ADELE PETERS

Adele Peters is a staff writer at Fast Company who focuses on solutions to some of the world's largest problems, from climate change to homelessness. Previously, she worked with GOOD, BioLite, and the Sustainable Products and Solutions program at UC Berkeley.
Technology

What if AI data centers didn’t need new power plants?

Rune taps into extra renewable energy to run its modular data centers.
What if AI data centers didn’t need new power plants
Technology

How much energy does agentic AI actually use? One scientist tracked every prompt he sent

Tech companies say typical AI prompts use little energy. Zeke Hausfather’s experiment suggests AI agents are a different story.
How much energy does agentic AI actually use One scientist tracked every prompt he sent
Co.Design

Denim has a water problem. Can this new digital dye solve it?

A startup called Wtrlss designed a better way to make blue jeans.
Denim has a water problem. Can this new digital dye solve it
Technology

The world’s largest ‘biological datacenter’ could help make animal testing obsolete

Vivodyne’s AI experiments on lab-grown human tissue could soon replace the need to test drugs on mice or dogs—and the approach has the potential to create drugs that work better.
The world’s largest ‘biological datacenter’ could help make animal testing obsolete
Technology

This startup wants to turn your water heater into a smart thermal battery

Reservoir’s ultra-efficient water heater can save you money by running when electricity is cheap—and help the grid make better use of renewable energy.
This startup wants to turn your water heater into a smart thermal battery
Co.Design

This super-white coating was inspired by a beetle’s scales

Made from cellulose, the sustainable material is an alternative to titanium dioxide. Ikea is already experimenting with it.
This super-white coating was inspired by a beetle’s scales
Technology

This stunning map shows the world’s electric grid in detail

The grid can seem abstract. This map lets you see it all in one place.
This stunning map shows the world’s electric grid in detail
Technology

Forever chemicals are hidden in farm soil. Scientists found a new way to remove them

Existing methods of PFAS cleanup are expensive. A new approach is an order of magnitude cheaper—and could also help fight climate change.
Technology

Forget AI training data. This startup learned from slime mold

Mireta’s software taps into slime mold’s natural ability for urban planning.
Impact

The environmental cost of putting data centers in space

SpaceX and startups like Starcloud want to put solar-powered data centers in orbit. There are challenges.