Using Advanced Augmented Reality to Improve Data Center Project Delivery

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Species Unite

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Andrew Stein: Living with Lions 46:39

9 วันที่แล้ว46:39

ลิสต์เล่นในภายหลัง

ลิสต์

ถูกใจ

ที่ถูกใจแล้ว

46:39

“If we march into that village and we start trying to persecute people for using poison, something that's very illegal, nobody's going to talk to us. We're not going to find out where the poison came from. We're not going to be able to shut anything down. We should take the approach that people are using poison because they're desperate, because they see no other alternative.” – Andrew Stein Andrew Stein is a wildlife ecologist who spent the past 25 years studying human carnivore conflict from African wild dogs and lions in Kenya and Botswana to leopards and hyenas in Namibia. His work has long focused on finding ways for people and predators to coexist. He is the founder of CLAWS , an organization based in Botswana that's working at the intersection of cutting-edge wildlife research and community driven conservation. Since its start in 2014 and official launch as an NGO in 2020, CLAWS has been pioneering science-based, tech-forward strategies to reduce conflict between people and carnivores. By collaborating closely with local communities, especially traditional cattle herders, CLAWS supports both species conservation and rural livelihoods—making coexistence not just possible, but sustainable.…

ประมาณหนึ่งปีที่แล้ว 17:09

MP3•หน้าโฮมของตอน

In this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show, Matt Vincent, Editor in Chief of Data Center Frontier, is joined by Waleed Zafar, Mission Critical Director at XYZ Reality to discuss using augmented reality to improve Data Center project delivery. XYZ Reality is a leading developer of augmented reality (AR) solutions for construction that give contractors and owners an accurate and objective way to manage and deliver quality projects.

109 ตอน

#Tech #Rich Miller

The Data Center Frontier Show

Using Advanced Augmented Reality to Improve Data Center Project Delivery

The Data Center Frontier Show

published ประมาณหนึ่งปีที่แล้ว

แบ่งปัน

MP3•หน้าโฮมของตอน

109 ตอน

#Tech #Rich Miller

ทุกตอน

The Data Center Frontier Show

1
Vaire Computing Bets on Reversible Logic for 'Near Zero Energy' AI Data Centers 31:00

4 วันที่แล้ว31:00

31:00

The AI revolution is charging ahead—but powering it shouldn't cost us the planet. That tension lies at the heart of Vaire Computing’s bold proposition: rethinking the very logic that underpins silicon to make chips radically more energy efficient. Speaking on the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, Vaire CEO Rodolfo Rossini laid out a compelling case for why the next era of compute won't just be about scaling transistors—but reinventing the way they work. “Moore's Law is coming to an end, at least for classical CMOS,” Rossini said. “There are a number of potential architectures out there—quantum and photonics are the most well known. Our bet is that the future will look a lot like existing CMOS, but the logic will look very, very, very different.” That bet is reversible computing—a largely untapped architecture that promises major gains in energy efficiency by recovering energy lost during computation. Product, Not IP Unlike some chip startups focused on licensing intellectual property, Vaire is playing to win with full-stack product development. “Right now we’re not really planning to license. We really want to build product,” Rossini emphasized. “It’s very important today, especially from the point of view of the customer. It’s not just the hardware—it’s the hardware and software.” Rossini points to Nvidia’s CUDA ecosystem as the gold standard for integrated hardware/software development. “The reason why Nvidia is so great is because they spent a decade perfecting their CUDA stack,” he said. “You can’t really think of a chip company being purely a hardware company anymore. Better hardware is the ticket to the ball—and the software is how you get to dance.” A great metaphor for a company aiming to rewrite the playbook on compute logic. The Long Game: Reimagining Chips Without Breaking the System In an industry where even incremental change can take years to implement, Vaire Computing is taking a pragmatic approach to a deeply ambitious goal: reimagining chip architecture through reversible computing — but without forcing the rest of the computing stack to start over. “We call it the Near-Zero Energy Chip,” said Rossini. “And by that we mean a chip that operates at the lowest possible energy point compared to classical chips—one that dissipates the least amount of energy, and where you can reuse the software and the manufacturing supply chain.” That last point is crucial. Vaire isn’t trying to uproot the hyperscale data center ecosystem — it's aiming to integrate into it. The company’s XPU architecture is designed to deliver breakthrough efficiency while remaining compatible with existing tooling, manufacturing processes, and software paradigms.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Key Data Center Infrastructure Imperatives for Harnessing AI with Vertiv’s Tony DeSpirito 20:48

