PG&E and Westbank Propose Innovative Net Zero Community in San Jose, Combining AI Data Centers and Housing

2 Sources

A partnership between PG&E and Westbank has proposed a groundbreaking net zero community in downtown San Jose, featuring AI-driven data centers and residential units. The project aims to address the growing demand for AI computing infrastructure and housing while promoting sustainability.

News article

Innovative Net Zero Community Proposed in San Jose

In a groundbreaking move, real estate developer Westbank and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) have announced a proposal for an innovative net zero community in downtown San Jose. The project, unveiled at PG&E's 2024 Innovation Summit, aims to address the growing demands for artificial intelligence (AI) computing infrastructure and housing while promoting sustainability 1.

Project Overview

The proposed development includes:

  • Three new data centers
  • Up to 4,000 residential units
  • A district energy system
  • Approximately 200 megawatts of energy delivery by PG&E

This ambitious project seeks to transform downtown San Jose by responding to the increasing need for AI-driven data centers and housing, while supporting the city's commitment to a net zero future 12.

Sustainable Energy Solution

At the heart of the proposal is an innovative district energy system that connects the data centers with the surrounding community. This system will harness excess heat from the data centers and repurpose it to provide heating and hot water to neighboring buildings. The benefits of this approach include:

  1. More efficient use of electricity powering the data centers
  2. Lower electricity costs for tenants connected to the system
  3. Reduced carbon footprints for connected buildings
  4. Support for cost-effective and sustainable future development in downtown San Jose 1

Key Partnerships and Support

The project has garnered support from various stakeholders:

  • San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its potential to change urban development and energy practices 1.
  • Plug and Play, a global innovation platform, plans to be the first tenant with their AI Center of Excellence, which will include an accelerator, exhibition halls, and a learning center 1.
  • PG&E is a founding partner of the AI Center of Excellence 1.

Impact on AI and Technology Sector

This project represents a significant step in addressing the infrastructure needs of the rapidly growing AI industry. By combining AI-driven data centers with residential development, the proposal offers a unique solution to the dual challenges of technological advancement and urban housing shortages 2.

Future Implications

The proposed net zero community in San Jose could serve as a model for future urban development projects that aim to balance technological progress, housing needs, and sustainability goals. As cities worldwide grapple with similar challenges, this initiative may provide valuable insights into creating more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced urban environments 12.

As the project moves forward, it will be crucial to monitor its implementation, assess its impact on the local community and environment, and evaluate its potential for replication in other urban centers facing similar challenges in the AI era.

Explore today's top stories

Elon Musk's xAI Open-Sources Grok 2.5, Promises Grok 3 Release in Six Months

Elon Musk's AI company xAI has open-sourced the Grok 2.5 model on Hugging Face, making it available for developers to access and explore. Musk also announced plans to open-source Grok 3 in about six months, signaling a commitment to transparency and innovation in AI development.

TechCrunch logoengadget logoDataconomy logo

7 Sources

Technology

20 hrs ago

Elon Musk's xAI Open-Sources Grok 2.5, Promises Grok 3

Nvidia Unveils Plans for Light-Based GPU Interconnects by 2026, Revolutionizing AI Data Centers

Nvidia announces plans to implement silicon photonics and co-packaged optics for AI GPU communication by 2026, promising higher transfer rates and lower power consumption in next-gen AI data centers.

Tom's Hardware logoDataconomy logo

2 Sources

Technology

4 hrs ago

Nvidia Unveils Plans for Light-Based GPU Interconnects by

Netflix Unveils Generative AI Guidelines for Content Creation

Netflix has released new guidelines for using generative AI in content production, outlining low-risk and high-risk scenarios and emphasizing responsible use while addressing industry concerns.

Mashable logoDataconomy logo

2 Sources

Technology

4 hrs ago

Netflix Unveils Generative AI Guidelines for Content

Breakthrough in Spintronics: Turning Spin Loss into Energy for Ultra-Low-Power AI Chips

Scientists at KIST have developed a new device principle that utilizes "spin loss" as a power source for magnetic control, potentially revolutionizing the field of spintronics and paving the way for ultra-low-power AI chips.

ScienceDaily logonewswise logo

2 Sources

Technology

4 hrs ago

Breakthrough in Spintronics: Turning Spin Loss into Energy

Cloudflare Unveils New Zero Trust Tools for Secure AI Adoption in Enterprises

Cloudflare introduces new features for its Cloudflare One zero-trust platform, aimed at helping organizations securely adopt, build, and deploy generative AI applications while maintaining security and privacy standards.

SiliconANGLE logoMarket Screener logo

2 Sources

Technology

4 hrs ago

Cloudflare Unveils New Zero Trust Tools for Secure AI
TheOutpost.ai

Your Daily Dose of Curated AI News

Don’t drown in AI news. We cut through the noise - filtering, ranking and summarizing the most important AI news, breakthroughs and research daily. Spend less time searching for the latest in AI and get straight to action.

© 2025 Triveous Technologies Private Limited
Instagram logo
LinkedIn logo