Sunrun, a company specializing in energy solutions, is developing an ambitious project to establish a decentralized artificial intelligence (AI) server network among its customers. This initiative proposes a 'dissolved' data center model, spread across various residences, as an alternative to large data processing centers.
The company intends to install specific computers in customers who already use Sunrun's services, such as battery storage systems and solar power generation. To encourage participation, Sunrun mentioned the possibility of offering some form of financial compensation to these users.
According to information released by The Verge, after consolidating this system, Sunrun will commercialize access to this vast home network for AI companies. Currently, interested parties can sign up for the pilot project, which is restricted to the United States.
Currently, AI relies on servers located in large complexes, which demand considerable energy and water consumption, especially for cooling systems. This scenario has caused significant problems for residents in adjacent areas, including electricity peaks and water scarcity.
Recent research confirms this concern, indicating that 71% of US citizens are opposed to the construction of new data centers near their homes. The solution proposed by Sunrun aims to mitigate this impact by dispersing small network nodes in different locations.
The computers designated for the project are desktop-sized and will be entirely powered by the energy produced and stored by Sunrun itself. The management and monitoring of these equipment will remain the responsibility of the company, with the user only needing to provide the necessary physical space for the project to operate.
Theoretically, there are advantages for participants, as there will be no maintenance costs since Sunrun will manage everything. Additionally, customers could receive some form of remuneration for hosting the servers. However, the question arises as to how this payment will be made, given that users already pay for basic energy services. It is possible that the compensation will be limited to discounts. Furthermore, the additional equipment will imply energy consumption, space occupation, and heat generation within the residence.