16 วันที่แล้ว20:48

20:48

In this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, Matt Vincent, Editor-in-Chief of Data Center Frontier, talks to Tony DeSpirito, vice president of enterprise sales at Vertiv, about AI densification and how data centers can prepare for ever-growing rack power demands. They also explore cooling and physical infrastructure conundrums, and Vertiv’s AI roadshow.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Nomads at the Frontier: AI, Infrastructure, and Data Center Workforce Evolution at DCD New York 20:36

17 วันที่แล้ว20:36

20:36

The 25th anniversary of the latest Data Center Dynamics event in New York City last month ( DCD Connect NY 2025 ) brought record-breaking attendance, underscoring the accelerating pace of change in the digital infrastructure sector. At the heart of the discussions were evolving AI workloads, power and cooling challenges, and the crucial role of workforce development. Welcoming Data Center Frontier at their show booth were Phill Lawson-Shanks of Aligned Data Centers and Phillip Koblence of NYI, who are respectively managing director and co-founder of the Nomad Futurist Foundation . Our conversation spanned the pressing issues shaping the industry, from the feasibility of AI factories to the importance of community-driven talent pipelines. The 25th anniversary of the latest Data Center Dynamics event in New York City last month ( DCD Connect NY 2025 ) brought record-breaking attendance, underscoring the accelerating pace of change in the digital infrastructure sector. At the heart of the discussions were evolving AI workloads, power and cooling challenges, and the crucial role of workforce development. Welcoming Data Center Frontier at their show booth were Phill Lawson-Shanks of Aligned Data Centers and Phillip Koblence of NYI, who are respectively managing director and co-founder of the Nomad Futurist Foundation . Our conversation spanned the pressing issues shaping the industry, from the feasibility of AI factories to the importance of community-driven talent pipelines.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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iMasons CEO Santiago Suinaga on the Future of Sustainable AI Data Centers 24:47

