The town of Abilene, Texas, has just over 125,000 people living there. Historically, it’s been known as a cattle trail stopping point but will now be home to a 200-megawatt data center. It was announced at the end of July 2024 that Crusoe, a crypto mining company, now an AI firm, had designed and engineered a 200MW data center. The center is to be placed at the Lancium Clean Campus, just outside of Abilene. 

Lancium, a Houston-based tech company, struck a multi-billion dollar deal with Crusoe Energy and the president of Lancium confirmed that at its full capacity, this data center would be one of the biggest in the world. This move by Crusoe Energy from crypto mining to AI is proof of a shift to power AI at full speed while crypto mining may be slowly becoming a thing of the past. 

However, the perks of cryptocurrency mean it’s still as relevant as ever. With more widespread adoption than ever via online shopping with crypto, its use in the food and beverage sector, and specialized online gambling via high roller casinos, cryptocurrency is still very much a big deal and constantly growing. According to casino expert Nick Pappas, in the iGaming sector especially, the perks crypto payments provide, like anonymity, better bonuses and VIP programs, and faster payouts are causing players everywhere to flock to offshore casinos that offer them to get a taste of these benefits.  

However, despite cryptocurrencies still garnering a great reputation for being lucrative, in Abilene, they are no longer a sustainable option as they no longer yield as many profits as before from what was once a booming mining sector across the state. The collaboration between Crusoe and Lancium brings together expertise in AI infrastructure and energy technology, respectively—a move that is being seen as a farewell to crypto operations there in favor of embracing AI now. 

The partnership aims to create a sustainable and efficient data center capable of handling the immense computational power required for AI research and development. As Chase Lochmiller, CEO and co-founder of Crusoe explains, data centers are rapidly evolving and have become crucial as AI-support systems. However, this support requires “new levels of high-density rack space, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, and unprecedented overall energy demands.”

The engineering and architecture departments that went to work on the plans for the new data center have truly outdone themselves. The high-density data halls are optimized to accommodate the latest AI physical architecture. It also has advanced the way it implements cooling and rear-door heat exchangers for maximum efficiency. It is also designed to accommodate future growth and expansion, with plans to reach 1.2 gigawatts of capacity.

The construction of this massive AI data center signifies a new era for Abilene. As the facility comes online and begins operations, it’s poised to become a catalyst for innovation, driving advancements in artificial intelligence and creating opportunities for businesses and researchers alike. 

The data center can serve as a catalyst for AI research and development, attracting top talent and fostering innovation. Collaboration with local universities and colleges can create opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in the tech industry. The data center is set to be officially opened and run in 2025.