Tech sector’s energy transition draws attention at Vegas show

Las Vegas: The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is usually all about the latest gadgets and tech innovations. But this year, there was a noticeable shift. The tech sector is starting to pay attention to its energy needs, especially with the rise of cloud computing and AI.

Sebastien Fiedorow, the CEO of Aerleum, a French startup that makes synthetic fuel from CO2, mentioned how different CES feels now compared to five years ago. He noted that energy companies, while still on the sidelines, are finally getting some recognition at the show.

Data centers are a big part of the energy conversation. They used 4.4% of the U.S. electricity in 2023, and that number is expected to jump to 12% by 2028. Gary Shapiro, head of the Consumer Technology Association, emphasized that energy transition is a key focus this year.

At CES, companies like LV Energy showcased innovative ways to generate electricity, even from sound and vibrations. However, they struggled to grab attention, as their presentations didn’t include buzzwords like AI, which seems to be the hot topic.

DataGreen, another French company, is working on smaller, greener data centers powered by renewables. They’re trying to convince big tech companies to partner with them, but so far, interest has been low.

Jordan Huyghe from Otrera, which designs small nuclear reactors, believes that major investments from giants like Amazon and Microsoft are crucial for a real change in the energy-tech relationship.

Overall, it’s clear that the tech sector is starting to realize the importance of energy solutions. The presence of companies like Aerleum at CES shows that attitudes are shifting, and there’s a growing focus on sustainable energy practices.