25 วันที่แล้ว24:47

24:47

For this episode of the DCF Show podcast, host Matt Vincent, Editor in Chief of Data Center Frontier, is joined by Santiago Suinaga, CEO of Infrastructure Masons (iMasons), to explore the urgent challenges of scaling data center construction while maintaining sustainability commitments, among other pertinent industry topics. The AI Race and Responsible Construction "Balancing scale and sustainability is key because the AI race is real," Suinaga emphasizes. "Forecasted capacities have skyrocketed to meet AI demand. Hyperscale end users and data center developers are deploying high volumes to secure capacity in an increasingly constrained global market." This surge in demand pressures the industry to build faster than ever before. Yet, as Suinaga notes, speed and sustainability must go hand in hand. "The industry must embrace a build fast, build smart mentality. Leveraging digital twin technology, AI-driven design optimization, and circular economy principles is critical." Sustainability, he argues, should be embedded at every stage of new builds, from integrating low-carbon materials to optimizing energy efficiency from the outset. "We can't afford to compromise sustainability for speed. Instead, we must integrate renewable energy sources and partner with local governments, utilities, and energy providers to accelerate responsible construction." A key example of this thinking is peak shaving—using redundant infrastructure and idle capacities to power the grid when data center demand is low. "99.99% of the time, this excess capacity can support local communities, while ensuring the data center retains prioritized energy supply when needed." Addressing Embodied Carbon and Supply Chain Accountability Decarbonization is a cornerstone of iMasons' efforts, particularly through the iMasons Climate Accord. Suinaga highlights the importance of tackling embodied carbon—the emissions embedded in data center construction materials and IT hardware. "We need standardized reporting metrics and supplier accountability to drive meaningful change," he says. "Greater transparency across the supply chain can be achieved through carbon labeling of materials and stricter procurement policies." To mitigate embodied emissions, companies should prioritize suppliers with validated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and invest in low-carbon alternatives like green concrete and recycled steel. "Collaboration across the industry will be essential to drive policy incentives for greener supply chains," Suinaga asserts. The Role of Modular and Prefabricated Builds As the industry seeks more efficient construction methods, modular and prefabricated builds are emerging as game changers. "They significantly reduce construction waste, improve quality control, and shorten deployment times," Suinaga explains. "By shifting a large portion of the build process to controlled environments, we can improve worker safety and optimize material usage. Companies leveraging prefabrication will gain a competitive edge in both cost savings and sustainability." Modular construction also presents financial advantages. "It allows for deferred CapEx investments, creating attractive internal rates of return (IRRs) for investors while reducing the risk of oversupply by aligning capacity with demand," Suinaga notes. However, he acknowledges that the approach has challenges, including potential supply chain constraints and quick time-to-market pressures during demand spikes. "Maintaining a recurrent production cycle and closely monitoring market conditions are key to ensuring capacity planning aligns with real-time needs." Innovation in Cooling and Water Use With AI workloads driving increasing power densities, the industry is rapidly shifting toward liquid cooling, immersion cooling, and heat reuse strategies. "We’re seeing innovations in direct-to-chip cooling and closed-loop water systems that significantly reduce water consumption," Suinaga says. "Some data centers are capturing and repurposing waste heat to provide energy to nearby facilities—an approach that needs to be scaled." Immersion cooling, he adds, offers the potential to shrink data center footprints and dramatically improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). "A hybrid approach combining air and liquid cooling is key," Suinaga explains. "There’s still uncertainty around the right mix of technologies, as hyperscalers need to support not just AI but also continued cloud growth. Flexibility in cooling design is now essential to accommodate a diverse range of workloads." Regulatory Pressures and the Future of Sustainability Standards Regulatory frameworks such as the SEC’s climate disclosure rules and Europe’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are pushing data center operators toward greater transparency. Suinaga believes these measures will enforce more accurate sustainability reporting and drive greener investment decisions. "This will push data center operators to adopt more energy-efficient designs early in the planning phase and, in the long term, standardize carbon reporting and create incentives for sustainable practices," he explains. He also highlights the role of investors and publicly traded companies in enforcing stricter climate reporting requirements across their portfolios. "At iMasons, we are refining existing reporting benchmarks and frameworks to provide the industry with a holistic view of best practices. This is an area where we aim to support data center operators with an analytical approach." The Road to Net Zero: Overcoming Challenges Despite ambitious net zero goals, execution remains a significant challenge. "The biggest roadblock to net zero is the availability of truly carbon-free energy and materials at scale," Suinaga states. Achieving net zero requires substantial investment in renewable infrastructure, grid connectivity improvements, and energy storage innovation. To accelerate progress, he emphasizes the importance of adopting circular economy practices, advocating for renewable energy policy support, and investing in next-generation cooling and power technologies. "The demand from AI is outpacing current power infrastructure and renewable options. While some net zero commitments may be delayed, investing in new technologies and clean energy solutions will ultimately put us back on the path to net zero." Workforce Development and Addressing the Talent Shortage The digital infrastructure industry has long faced a talent shortage, which has only become more urgent as demand increases. To help address this challenge, iMasons has launched a new job-matching platform. "It’s designed to bridge the talent gap by connecting skilled professionals with opportunities in digital infrastructure," Suinaga explains. "For job seekers, it’s free to use, providing a streamlined way to match with job listings based on skills, experience, and location." For employers, iMasons partners gain access to the platform to find vetted candidates efficiently. "At the pace this industry is growing, the current workforce isn’t enough—we need to bring in talent from other industries and create new career pathways. Digital infrastructure is recession-proof and offers tremendous opportunities for growth." Industry Partnerships Driving Innovation iMasons has been expanding its partnerships, adding 15 new partners in recent months. "We've welcomed companies from various backgrounds, including AI-driven construction management firms, energy-related companies, and cooling solution providers," Suinaga shares. "iMasons is a hub for industry collaboration, helping to drive innovation across the entire digital infrastructure ecosystem. Our mission is simple: to ensure the industry thrives." Looking Ahead As AI accelerates the demand for digital infrastructure, the industry must embrace innovative, responsible strategies to balance scale with sustainability. iMasons, alongside major players in the sector, is committed to ensuring the next generation of data centers are not just fast to deploy but also environmentally responsible.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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DCF Podcast: Scalable, Secure, and Smart: The Data Center Evolution 22:42

