Issue 2
Viewpoint
energy · global
IEA: data centres used 1.5% of global electricity in 2024, a fifth of planned projects may face delays
According to ScienceBlog, data centres used 1.5% of global electricity in 2024, but demand is concentrating in clusters. The IEA assesses that one in five planned projects should expect grid delays.
Who is affected and how
- energy specialist
- For planned connections in clusters, grid delays must be built into project schedules and capacity planning.
- supplier
- A supplier serving data centre projects must account for the risk of project slippage in its order book.
energy · United States
Most power sought for US AI data centres will not materialise, report says
A report dated 12 August says more than two-thirds of the US power requested for the AI boom is unlikely to materialise because of "phantom projects" and other factors. Another analysis argues that…
energy specialistMost grid connection requests do not represent real load, so investment decisions require filtering for serious projects.supplierOf the announced data centre pipeline, capacity is worth reserving only for funded, permitted projects.energy · United StatesNuclear power for AI data centres: financing lags behind deals
An analysis dated 12 August says financing is lagging behind nuclear power deals for AI data centres. Crusoe is testing Aalo's nuclear power for data centre use, and Fermi has named a new CEO.
energy specialistDeadlines for SMR-based power supply plans should be set against financing and manufacturing realities, not announcements.supplierAssembly-line production of modular reactors could open a new supply chain in the longer term, but financing of the orders is still uncertain.data centre · European UnionEuropean AI data centre growth shaped by grid limits and sovereignty concerns
One analysis puts Europe's data centre market at $47 billion in 2024, with expansion shaped by grid constraints and sovereignty considerations. Magnora Data Center ASA has entered a joint venture to…
energy specialistIn European grid connection queues, modular and on-site power supply can speed up commissioning.supplierModular power infrastructure is a growing procurement category for European data centre projects.investment · United StatesSiemens to invest $200 million in two new US plants for data centre electrical equipment
Siemens is setting up two new US facilities to make electrical equipment for AI data centres, with a $200 million investment and more than 1,500 new jobs. Another article says other large…
plant managerManufacturing electrical equipment for data centres is a growth area alongside traditional industrial products.supplierThe expansion of electrical equipment makers can create demand for components and subcontractors.skilled workerThe new plants will bring more than 1,500 jobs, drawing on workers experienced in electrical manufacturing.Hungary
data centreHungary's Paks AI campus: will it drain the water supply, or will a water system finally be built?energy specialistThe Paks AI campus's electricity and water demand is at the heart of regional grid and water-system planning.plant managerNew water-intensive investments compete for local industrial water and energy supply.automationHUN-REN SZTAKI and Hitachi use AI-based system to automate production line planningengineerOptimization-based automatic line planning could replace manual layout and scheduling iterations.plant managerCombining AI and optimization can shorten the planning time for a new or reconfigured battery production line.caseAudi's Győr plant hands more tasks to AIplant managerAI-based analysis of production data could become a daily tool for meetings and process optimization.skilled workerPaper-based daily meetings are giving way to digital, data-driven systems.surveyOnly 6.97% of Hungarian SMEs use artificial intelligenceSME ownerWith only 6.97% adoption, few competitors use AI yet, so moving early could bring an advantage.caseHungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry launches AI-based partner-finding platformSME ownerThe platform could be a new channel for finding business partners and customers.supplierFor suppliers, a listing on the platform could open up new customer relationships.surveyCar industry and artificial intelligence drive growth in Hungarian industrial outputplant managerOrders tied to the car industry and AI also affect how fully Hungarian industrial capacity is used.supplierGrowth in the automotive supply chain could bring orders, but the details are in the full article.supply chainAI and EVs are reshaping Czech auto supply chainssupplierAutomotive suppliers in the region need to adapt their portfolios to EV- and AI-driven change.energyPolish energy sector faces data-centre challenge as AI demand growsenergy specialistData-centre demand in the region affects grid and energy-supply planning.
