Voltus

Tesla cofounder JB Straubel warns the U.S. grid struggles to meet energy demands from AI and data centers as China rapidly expands power generation. Redwood Materials and General Motors partner to use recycled EV batteries for energy storage, while Voltus focuses on optimizing grid capacity through demand response solutions.

Google announced a first-of-its-kind deal with virtual power plant startup Voltus to secure 100 megawatts of grid capacity for its AI data centers without building new infrastructure. The company also unveiled water consumption standards aiming to return more water to ecosystems than consumed by 2030 and will sell $85 billion in shares to fund these initiatives.

Google has partnered with Voltus to establish a virtual power plant (VPP) that aggregates energy resources like electric vehicles and smart thermostats to support its data centers during grid stress. The initiative, part of PJM's US East Coast grid, aims to reduce energy demand during peak times, aligning with studies suggesting data centers could operate without new infrastructure by cutting usage for 40 hours annually. Regulatory efforts in the US and Texas also encourage flexible energy consumption for large users.