30 วันที่แล้ว22:42

22:42

In this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, Matt Vincent, Editor-in-Chief of Data Center Frontier, talks to Craig Compiano, CEO of Modius, about how data centers are evolving to meet modern demands, specifically in terms of scalability, security and intelligence. They also discuss Modius’s commitment to enabling the next generation of data centers with scalable and secure solutions.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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On the Frontier of Modular Edge AI Data Centers with Andrew Lindsey, CEO, Flexnode 26:14

5 weeksที่แล้ว26:14

26:14

The modular data center industry is undergoing a seismic shift in the age of AI, and few are as deeply embedded in this transformation as Andrew Lindsey, Co-Founder and CEO of Flexnode. In a recent episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, Lindsey joined DCF Editor-in-Chief Matt Vincent and Senior Editor David Chernicoff to discuss the evolution of modular and edge data centers , the growing demand for high-density liquid-cooled solutions, and the industry factors driving this momentum. A Background Rooted in Innovation Lindsey’s career has been defined by the intersection of technology and the built environment. Prior to launching Flexnode, he worked at Alpha Corporation, a top 100 engineering and construction management firm founded by his father in 1979. His early career involved spearheading technology adoption within the firm, with a focus on high-security infrastructure for both government and private clients. Recognizing a massive opportunity in the data center space, Lindsey saw a need for an innovative approach to infrastructure deployment. "The construction industry is relatively uninnovative," he explained, citing a McKinsey study that ranked construction as the second least-digitized industry—just above fishing and wildlife, which remains deliberately undigitized. Given the billions of square feet of data center infrastructure required in a relatively short timeframe, Lindsey set out to streamline and modernize the process. Founded four years ago, Flexnode delivers modular data centers with a fully integrated approach, handling everything from site selection to design, engineering, manufacturing, deployment, operations, and even end-of-life decommissioning. Their core mission is to provide an "easy button" for high-density computing solutions, including cloud and dedicated GPU infrastructure, allowing faster and more efficient deployment of modular data centers. The Rising Momentum for Modular Data Centers As Vincent noted, Data Center Frontier has closely tracked the increasing traction of modular infrastructure. Lindsey has been at the forefront of this shift, witnessing the market evolve significantly over the last five years. "Five years ago, we were looking at a graveyard of modular data center companies that leaned heavily on the edge," Lindsey recalled. Many early modular providers focused on latency-sensitive, interconnected solutions—such as base stations at 5G tower sites. However, the market proved premature, hindered by high costs and the scale of deployment within the telecommunications industry. Now, macroeconomic and technological factors have driven a fundamental shift toward modular data centers. One of the most significant drivers is the rapid evolution of chip design. "A traditional data center design cycle can take a year or 18 months," Lindsey explained. "But if we see radical Nvidia chip advancements every 12 months, your design could be obsolete before you even break ground." The need for embedded flexibility within data center design has made modular solutions an ideal fit. Labor Scarcity and the Need for Efficiency Another factor accelerating the adoption of modular infrastructure is the labor shortage in construction. "There just aren’t enough people today to build the scale of infrastructure needed for data centers," Lindsey noted. Compounding the issue is an aging workforce, with many skilled professionals nearing retirement. "When they leave, they take decades of institutional knowledge with them." Modular construction mitigates this problem by shifting labor-intensive processes to manufacturing environments where technical expertise is concentrated. By centralizing production, modular providers can reduce reliance on dispersed construction labor while maintaining high precision and efficiency. Liquid Cooling and the Future of High-Density Deployments Flexnode is also a leader in the adoption of high-density liquid-cooled infrastructure. Lindsey attended the CoolerChips event last year and has been vocal about the advantages of liquid cooling for modern workloads. "More recently, modular is everywhere," he said. "We at Flexnode are seeing demand hand over fist for high-density liquid-cooled systems that integrate seamlessly with broader building designs." This demand underscores the shift from the speculative modular edge deployments of five years ago to today’s high-performance, flexible data center solutions. "Modular is no longer just a niche," Lindsey concluded. "It’s a critical strategy for meeting the growing demand for scalable, high-efficiency data center capacity." The realization that liquid cooling would become a building-wide challenge, rather than just an IT challenge, was a pivotal moment for Flexnode. "Four years ago, we recognized that liquid cooling, which had been around for 10 to 15 years in government and research, was now commercially viable. But very few data centers were truly equipped to deploy it to its full potential," Lindsey explained. Flexnode identified an opportunity to deliver integrated liquid-cooled modules that connect IT systems to building infrastructure through a fully embedded design. Rather than developing proprietary liquid cooling technology, Flexnode focuses on being "liquid neutral." "The liquid cooling