JOURNAL ARTICLE

A 'solar bump' could help data centers recover wasted energy.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Richter, Hannah 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses a proposed method for data centers to recover approximately 8% of their electricity needs by utilizing solar technology to capture waste heat. Data centers, which consumed over 4% of U.S. electricity in 2023, primarily use energy for cooling systems, resulting in significant waste heat. Researchers from Texas State University and Rice University suggest using solar collectors to heat this waste water, converting it into steam to generate electricity. While the initial installation costs for this technology may be a concern, the increasing energy demands from artificial intelligence could make this approach economically viable for data center operators. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/09, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Engineering
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:188244307
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