More key stories of the week
robotics · global
Robot orders rise in Q2 as automation demand broadens across industries
Robot orders rose in the second quarter, and automation demand is spreading to more industries. Q2 reports from robotics companies also show demand for physical AI broadening.
plant managerAutomation is no longer in demand only in traditional heavy industry; supplier lead times and prices depend on the growing order backlog.supplierRobot makers' growing order backlogs create opportunities for robot integrators and component suppliers.energy · United StatesEIA: US power use to hit record highs in 2026 and 2027 as AI use surges
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) says electricity use will reach new highs in both 2026 and 2027 as AI use grows. A report on a facility in Loudoun says its power demand doubled within…
energy specialistGiven record demand, data centre load must be treated as a separate scenario in generation and grid capacity plans.energy · United StatesData centres as grid participants: national labs work on flexible interconnection
According to Energy Network Media Group, US national laboratories are working to make AI data centres support the grid. A Digitalisation World article also examines how data centres can become grid…
energy specialistThe flexible connection model promises faster grid connection if the data centre commits to controllable load.engineerData centre load management (controllability) is becoming a design requirement.energy · United StatesOnsite power for AI data centres: Texas gas plant and wind-farm site
Amazon is backing a large Texas gas plant to power AI data centres, which environmental analysts criticise over emissions and air pollution. Texas has also approved the first AI data centre next to a…
energy specialistOnsite generation (gas, paired renewables) has become a realistic option instead of waiting for the grid, bringing new permitting and emissions questions.supplierDemand is growing for onsite power plant and energy supply equipment in data centre projects.investment · AsiaSK hynix commits KRW 54 trillion to new AI memory fabs
SK hynix has committed KRW 54 trillion (about $38bn) to new AI memory fabs. Demand for memory chips is driven by AI data-centre investment, which is also powering the South Korean economy.
supplierThe fab build-out is expected to bring higher orders for suppliers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and materials.plant managerDemand for AI memory also affects how memory supply develops.robotics · AsiaChinese humanoid makers account for over 97% of global shipments, report says
According to a report cited by Bloomberg, Chinese humanoid robot makers accounted for more than 97 percent of global shipments. A Korean analysis describes the gap between mass robot deployment in…
plant managerWhen procuring humanoid robots, buyers must in practice reckon with Chinese suppliers.supplierFor Western component and drivetrain suppliers, Chinese manufacturers appear both as competitors and as customers.investment · European UnionUber and Pony.ai plan to bring 2,000 robotaxis to Europe
Uber and Chinese self-driving developer Pony.ai plan to bring 2,000 robotaxis to Europe. TechCrunch reported the plan on 14 August.
logistics specialistThe arrival of European robotaxi fleets could change the competitive landscape for urban passenger and, later, freight services.supplierThe European expansion of a Chinese self-driving technology player also affects the automotive supply chain.case · European UnionReiche: Germany can lead in industrial AI, not in language models
German economy minister Katherina Reiche says Germany is unlikely to win the race in large language models but could become an international leader in industrial AI. Industrial AI could give the…
plant managerGerman industrial AI strategy favours solutions built on manufacturing data, and suppliers will need to align with it.supplierGerman customers' industrial AI expectations (data sharing, machine data) may also appear in supplier requirements.case · United StatesLocal protests against AI data centers become a credit risk; anti-data-center candidate wins
According to Portfolio, financiers of data center construction are taking local residents' opposition increasingly seriously, and it has become a credit risk factor. In Michigan, an anti-data-center…
energy specialistPermitting data center load has become a local political issue, which could also affect the timing of grid development plans.supplierBecause of project financing risk, some data center orders may be delayed.investment · United StatesForm Energy raises $750 million as AI data centres drive demand for 100-hour batteries
Form Energy has secured $750 million in funding as AI data centres increase demand for 100-hour storage. The news appeared on 13 August.
energy specialistLong-duration storage is becoming a realistic option for supplying data centre load and is worth assessing in grid plans.energy · United StatesAI data centres: equipment failures and grid stability risks from surging power demand
ETEnterpriseai reports that the fast-rising power demand of AI data centres is causing equipment failures and reliability problems. A North American organisation has also warned about grid stability.