market is advancing well on its own," Lindsey said. "We want to enable OEM-driven solutions like JetCool, Motivair, Isotope, and ZutaCore, ensuring they perform optimally in an environment designed to support them." Flexnode operates at the building scale, working on innovative heat management strategies that eliminate the need for external heat rejection. "We integrate heat rejection into the panelized construction of our modular data centers," Lindsey explained. This approach pushes forward a broader, integrated building design suited for liquid cooling. The Shift Toward Hybrid and Two-Phase Liquid Cooling David Chernicoff asked Lindsey whether Flexnode leans toward specific liquid cooling methodologies, such as waterless, multi-phase, or single-phase solutions. Lindsey responded that their focus aligns with OEM and ODM preferences. "Right now, we're primarily working with direct-to-chip water-based single-phase cooling," Lindsey said. "But as part of our work with the Cooler Chips program, we’re also developing a hybrid immersion approach with Isotope." This hybrid method integrates both direct-to-chip and immersion cooling. The industry is currently debating whether to move to a single-phase hybrid approach or leapfrog directly to two-phase cooling. "The big challenge with two-phase is the environmental impact of certain chemicals used in the process," Lindsey noted. While companies are actively working to address these concerns, two-phase cooling remains a complex consideration. Even Nvidia is leaning toward a two-phase future. "From what we've heard at CoolerChips, Nvidia sees the next generation as being two-phase oriented," Lindsey said. "But they can speak better to that." With liquid cooling now firmly part of the mainstream conversation, the challenge is not just about advancing the technology but also ensuring that the surrounding infrastructure evolves to support it. Flexnode’s approach—integrating liquid cooling at the building level—positions them at the leading edge of this shift. Customer Demands Drive Cooling Technology Choices As the industry evolves, cooling technology decisions are increasingly shaped by customer preferences. "Right now, it's very much customer-driven for us," Lindsey explained. "We're working with sophisticated customers—hyperscalers and GPU-as-a-service providers—who already know what they want to deploy." While some enterprises may still be evaluating their liquid cooling options, hyperscalers are looking beyond traditional single-phase approaches, including both dielectric and water-based cooling. However, Lindsey emphasized that many of these developments remain in the R&D phase. "We don’t typically recommend one technology over another unless there’s a clear drawback," he said. One challenge with direct-to-chip cooling, for example, is achieving full heat absorption into the liquid. "That’s where hybrid approaches come in," Lindsey noted. He described hybrid designs that integrate both two-phase direct-to-chip cooling and immersion cooling, as seen in the CoolerChips program. "In some cases, direct-to-chip is single-phase, in others, it’s two-phase. We’re working as a category B provider, helping integrate these technologies at the building level." Lindsey also touched on sustainability concerns, particularly around immersion cooling. "Immersion is seen as the most sustainable in terms of energy efficiency, but there are still questions about how immersion fluids impact server longevity over time," he said. Factors like glue degradation and cable insulation breakdown raise questions about immersion cooling’s long-term sustainability profile. Two-phase cooling also presents challenges. "There’s an ongoing discussion about PFAS and finding non-toxic, non-carcinogenic alternatives," Lindsey explained. "Beyond that, two-phase cooling can create cavitational forces that affect motherboard and chip integrity over time. That’s why many in the industry—including Nvidia—are still weighing the trade-offs." With liquid cooling now firmly in the mainstream, the industry’s next challenge is integrating these technologies seamlessly into modular data centers. "It’s not just about cooling IT gear anymore; it’s about designing buildings that fully support liquid cooling at scale," Lindsey concluded. Flexnode’s modular approach positions them at the forefront of this transformation. Modular Configurations and Integrated Power Solutions Finally, Flexnode’s modular approach offers extreme configurability. "Our modules can be standalone data centers or integrated into powered shell facilities," Lindsey explained. "We configure everything from 2 MW to 20 MW standalone deployments, and we can scale up to 200 MW campuses." Beyond footprint flexibility, power integration is a growing focus. "On-prem generation is gaining traction, particularly with fuel-agnostic generators that can switch between natural gas, hydrogen, methane, and propane," Lindsey noted. Collaborating with partners like Hyliion , Flexnode is exploring adaptable power solutions, including fuel cells. Being behind the meter is another key driver. "Utilities are getting smarter about power allocation," Lindsey said. "In Europe, data centers are facing use-it-or-lose-it policies, and in the U.S., regions like Ohio are imposing tariffs on unused capacity." On-site power generation provides greater flexibility, helping data centers scale more efficiently and participate in curtailment programs that balance grid demand. Looking Ahead As modular data centers become a core part of the industry landscape, Flexnode is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. "We see modular as a natural extension of utilities—a distributed solution that enhances flexibility," Lindsey concluded. "And we’re just getting started."…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Inside the Nuclear Race for Data Center Energy with Aalo Atomics CEO Matt Loszak 24:29

