Oak Ridge spawns institute to curb AI datacenter power surge (www.theregister.com)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has announced the establishment of the Next Generation Data Centers Institute (NGDCI) aimed at addressing the escalating power demands of AI datacenters. As electricity needs are projected to double or triple in the coming decade, the NGDCI will integrate ORNL's expertise across various fields, including energy, high-performance computing, and cybersecurity, to develop innovative solutions that ensure the efficiency and reliability of AI infrastructure. ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer emphasized the urgency of the initiative, highlighting that the current energy consumption by datacenters is unsustainable for the US grid. The institute will focus on six key research areas: thermal management, power system architecture, grid integration, security, integrated systems modeling, and operational load management. This includes developing next-gen cooling technologies, exploring direct current power systems, and embedding cybersecurity measures within datacenter infrastructure. Notable industry leaders, such as Nvidia and AMD, support the NGDCI's mission to enhance the interplay between compute capability and energy management, ultimately positioning datacenters as vital national assets. As ORNL also prepares to deploy advanced supercomputers like Discovery and Lux, the institute seeks to foster scientific advancements while addressing the infrastructure challenges posed by growing AI demands.