Data center energy demand is soaring, driving gigawatt-scale growth in fast-start reciprocating engine power plants worldwide.

Data centers are an economic boom in some areas and are behind the artificial intelligence economy. However, the cost to communities that host them is still in question.

A wave of Virginia data centers abruptly disconnecting from the power grid last year exposed a growing threat to U.S. electricity reliability: massive customers vanishing all at once, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.

As data-center developers frantically seek to secure power for their operations, one startup is proposing a novel solution: Build them into floating offshore wind turbines. San Francisco–based offshore wind-power developer Aikido Technologies today announced its plans to start housing data centers in the underwater tanks that keep its turbine platforms afloat.