7 weeksที่แล้ว24:29

24:29

The latest episode of the DCF Show podcast addresses one of the most critical challenges facing the data center industry: the search for sustainable, high-density power solutions. As hyperscale operators like Google and Meta face growing energy demands and resistance from utilities unable or unwilling to support their expansion, the conversation around nuclear energy has gained momentum. Both established nuclear providers and innovative startups are vying for the data center industry's future business, each offering distinct approaches. Our guest, Matt Loszak, co-founder and CEO of Aalo Atomics, shares insights into his company's fresh approach to nuclear energy. Aalo Atomics, which raised $29.5 million in Series A funding in 2024, has developed a 10-megawatt sodium-cooled reactor that eliminates the need for water cooling, offering greater siting flexibility. Inspired by the Department of Energy’s MARVEL microreactor, Aalo’s design benefits from direct expertise, as the company’s CTO was the chief architect behind MARVEL. Aalo’s vision extends beyond reactor design to full-scale modular plant production. Rather than simply building reactors, the company aims to manufacture complete nuclear plants using prefabricated, modular components that can be shipped in standard containers. These plants are designed to fit within the footprint of a data center and require no onsite water—features that make them especially attractive to hyperscale operators seeking localized, high-density power. Aalo has made significant progress, with the Department of Energy identifying Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as a potential site for its first nuclear facility. The company is on an accelerated timeline, planning to complete a non-nuclear prototype within three months and break ground on its first reactor in about a year—remarkably fast for the nuclear sector. Aalo’s modular nuclear power solution for data centers is designed to deliver 50 megawatts, using a sodium-cooled reactor inspired by the MARVEL microreactor at INL. “In just 30 months, Marvel became the first reactor the DOE has ever authorized for construction,” said Loszak. Aalo has brought in key members from the Marvel project, including its chief architect, to speed up development. During our conversation, Loszak discusses the implications of this new wave of nuclear innovation, including the shifting stance of the Trump administration on nuclear energy, the evolving economics of nuclear power (where past projects faced cost overruns and delays), and common misconceptions about nuclear safety, such as fears of reactor meltdowns and waste management.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Meeting Energy Demand for Data Centers with Distributed Energy Resources and Small Modular Reactors 29:07

