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AI has an energy problem.

Behind every model is a huge amount of compute—thousands of specialised machines (GPUs) running non-stop in data centres, burning through electricity not just to process data, but to keep everything cool.

As AI adoption accelerates, so does its energy demand.

And it’s starting to put real pressure on global infrastructure.

To put it into perspective: data centres—the backbone of AI—accounted for around 1–1.5% of global electricity consumption in 2024.

By 2030, that figure is expected to more than double to over 1,000 TWh, according to the International Energy Agency.

In other words, the smarter our models get… the more power they need.

….put them in space!

The race for space!

Aetherflux is a renewable energy startup building technology to capture solar power in space.

They’re part of a growing wave of companies exploring a bold idea: moving energy—and even data infrastructure—beyond Earth’s limits.

The thinking is simple. In space, solar energy is constant, abundant, and uninterrupted.

Aetherflux is betting on that—tapping into near-limitless solar power to unlock entirely new possibilities, especially for energy-hungry technologies like AI.

How does it work?

Aetherflux is building orbital data centre satellites—essentially taking compute infrastructure into space.

Up there, they can tap directly into continuous solar power, sidestepping many of the energy constraints we face on Earth.

But it’s not just one satellite.

The vision is a whole network—what they call a “Galactic Brain”—a constellation of satellites working together to handle massive AI workloads in orbit.

Think of it as cloud computing… just not on Earth.

The Effect?

Space-based solar power has the potential to completely rethink how we generate and distribute energy.

Instead of relying on fragile, expensive infrastructure on the ground, power could be beamed from space—bypassing damaged grids, remote locations, or complex supply chains altogether.

That opens up some big possibilities.

Imagine an American power grid… in space. One that can support AI compute in orbit, while also delivering energy back to hard-to-reach or contested areas on Earth.

It’s ambitious—but the implications are huge.

As systems like those being developed by Aetherflux evolve, they’re not just pushing forward space tech—they’re accelerating the future of AI and hinting at a world where energy is far more abundant than it is today.

Key Takeaways

1. Constraints create new frontiers
AI’s energy problem isn’t just a limitation—it’s driving entirely new industries. When core infrastructure hits a ceiling, the next wave of innovation often happens somewhere unexpected… even space.

2. Think beyond incremental solutions
Most people look to optimise what exists. The biggest opportunities come from rethinking the system entirely. Moving compute and energy off Earth sounds extreme—but that’s the point.

3. Follow second-order effects
AI demand → energy strain → new infrastructure → new markets. The real opportunities often sit one or two steps removed from the obvious trend.