This year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas placed a new emphasis on energy solutions to address the growing energy needs of the technology industry. Data centers, which consumed 4.4% of U.S. electricity in 2023, are expected to use 12% by 2028, prompting a transition to sustainability.
Startups like Aerleum, which produces synthetic fuel from CO2, and DataGreen, which is developing compact data centers powered by renewable sources, debuted at CES. While tech giants have shown limited interest so far, innovators believe cost-cutting and environmental solutions will drive future adoption. Dutch company LV Energy, which generates power from sound and vibration, has stressed the importance of its presence, despite competing with innovations focused on artificial intelligence.
Big tech firms have already made strides. Amazon leads the way as the world's largest buyer of renewable energy, and Microsoft recently partnered with Constellation Energy to power data centers using energy from the repowered Three Mile Island nuclear plant.
Smaller companies face challenges in breaking through, but their presence at CES signals a growing recognition of the need for sustainable energy solutions. As Aerleum's Sebastian Fidorow says, "The mindset is changing," and sustainability is becoming a critical factor in the future of technology. | BGNES