A major worry surrounding artificial intelligence involves the rapid expansion of data centers and its effects on nearby areas. These installations strain local resources, leading some energy providers to warn of rising electricity costs for consumers due to heightened usage. Conversations have emerged about alternative energy options to fuel AI growth, with Airloom—a firm focused on wind energy—stepping up to tackle this issue. In preparation for its presentation at CES, details have surfaced regarding Airloom's achievements over the past year and its upcoming objectives.
Unlike conventional towering structures for wind energy, Airloom's setups stand at just 20 to 30 meters tall. These consist of a continuous loop featuring adaptable wings that travel along a rail system, resembling a roller coaster track. The motion of these wings produces electricity in a manner similar to the blades of standard wind turbines. According to Airloom, its designs use 40 percent less material than traditional versions while matching their energy production. The company further states that these towers need 42 percent fewer components overall and 96 percent fewer distinct types of parts. Overall, Airloom asserts that this method allows for deployment 85 percent quicker and at 47 percent lower cost compared to horizontal-axis wind turbines. In June, the firm initiated construction on a test site to validate its technology and verify these performance metrics in real-world conditions.
Transporting an entire wind installation to CES isn't practical, regardless of scale, yet Airloom plans to feature a display space at the show highlighting its innovations and technical details. Though the company operates outside the consumer market, its developments hold potential to benefit society in the long term, particularly as the surge in data centers persists.