Washington County Commissioners, from left, Charlie Schilling, James Booth, and Kevin Ritter submit an application for funding for the Organization for Clean Energy and Climate's (OCEC) Computing Thermal Recycling Center Education Program at SAI Discuss letters of support to SAI.TECH for. .TECH US R&D Center in Reno. (Photo provided by Michelle Dillon)
During Thursday's commission meeting, Washington County commissioners approved issuing letters of support for companies operating thermal recycling computing centers to apply for grants to start educational programs.
Commissioners unanimously approved a letter of support for SAI.TECH to apply for a grant from the Organization for Clean Energy and Climate (OCEC) Computing Heath Recycling Center Education Program.
According to the company's website, SAI.TECH is a Singapore-based heat recycling computing center operator focused on providing clean computing services based on liquid cooling and chip waste heat utilization technologies.
SAI.TECH opened its U.S. Research and Development Center, also known as the Computing Heath Technology Development and Recycling Center, in May 2023 at 550 Gravel Bank Road in Marietta. The purpose of this center is to study the recycling of computer heat for use in agricultural and commercial applications. , residential and industrial activities.
SAI.TECH sponsors the OCEC Computing Heath Recycling Center Education Program, operated by OCEC, a nonprofit corporation promoting decarbonization solutions. Introduction of renewable energy. Academic research related to cryptocurrencies, climate, and carbon. Sustainable development, according to the OCEC website.
In a letter of support approved by the commissioners, the commissioners said the project includes a large greenhouse that will serve as an impressive learning laboratory for students and community service through growing and distributing vegetables in the greenhouse during the winter. Opportunity is included, he said.
“Students in our county school districts will greatly benefit from the hands-on learning opportunities at this facility.” was written in the letter. “The computer server and heat exchange system also provides students with a working model of this cutting-edge technology.”
The first application of heat recycling being carried out at the Research and Development Center is to provide low-cost heat to greenhouses. The OCEC Computing Heath Recycling Center Education Program offers students the opportunity to learn about computing data centers, computing heat capture, and the supply and recycling applications of this technology with instruction both on campus and on-site. , said Dr. Tao Wi of SAI. said .TECH Chief Operating Officer and OCEC Board Member.
“We believe that with the rapid growth of computing data centers, the heat generated by computing will accelerate, so it must be recycled and used as an energy source.” Mr. Wu said.
Wu said OCEC is applying for grants to cover the costs of purchasing equipment, curriculum development, and education and training for student vegetable growing experiences.
SAI.TECH promised to lease greenhouses to OCEC free of charge, provide heat and other utilities free of charge, and provide on-site guidance and management of the program free of charge, Wu said.
SAI.TECH and OCEC decided to locate the project in Washington County because SAI.TECH has a U.S. research and development center here and received strong support from the county and local community. Washington County also has a very strong agricultural industry, Wu said of why the project is located in Marietta.
According to OCEC's grant application for the project, the students they hope to involve in the project are high school and college students from the Mid-Ohio Valley who are interested in AI, blockchain data centers, computing heat recycling system applications, and community service. That's what it means.
The grant application states that the project will support an estimated 5,000 students per year.
SAI.TECH and OCEC will donate the produce grown in their greenhouses to food pantries and students facing food insecurity, and estimate they can help 60 people in this way, the grant application states. has been done.
The project also includes collaboration between the Ohio State University Washington County Extension Office, Belpre City Schools, Fort Frye Local Schools and Warren Local Schools, according to the grant application.
The application states the district will collaborate by coordinating school-based learning curriculum and on-site education at the project site. Washington County Harvest of Hope will collaborate through an arrangement to harvest vegetables grown in greenhouses and distribute them to food pantries and area meal sites during the cold season.
Other topics addressed at Thursday's committee meeting included:
*Washington Morgan Community Action is offering free Community Action Bus Line (CABL) rides to promote Ohio Loves Transit Week from February 11th to 17th. Approved a resolution to authorize. If you have any questions, please contact Washington Morgan Community Action at 740-343-375 or 740-962-3827.
*Appropriated $109,988.57 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for contract services.
*18 approved “Then and Now” items (on orders over $100).
*Approved Bill 13 for Devola Sewer Improvement Phase 2 for $560.889.87. The funds available to complete the project are $5,136,120.06.
*Approved contract with Veregy to modernize courthouse elevators.
Michelle Dillon can be reached at [email protected].
