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Meta Signs Deal for Advanced Geothermal Power in New Mexico to Support AI Expansion

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Meta has signed an agreement with XGS Energy to develop 150 megawatts of advanced geothermal electricity in New Mexico. The clean energy will power Meta’s expanding artificial intelligence data centers, marking a step forward in the tech giant’s efforts to source sustainable energy for its operations.

This deal highlights a growing trend among major technology companies to secure large-scale, low-carbon power supplies to meet soaring electricity demands driven by AI development. Advanced geothermal energy, unlike conventional geothermal, generates power without relying on natural water sources and produces no climate-warming emissions.

While 150 megawatts is a small portion of the gigawatts of power that Big Tech firms seek for AI data centers, it represents about 4% of total U.S. geothermal production capacity. New Mexico has significant untapped geothermal potential, estimated at around 160,000 megawatts.

The Meta-XGS project is planned to be phased in and operational by the end of this decade. The electricity generated will feed into the local grid and support Meta’s regional operations.

Urvi Parekh, Meta’s Global Head of Energy, said, “With next-generation geothermal technologies like XGS ready for scale, geothermal can be a major player in supporting the advancement of technologies like AI as well as domestic data center development. We’re excited to partner with XGS to unlock a new category of energy supply for our operations in New Mexico.”

Aurora Plans to Tackle Harsh Weather with Self-Driving Trucks Ahead of Commercial Launch

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Aurora Innovation has announced plans to enable its self-driving trucks to operate in inclement weather conditions as part of its preparations for launching commercial trips in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in 2025. The autonomous trucks are set to begin operations on public roads, marking a significant milestone in Aurora’s path to becoming a leader in autonomous freight transportation.

Expansion of Operational Design Domain (ODD)

Aurora intends to expand the Operational Design Domain (ODD) for its autonomous trucks to include harsher weather conditions. The ODD defines the specific conditions under which a vehicle is designed to operate safely, taking into account factors like geography, weather, and traffic patterns. The trucks will be able to operate in suburban and urban environments, dense traffic, highway construction zones with cones and barriers, as well as in both daytime and nighttime conditions.

The company is enhancing its testing strategy for the trucks to ensure their readiness for these more complex environments. This includes extensive simulations in virtual environments, evaluations on closed tracks, and real-world performance monitoring to fine-tune the vehicles before their commercial launch.

Launch and Expansion Plans

Aurora previously confirmed that it plans to initiate its service in Texas in April 2025. The service will operate within speed limits ranging from 25 miles per hour to 75 miles per hour, allowing for a wide range of operating conditions across the three states.

Partnerships and Technological Advancements

In an effort to accelerate the deployment of its autonomous trucks, Aurora has signed long-term partnerships with key players in the tech and automotive industries, including Nvidia and Continental. These collaborations are expected to enhance Aurora’s capabilities in developing and deploying driverless trucks for freight transport.

Conclusion

With plans to navigate both standard and harsh weather conditions, Aurora Innovation is positioning itself to be a major player in the autonomous trucking industry. The company’s focus on rigorous testing and strategic partnerships is expected to ensure the success of its commercial launch in 2025.