Redwood Materials has launched Redwood Energy to repurpose aging batteries, retaining substantial capacity, into renewable-powered microgrids. These microgrids can independently provide energy for businesses and communities, enhancing energy efficiency without relying on the larger grid. The inaugural microgrid, located at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, generates 64 megawatt-hours using solar power, making it one of the largest in the U.S. This power supports Crusoe, a cryptocurrency miner transitioning to AI data centers, which require massive energy due to growing demand. Redwood’s microgrid solutions are quicker and more cost-effective than traditional power plants as they utilize repurposed batteries, making them ideal for addressing the increasing energy needs of data centers projected to soar by 2030. JB Straubel, Redwood’s CEO, emphasizes that low-cost storage technologies can effectively meet the rising energy demands while mitigating climate emissions associated with data center operations.
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