KOUDY: Aye, typicka muskovina...
Colossus 2 is a massive AI data center in Memphis, Tennessee, developed by Elon Musk's xAI, which relies heavily on dozens of industrial gas turbines to provide the immense power required to run approximately 555,000 NVIDIA GPUs. The facility is designed to reach a 1 to 2-gigawatt (GW) capacity to train the Grok AI model.
Key details regarding the gas turbines for Colossus 2 include:
Usage and Numbers: Reports indicate 35 to 59 gas generators/turbines have been deployed to power the site.
Environmental Concerns: The turbines have raised significant environmental and health concerns due to their emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and formaldehyde, with critics stating they could emit over 2,000 tons of smog-forming pollutants annually.
Regulatory Issues: Similar to the first Colossus facility, xAI has faced scrutiny for using these turbines without proper permits, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruling that the use of such generators falls under federal regulation.
Power Strategy: While the gas turbines serve as a bridge, xAI is also incorporating Tesla Megapacks for energy buffering and is working toward a permanent grid connection, though near-term power deficits have necessitated the use of on-site, temporary generation.
Capacity: The facility is designed for 1.5 to 2 GW of power to support the "largest AI site" in the world, with plans for 15 permanent turbines.
Environmental groups and community organizations in Memphis have actively opposed the use of these turbines, citing poor air quality in the surrounding area.