The landscape of high-performance computing is evolving, and Sharon AI is at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of sustainable data infrastructure. In a bold new collaboration, Sharon AI has announced a joint venture with New Era Helium to establish a 90-megawatt net-zero data center in the heart of Texas’ Permian Basin. This venture promises to bring together the power of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and sustainable energy solutions in a groundbreaking way.
Read the official press release here.
Why is Sharon AI Partnering with New Era Helium?
Sharon AI has consistently pushed the envelope in high-compute infrastructure, from AI training to cloud GPU compute. But why partner with New Era Helium, a company known for its helium and natural gas operations? The answer lies in the unique synergies between energy and data infrastructure.
By leveraging New Era Helium’s vast 137,000-acre Pecos Slope Field, which is already active in natural gas production, Sharon AI can tap into a reliable energy source to power their high-density Tier 3 data centers. These facilities are designed to handle the most demanding AI workloads, which require significant energy resources.
New Era Helium’s CEO, E. Will Gray II, sees this partnership as a strategic move to transform natural gas byproducts into valuable electricity. As he aptly puts it, “Electricity, like helium, is a critical component in the ongoing use of cloud computing and artificial intelligence.”
How Will This Data Center Achieve Net Zero Emissions?
In an era where sustainability is more than a buzzword, Sharon AI and New Era Helium are committed to making their joint venture not just another data center but a sustainable powerhouse. The 90 MW data center will employ carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology to sequester up to 250,000 metric tons of CO2 annually. This move is strategically designed to meet eligibility for lucrative 45Q tax credits, making the facility not just environmentally responsible but also financially sustainable.
The gas-fired power plant that will feed the data center is set to convert the natural gas from New Era Helium’s field into electricity. This dual-purpose approach maximizes the utility of their natural gas resources while ensuring minimal environmental impact.
What Makes Liquid Cooling a Game-Changer for AI Workloads?
One of the standout features of the upcoming Sharon AI data center is its use of direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology. But why is this such a big deal? Unlike traditional air-cooled data centers, liquid cooling is highly efficient, enabling the facility to handle high-density compute workloads with lower power consumption. This means Sharon AI can support intensive AI training and inference processes without compromising on energy efficiency.
Wolf Schubert, CEO of Sharon AI, is particularly excited about this technological integration. “We are thrilled to build Tier 3 direct-to-chip liquid cooling data centers in the U.S. alongside New Era Helium. This partnership combines our expertise in high-computed data center development with their energy infrastructure capabilities,” he explains.
Could This Partnership Attract Hyperscalers?
A critical aspect of this venture is its appeal to hyperscalers and other major energy users. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, this facility is set to become a hot spot for companies seeking powerful AI computing capabilities. By leveraging Sharon AI’s partnerships with tech giants like NVIDIA and Lenovo, the data center is designed to adhere to the NVIDIA Cloud Partner standard architecture, ensuring maximum performance for demanding AI and cloud workloads.
John Lipman, co-CEO of Roth CH Acquisition V, highlights the venture’s market potential: “By leveraging substantial natural gas deposits for energy-intensive AI data centers, this project creates new avenues for revenue and growth.” As New Era Helium positions itself for a public listing on Nasdaq, this partnership further underscores its focus on diversifying into tech-driven energy solutions.
What’s Next for Sharon AI & New Era Helium?
The Sharon AI and New Era Helium collaboration is more than just a data center project—it’s a blueprint for the future of sustainable, high-compute infrastructure. As the demand for AI-driven data centers continues to skyrocket, the integration of advanced cooling systems and renewable energy sources will become crucial for staying competitive in the market.
But the joint venture is only the beginning. The companies are already exploring options to expand beyond the initial 90 MW capacity, with potential plans for additional facilities in the future. This ambitious growth trajectory aligns with Sharon AI’s vision of revolutionizing the HPC landscape by integrating energy efficiency and sustainability at every step.
Beyond the Horizon: AI, Energy, and the Future of Data Centers
In an industry where agility and innovation are key, the Sharon AI and New Era Helium collaboration exemplifies how companies can leverage their strengths to achieve common goals. By turning natural gas into a sustainable energy source, Sharon AI is not just building another data center; it’s laying the groundwork for a future where AI, energy, and sustainability converge. As the project gains momentum, it will be fascinating to see how this venture influences the broader landscape of AI-powered, energy-efficient data centers.
For more insights and updates, stay tuned to Sharon AI’s journey as it redefines the boundaries of technology and sustainability.
