Khaberni - Google has announced an innovative research project named "Project Suncatcher", aimed at building solar-powered artificial intelligence data centers in space.
The company is looking to create a network of solar-powered satellites that carry Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), or artificial intelligence chips, in a low Earth orbit.
These satellites could be linked internally, and possibly with Earth, to establish an artificial intelligence data center in space, according to a company statement.
Google is working with satellite manufacturer "Planet Labs" to launch two prototype AI satellites by early 2027, aiming to test these devices in orbit.
This ambitious project comes at a time when global demand for artificial intelligence data center capabilities is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of between 19 and 22% by 2030, according to a report by McKinsey & Co.
Google's "Suncatcher" project benefits from the fact that solar panels can be up to eight times more productive in space compared to on Earth.
This will allow for almost continuous power generation, reducing reliance on batteries.
Google published an initial research paper detailing the progress made in this ambitious project, which is still in its early research phases.
Artificial intelligence data centers consume large amounts of energy, with servers alone accounting for 60% of their electricity consumption.
The International Energy Agency expects the energy consumption of these centers to double, reaching nearly 3% of global energy demand by 2030.