8 weeksที่แล้ว29:07

29:07

The exponential growth of data center energy demand, particularly driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges for energy infrastructure globally. However, existing grid infrastructure is increasingly constrained, particularly in regions with concentrated data center activity. Transmission bottlenecks, aging infrastructure, and long timelines for grid upgrades present significant challenges for meeting this explosive demand. Podcast takeaways: How Microgrids, powered by Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) offer a promising solution by reducing dependency on centralized grids, integrating generation from multiple fuels and storage, and providing load flexibility. The benefits of a strategy that includes and prepares for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) when they become commercially available. The immediate and long-term benefits of this multi-year approach through real-world data center examples in Santa Clara, California and Ashburn, Virginia, USA How to optimize your energy investments, reduce OPEX costs by 60-80%, and significantly reduce CO₂ emissions by using Xendee’s advanced Microgrid Modeling platform to design the right site-specific multi-year strategy.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

1
Innovating the Future: Next-Generation Data Centers 28:38

9 weeksที่แล้ว28:38

28:38

As high-performance computing (HPC), cloud computing, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to expand globally, the demand for more capable data centers has surged. These next-generation data centers must manage workloads far beyond traditional capacities while addressing challenges such as finding skilled professionals and ensuring operational efficiency. By leveraging software-defined technologies, these data centers achieve better control over physical and virtual resources. Join Alan Farrimond and Andrew Jimenez, industry experts with decades of experience, as they discuss the innovations and strategies that are shaping the future of data centers, focusing on sustainability, energy efficiency, and cutting-edge technologies.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

1
Phill Lawson-Shanks, Chief Innovation Officer, Aligned Data Centers Talks AI, Hyperscalers, Sustainability, SMR Nuclear, LATAM 32:28

9 weeksที่แล้ว32:28

32:28

In the latest episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, DCF Editor-in-Chief Matt Vincent sits down with Phill Lawson-Shanks, Chief Innovation Officer at Aligned Data Centers, for a wide-ranging discussion that touches on some of the most pressing trends and challenges shaping the future of the data center industry. From the role of nuclear energy and natural gas in addressing the sector’s growing power demands, to the rapid expansion of Aligned’s operations in Latin America (LATAM), in the course of the podcast Lawson-Shanks provides deep insight into where the industry is headed. Scaling Sustainability: Tracking Embodied Carbon and Scope 3 Emissions A key focus of the conversation is sustainability, where Aligned continues to push boundaries in carbon tracking and energy efficiency. Lawson-Shanks highlights the company’s commitment to monitoring embodied carbon—an effort that began four years ago and has since positioned Aligned as an industry leader. “We co-authored and helped found the Climate Accord with iMasons—taking sustainability to a whole new level,” he notes, emphasizing how Aligned is now extending its carbon traceability standards to ODATA’s facilities in LATAM. By implementing lifecycle assessments (LCAs) and tracking Scope 3 emissions, Aligned aims to provide clients with a detailed breakdown of their environmental impact. “The North American market is still behind in lifecycle assessments and environmental product declarations. Where gaps exist, we look for adjacencies and highlight them—helping move the industry forward,” Lawson-Shanks explains. The Nuclear Moment: A Game-Changer for Data Center Power One of the most compelling segments of the discussion revolves around the growing interest in nuclear energy—particularly small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors—as a viable long-term power solution for data centers. Lawson-Shanks describes the recent industry buzz surrounding OKLO’s announcement of a 12-gigawatt deployment with Switch as a significant milestone, calling the move “inevitable.” “There are dozens of nuclear plants operating in the U.S. today, but people just don’t pay much attention to them,” he says. “Companies like OKLO are designing advanced modular reactors that are walk-away safe, reuse spent fuel, and eliminate the risks associated with traditional light-water reactors. This is the path forward.” However, he acknowledges that the widespread adoption of nuclear will take time, given the regulatory hurdles of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the challenges of getting sites certified. Still, he remains optimistic: “We need this, and as an industry, we’re pre-buying energy because we see the challenges ahead.” Bridging the Energy Gap with Natural Gas and Hydrogen While nuclear is a long-term solution, data centers need reliable power sources today. Lawson-Shanks sees natural gas as a practical interim solution, provided emissions can be mitigated. He also points to hydrogen as an emerging technology with potential, though challenges remain. “Hydrogen is really an energy transportation methodology rather than an energy source,” he explains. “It’s highly corrosive, and the infrastructure isn’t fully in place yet, but it’s something we’re closely monitoring.” He predicts that natural gas reciprocating engines will serve as a bridge solution until nuclear modules become widely available. “Once we reach steady-state nuclear power, those gas engines could replace diesel generators, which we all want to phase out,” he says. Explosive Growth in LATAM and the Evolution of Aligned’s Global Strategy The conversation also covers Aligned’s expansion into Latin America following its acquisition of ODATA. Lawson-Shanks describes the region as a booming market, particularly in Brazil, where Aligned has access to renewable energy through its investment in wind farms. “LATAM is an enormous growth market, and our waterless cooling system is ideal for places like Santiago, where water scarcity makes evaporative cooling unfeasible,” he explains. Aligned is integrating its advanced cooling technologies—such as Delta³ and DeltaFlow—into ODATA’s new facilities, ensuring that sustainability remains a core component of their LATAM operations. Innovating Beyond Cooling: The Future of Heat Reuse Another forward-looking topic is Aligned’s interest in heat reuse, an area where Lawson-Shanks sees significant potential for innovation. Through its partnership with QScale in Canada, Aligned is exploring methods to capture and repurpose waste heat from data centers for other applications. “Their heat reuse strategy is really interesting, and we’re looking at how we can implement similar solutions in North America,” he says, hinting at future developments to come. Looking Ahead: A Future Shaped by Innovation and Sustainability As the conversation wraps up, it’s clear that Lawson-Shanks sees the data center industry at an inflection point. The combination of sustainability commitments, new energy technologies, and rapid global expansion is forcing companies to rethink traditional models and embrace innovation at an unprecedented scale. “We’ve always fought against the idea that data centers have to be built the same way they were in the 1970s,” he says. “We’re constantly redesigning, rethinking how we procure energy, and pushing the industry forward.” With Aligned continuing to lead the charge in sustainability, energy innovation, and international expansion, the insights shared in this episode offer a compelling look at the challenges and opportunities ahead for the data center industry.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Vantage Data Centers Leaders Reflect On Ohio Campus Plans, North American Industry Surge 22:26

