24小时不间断供给且零碳排放! 这家地热能初创公司获谷歌(GOOGL.US)青睐

Core Insights - Fervo Energy, a US geothermal startup, has raised $462 million in a funding round led by Capital B, with participation from major investors including Google and Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, aiming for large-scale commercialization of geothermal energy [1][2] - Geothermal energy currently accounts for only 0.4% of global electricity capacity, but its demand is increasing due to the electrification and power needs of AI systems, making it a critical energy source for tech giants like Google and Microsoft [2][3] - The global AI race is fundamentally a competition for AI computing infrastructure, which requires a stable and substantial power supply, leading to unprecedented electricity demand driven by AI data centers [3][4] Company Insights - Fervo Energy is the first startup to commercialize Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), utilizing fracking technology from the oil and gas industry to extract heat from deep underground [2] - The company has a commercial pilot project in northern Nevada and a long-term agreement with Google to supply power to its AI data centers, while also constructing a 500 MW facility in Utah expected to deliver up to 100 MW of carbon-free power to the US grid by 2026 [2][4] Industry Insights - The unique characteristics of geothermal energy, such as its clean and stable power supply, make it an attractive investment for tech companies seeking reliable, low-carbon energy sources [4] - Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal energy is not affected by weather or seasonal changes, allowing for continuous operation and significant reductions in carbon emissions [4] - Goldman Sachs has revised its forecast for electricity demand driven by data centers to increase by 175% by 2030, highlighting the significant role of AI in creating a "super demand cycle" for electricity [3]