Data centers turn to old jet engines to power AI’s soaring energy demands
SMRTR summary
Aircraft engines that once soared at 35,000 feet are now powering the artificial intelligence revolution from the ground. Companies like ProEnergy are buying retired jet engines and converting them into electricity generators, helping solve a critical shortage that threatens to stall AI development.
The problem is stark: data centers need power faster than utilities can provide it, and new gas turbines have wait times stretching three to five years, sometimes eight years in some regions. "There just aren't enough gas turbines to go around, and the problem is probably going to get worse," says Paul Browning, CEO of Generative Power Solutions and former head of GE Power.
ProEnergy transforms old Boeing 747 engines into natural gas turbines that generate up to 48 megawatts each. The company has sold 21 turbines totaling more than one gigawatt for data center projects.
These repurposed engines start up in five minutes and can be swapped for maintenance in 72 hours. They're serving as crucial bridge power, keeping AI infrastructure projects alive while developers wait years for grid connections.
SMRTR provides this summary for quick context. The original article belongs to Interesting Engineering.
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