xAI's Memphis data center draws ~150 MW but gets only ~7 MW from the grid
Ep. 654 The Intersection of AI and Cryptocurrency with Akash Network (CRYPTO 101)
“The data center [that trained] Grok is based in Memphis, Tennessee. And that is currently drawing about 150 megawatts… and it’s only drawing about seven megawatts from the grid. So the rest of the energy, they’re actually burning… LNG to power, because in America, it’s nearly impossible now to get anything over 10 megawatts.” — 00:12:57
Context: Illustrating training’s energy demands (he says Grok 3 needed ~35 MW / ~35,000 NVIDIA chips, with training energy “doubling every two years,” 00:11:22-00:12:12); he adds that South Memphis respiratory illness and a looming lawsuit mean “AI right now is killing people” (00:17:33).