RiverbankTechnology Center
Aerial view of the Riverbank Industrial Complex: long industrial buildings, rail lines, and parking, with farmland beyond

Riverbank Industrial Complex · Riverbank, California

A Sustainable Computing Facility.

Riverbank Technology Center is a joint project by Aemetis and Spartan at the existing Riverbank Industrial Complex, and our first project built to the Sustainable Computing Facility standard. No City of Riverbank utility water. No higher local electricity prices. No large, loud generators or gas turbines for day-to-day power.

About the project Read our commitments
5300 Claus Rd, Riverbank, CA
Interior of a large industrial building with high ceilings and equipment on the floor
ReuseHoused inside existing buildings, not new construction.

The project

A computing facility inside the Riverbank Industrial Complex.

A modern, modular computing facility that will reuse existing buildings and land at the Riverbank Industrial Complex, putting a portion of the site back to work for a clean, quiet purpose.

  1. Reuse

    Existing structures that once housed an aluminum smelter and U.S. Army ammunition casings production.

  2. Setback

    All computing equipment will be located inside existing buildings, more than 200 feet from the street.

  3. Zoning

    Land already zoned for industrial use rather than agricultural. No farmland converted.

  4. Scale

    One of the more than 30 tenants at the complex. A modular, medium-sized computing facility, not a mega data center.

The numbers

Expected local impact.

The project

0
Continuous water usage for coolingClosed-loop systems. The initial fill comes from non-drinkable industrial water from on-site wells, not City of Riverbank utility water.
200+
Feet from the streetAll computing equipment will be located inside existing buildings.
30+
Tenants at the complexRTC will be one of them: a modular, medium-sized computing facility, not a mega data center.

What Riverbank gets back

Increased
Property tax revenueNew property tax revenue every year, providing funding for schools, Stanislaus County, and the City of Riverbank.
100s
Construction-related jobsIncluding electricians, pipefitters, steelworkers, and carpenters, plus longer-term jobs in electrical services, maintenance, deliveries, and supplies.

Property taxes paid by the project fund schools, local governments, fire protection, libraries, and parks. Based on current project planning.

Sustainable by design

Water, power, and noise.

Much of the national concern around data center development is rooted in legitimate questions about water use, noise, pollution, and utility rates. A Sustainable Computing Facility is designed to address these concerns directly.

Simplified closed-loop cooling illustrationNon-drinkable industrial water from on-site wells provides the initial fill for a closed-loop cooling system that recirculates water like a car radiator. On-site wellsinitial fill Computinghoused indoors Low-noisechillers
Simplified illustration, not to scale.

  1. Water

    Zero continuous water usage for cooling. Closed-loop systems recirculate cooling water, much like the radiator in a car. Water for the initial fill and maintenance is minimal, about the quantity of a typical community swimming pool, and comes from non-drinkable industrial water drawn from on-site wells. No City of Riverbank utility water will be sourced or impacted.

  2. Power

    Sourced from the California grid outside the Riverbank area, drawing on hydroelectric and other sources, using existing grid and transmission capacity built for the site's prior heavy industrial uses. RTC will pay for any utility upgrades the project requires, so it does not raise local electricity prices for Riverbank households and businesses.

  3. Quiet

    No reliance on large, loud generators or gas turbines for day-to-day power. Any potential future onsite power systems are designed to minimize local air-quality impact. With low-noise chillers, noise stays below levels already allowed by the industrial setting.

The five parts of the Sustainable Computing Facility standard
TopicThe Sustainable Computing Facility (SCF) standard
WaterZero continuous water usage for cooling
PowerSustainable power sourcing from non-local power production, using existing grid and transmission capacity
BuildingsReuse of existing industrial buildings
LandIndustrially-zoned land, not agricultural land
Tax revenueLarge, recurring local tax revenue

An SCF is a second-generation approach to delivering computing services. Riverbank Technology Center will be our first project built to the SCF standard.

Responsible Development Commitments

How we will plan, build, and operate.

Published to show the Riverbank community, city leaders, and Stanislaus County officials how we will plan, build, and operate the Riverbank Technology Center project.

  1. Protect the local grid and electricity rates

  2. Use water responsibly

  3. Keep operations clean and quiet

  4. Design with neighbors in mind, on industrial land

  5. Engage regularly with the community

  6. Explain community benefits clearly

  7. Follow through on our commitments

Download the full PDF

Rooted in Riverbank

A partner in this community for years.

Long before this project, Aemetis has been part of Riverbank, supporting local events, education, and families. These moments are why we lead with community.

Fourth of July community celebration in Riverbank
Fourth of July
United We Float community event
United We Float
Supporting Riverbank's local police
Local Police Partnership
Community bike ride
Community Bike Ride

Who we are

Aemetis and Spartan.

Aemetis has invested in the Riverbank community for many years, and Spartan brings engineering and delivery experience to design and build modern, modular computing facilities.

  1. Aemetis

    A leading developer and producer of renewable fuels and low-carbon energy. Master developer of the Riverbank Industrial Complex since 2022, and one of the largest property taxpayers in Stanislaus County.

  2. Spartan

    Engineering and delivery experience to design and build modern, modular computing facilities.

  3. Riverbank Technology Center

    Our first project built to the Sustainable Computing Facility standard, designed to enable community-first development at the Riverbank Industrial Complex.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Don't see yours? Get in touch.

What is a "Sustainable Computing Facility"?

A second-generation approach to delivering computing services, defined by five criteria: zero continuous water usage for cooling, sustainable power sourcing, reuse of existing industrial buildings, industrially-zoned land rather than agricultural land, and large, recurring local tax revenue. Riverbank Technology Center will be our first project built to the SCF standard.

How much water will it use, and where does it come from?

There is zero continuous water usage for cooling. Closed-loop systems recirculate cooling water, much like a car radiator. Water for the initial fill and maintenance is minimal, about the quantity of a typical community swimming pool, and comes from non-drinkable industrial water drawn from on-site wells, not Riverbank's drinking water supply.

Will my electricity rates go up?

RTC will pay for any utility upgrades the project requires, so it does not raise local electricity prices for Riverbank households and businesses. Electricity will be sourced from the California grid outside the Riverbank area, using existing grid and transmission capacity built for the site's prior heavy industrial uses.

How loud will it be?

All computing equipment will be located inside existing buildings, more than 200 feet from the street. RTC will not rely on large, loud generators or gas turbines for day-to-day power, and with low-noise chillers, noise will stay below levels already allowed by the industrial setting.

Why the Riverbank Industrial Complex?

Its power and grid infrastructure was originally built to serve heavy industrial production, first as an aluminum reduction (smelting) plant and later for ammunition production. An SCF puts underused industrial property to work rather than converting farmland.

Who are Aemetis and Spartan?

Aemetis is a leading developer and producer of renewable fuels and low-carbon energy. It became master developer of the Riverbank Industrial Complex in 2022 and is one of the largest property taxpayers in Stanislaus County. Spartan brings engineering and delivery experience to design and build modern, modular computing facilities.

Contact

Get in touch.

Whether you're a neighbor curious about the project or a business partner exploring an opportunity, we welcome the conversation.

Send us a message

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Email us directly

info@riverbanktc.com

5300 Claus Rd, Riverbank, CA 95367