Space Sees Data Center Heat Surge

High-resolution thermal imagery captured from orbit is now offering an unprecedented look at the heat generated by energy-intensive facilities. This development comes as burgeoning demand for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency mining significantly increases global electricity consumption, placing considerable strain on power grids worldwide. The rapid expansion of data centers is a key factor driving this trend.

Recently, a thermal satellite operator released an image of a Bitcoin mining data center campus in Rockdale, Texas. This facility, described as the largest in the U.S., reportedly consumes about 700 megawatts, a figure comparable to the electricity usage of approximately 300,000 homes. The site has faced criticism regarding its substantial electricity consumption and carbon footprint.