energy specialistWhen connecting large, rapidly fluctuating data centre loads, protection and stability requirements must be checked separately.engineerReliability testing of data centre power equipment must also be sized for rapid load changes.case · AsiaHyundai says safety inspection time cut by 90 percent
Eighteen days after presenting its Physical AI strategy, Hyundai Motor Group released concrete figures: a 90 percent shorter safety inspection time, along with other results. The company set out the…
plant managerSafety inspections can be sped up significantly with AI support, so it is worth launching a pilot in your own processes.engineerThe reported result is a concrete metric that can be used as a benchmark for the expectations of in-house AI projects.In brief
caseEU Industry Accelerator Act could speed up Chinese carmakers' push into Europe, Hungarian analysis saysplant managerThe content of the legislation will influence site and supplier decisions in European EV manufacturing, so it needs to be followed.supplierThe arrival of Chinese manufacturers in Europe could also reshuffle orders placed with local suppliers.investmentAI gigafactories: EU to launch €30 billion investmentenergy specialistEU AI gigafactories mean large, concentrated electricity demand, so grid-connection planning needs to start early.automationAI-based predictive maintenance cuts unplanned downtime but needs data, training and trustplant managerThe ROI of predictive maintenance depends on the quality and integration of machine data, not only on the software.engineerTraining the model requires clean, integrated machine data, and maintenance staff's trust is a precondition for rollout.skilled workerA maintenance worker's job is driven by forecast-based intervention instead of planned cycles.automationUnilever scales AI-powered digital twins across global manufacturingplant managerA digital twin lets production line changes be tested virtually before actual rollout.engineerA digital twin is built on production data, so data infrastructure is the foundation of rollout.energyAI may boost oil and gas output more than green energy, reports sayenergy specialistThe energy impact of AI appears not only in data center consumption but also in the optimization of fossil fuel production.automationGoogle DeepMind's role in transforming manufacturing automationengineerAs the focus shifts from general AI research toward manufacturing automation, integrating manufacturing data and control systems may come to the fore.automationGXO CEO: AI data centre demand could triple by 2030, and robotics adoption is acceleratinglogistics specialistData centre-related logistics is a new business area, and warehouse robotics is increasingly part of standard practice.factoryAI data centre cooling: Samsung/FlaktGroup plant in Pune and new Indian cooling standardsengineerCooling standards and AI-driven cooling are important considerations in heat removal design.supplierLocal manufacturing of cooling equipment creates new supply opportunities in the data centre chain.factoryFoxconn profit again beats forecasts on AI server demandplant managerHigh-volume AI server production strengthens the scale advantage of large manufacturers, while smaller players have to look for niches.supplierCapacity expansion at Nvidia's manufacturing suppliers is also reflected in their order books.surveyKinaxis-sponsored study examines accountability for AI in supply chainslogistics specialistResponsibility for AI-driven decisions must be clarified within your own supply chain processes before automation is expanded.surveyUSC and ASCM launch industry AI benchmark to track supply chain transformationlogistics specialistThe benchmark can give a reference point for the AI maturity of your own supply chain.automationUS ports test AI in cargo flows despite cybersecurity and logistics challengeslogistics specialistPort AI pilots aim to speed up the flow of transfer information, and cybersecurity risk must be handled separately.automationModcon Systems develops industrial AI built on process analyzersengineerProcess analyzer data can serve as input for industrial AI models, and measurement quality is decisive.energyAI projects aim to strengthen US power grids, from rural Alaska to AWS–PNNL workenergy specialistAI research on grids targets resilience, and its results may move into operating practice.data centreScotland's data centre boom: what a moratorium could meanenergy specialistThe possibility of a moratorium makes grid connection requests and timelines in Scotland uncertain.data centreThailand tightens data centre rules as AI boom strains power grid; APAC could account for 34% of demand by 2030energy specialistIn Asian markets, regulatory conditions for data centre grid connection are tightening, which affects project timing.roboticsLG to unveil Nvidia-powered humanoid robot in early 2027engineerNvidia's GR00T, as an open platform, is becoming the basis of more humanoid developments, so compatibility is a design consideration.caseNissan uses AI cameras to analyse how US