \u00a0closed-loop technology\u00a0, which recirculates water in a closed system. The fluid is heated as it circulates through underground steel structures, ensuring that it doesn\u2019t escape through cracks in the rock \u2013 a particularly significant aspect in drought-affected states like New Mexico.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unlike traditional geothermal plants, which rely on natural aquifers or volcanic regions, this technology allows the exploitation of resources in dry, hot rock formations, which are much more common. According to ESG Dive<\/a>, XGS’s project could potentially multiply the currently installed geothermal capacity in the state by \u00a0tenfold\u00a0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A First of Its Kind?<\/strong> While this is not Meta’s first foray into geothermal energy, it stands as one of the most significant. Besides a previous agreement with \u00a0Sage Geosystems\u00a0, other companies like \u00a0Google\u00a0 have initiated collaborations<\/a> with startups such as \u00a0Fervo Energy\u00a0 to develop similar technologies. What sets this project apart is its \u00a0scalability\u00a0, its focus on dry regions, and its direct integration with data centers devoted to AI.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n An Emerging Trend:<\/strong> Meta is not navigating this path alone. \u00a0Mastercard\u00a0 has announced<\/a> that its headquarters in New York will use geothermal energy to replace its gas heating systems. In this context, Meta not only seeks energy but also future viability for its AI infrastructure. The Earth\u2019s heat in previously overlooked areas might just be the spark to ignite the next generation of \u00a0artificial intelligence\u00a0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n