Intel to build $700 million data center ‘mega lab’ in Hillsboro

Intel has announced that it is developing a $700 million research lab in Hillsboro, Oregon, which will focus on sustainable data center technology. To be located at the company’s Jones Farm campus, the lab will span 200,000 sq ft (18,580 sqm) and is expected to open next year. According to the company, the lab will explore heating, cooling and water usage.

Speaking about the lab, Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway, said: “We are incredibly excited about this announcement of a ‘Mega Laboratory’ coming to the Jones Farm campus. This latest $700 million investment positions our community well into the future as the central location for Intel’s Research and Development. It’s a great day to be in Hillsboro, Oregon.”

Meanwhile, Dan Dias, economic and community development director, Hillsboro, commented: “This project also exemplifies why Hillsboro, Washington County, the Portland region, and the State of Oregon are the national semiconductor innovation hub and should be a focus of federal consideration for further investment and support to maintain the United States’ and the State of Oregon’s global leadership within this critical industry."

Alongside the announcement of the research lab, the company also introduced the tech industry’s first open intellectual property (open IP) immersion liquid cooling solution and reference design. The company described it as an “open, easy-to-deploy and easily scalable total cooling solution,” adding that it will enable partners to “accelerate the introduction of Intel solutions in response to the trend of increasing data center power density to enhance operational efficiency.”

Reflecting on the two announcements, Sandra L. Rivera, Intel executive vice president and general manager of the Datacenter and AI Group, said: “Intel’s dedication to its global partnerships is evident with these announcements today. The future of the data center and data center design is based on innovative and sustainable technologies and practices, and I’m proud of the work we’re doing every day to help make a sustainable future a reality.”