factory workers moveplant managerThe motion-analysis ergonomics system can be used for injury prevention, but employee data handling must also be settled.skilled workerCameras analyse their movements, so it is worth knowing what data is collected and what it is used for.factoryApple's Houston manufacturing centre offers free manufacturing trainingSME ownerThe smart manufacturing training can be one source for upskilling your own staff.engineerSmart manufacturing skills training is available locally.data centreBitcoin miners turn to AI data centres: Riot–Anthropic deal and MARA's moveenergy specialistLeasing mining sites with available power capacity to AI data centres is a new source of demand for megawatts.caseAI data-centre build-out pulls skilled trades away as AT&T and Meta hire thousands of fibre techniciansskilled workerCabling and data-centre construction are in demand today; over the longer term, automated construction could affect that.factoryCompal opens Daxi AI server manufacturing centre in Taoyuanplant managerAI server manufacturing capacity continues to expand, and competition among contract manufacturers is intensifying.automationTokyo Electron and Nvidia expand collaboration on agentic AI and roboticsengineerLinking semiconductor manufacturing equipment with AI agents points to the next directions in production-line automation.caseTwo Schneider Electric plants named "global Lighthouses" for AI and sustainabilityplant managerLighthouse status sets a benchmark for productivity and supply chain resilience against which a plant can measure itself.caseOdysight.ai to demonstrate AI predictive maintenance with Boeing at two sitesengineerThe aerospace pilot shows that predictive maintenance can be tested even in a tightly regulated environment.automationEmerson brings more advanced AI capability to the industrial edgeengineerAI running at the edge reduces cloud dependence, and simpler deployment may speed up pilots.roboticsSafety standards blur the line between industrial robots and cobotsengineerRisk assessment must cover the entire robot cell, not just the type of robot.plant managerWhen installing a cobot, compliance of the whole application with safety requirements must be demonstrated.roboticsSchaeffler unveils formed strain wave gearboxes for humanoid robotssupplierAutomotive suppliers may find a new business opportunity in actuator components for humanoid robots.engineerGearbox technology is a cost and performance factor for humanoid actuators.energyRobots could consume 363 TWh of electricity a year by 2035energy specialistGrowth in the robot fleet is emerging as a new item in planning factory electricity demand.automationTate deploys 58 Hirebotics cobot welders across multiple facilitiesSME ownerCobot welding is within reach of smaller shops too, so replacing welding capacity is worth examining.skilled workerWelders' duties may shift toward supervising and programming the cobot.factoryBMW iFactory: multi-drivetrain assembly in Spartanburg, battery assembly in Woodruffplant managerRunning several drivetrains on one line, together with AI quality control, sets the benchmark for flexible manufacturing.supplierBattery assembly and EV readiness mean new supplier requirements.investmentHadrian raises $1.37B to accelerate U.S. defense and aerospace manufacturingsupplierThe rise of automated precision manufacturers also affects the competitive position of traditional parts suppliers.investmentUK deeptech startup Isembard closes $50 million Series A to expand AI-powered factory networksupplierAI-driven manufacturing networks are emerging as new competitors in parts production.investmentUK government commits £130 million to CAM Pathfinder self-driving vehicle projects, securing over 1,800 jobssupplierFunding available for developing the self-driving vehicle supply chain signals a new grant opportunity.automationProtolabs uses AI to make parts within 24 hoursSME ownerThe 24-hour manufacturing service competes with local workshops on prototype and small-batch sourcing.engineerFast part sourcing shortens development iterations.automationPepsiCo tests its factories in software before ordering steelplant managerVirtual layout testing before expansion can reduce investment risk.engineerLayouts can be tested with AI before physical rebuilding begins.energyACCIONA Energía uses AI to raise Chile's grid transmission capacity by 60%energy specialistAI-based increases in transmission capacity can improve grid utilization even without building new lines.roboticsMaximo says its robots have installed 180,000 solar panelsenergy specialistRobotic solar installation may affect the pace and cost of building solar plants.supply chainMG Ship brings AI logistics intelligence platform to Europelogistics specialistA new AI-based logistics service is available on the European market and is worth comparing with existing solutions.caseDEF CON hackers add new muscle to water utility protection with digital twins and AIenergy specialistDigital twin-based testing is also available for protecting utility infrastructure.