10 weeksที่แล้ว22:26

22:26

Recorded last December, for this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show Podcast, DCF Editor in Chief Matt Vincent spoke with Vantage Data Centers' North American President Dana Adams, and Katilin Monaghan, Vantage Data Centers' North American Public Policy Director. As president of Vantage Data Centers’ North America business, Dana Adams oversees market development, sales, construction and operations across the United States and Canada. With nearly 18 years of experience in the data center sector, Adams has a track record of successfully leading high-growth companies and diverse teams at scale. Prior to joining Vantage, Adams was the Chief Operating Officer for AirTrunk, the hyperscale data center giant serving the Asia-Pacific region. She was responsible for scaling operations, service delivery and customer success from one to five countries and established other critical business capabilities, including award-winning people, culture and sustainability programs, as the company grew from $3 to $10 billion. Earlier in her career, Adams served as vice president and general manager at Iron Mountain where she helped drive nearly $2 billion in growth through global acquisitions and development projects. In addition, she held several leadership positions at Digital Realty, including vice president of portfolio management, where she oversaw $3 billion in data center assets. Considered to be one of the most influential female executives in the industry, Adams was recognized by Data Economy on its power women list in 2019. She was a finalist in the 2020 and 2022 PTC awards as an outstanding female executive, an Infrastructure Masons (IM) 2022 award recipient and was recently featured by InterGlobix Magazine as an Inspiring Woman in Leadership. Adams earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration from Simmons University. Kaitlin Monaghan serves as the Director of Public Policy, North America, for Vantage Data Centers. In this role, she is responsible for leading a public policy program to support the company’s North American business. Monaghan partners with site selection, sustainability, tax, legal, energy and construction stakeholders to develop and advocate for Vantage’s position on a multitude of issues in current and future markets. Prior to joining Vantage, Monaghan held public policy roles at Rivian Automotive and the American Clean Power Association where she managed legislative, regulatory and economic development matters at all levels of government. She also serves as Energy and Environment Co-Chair for the Data Center Coalition (DCC) . A Florida native, she is a graduate of the University of Florida with a B.S. in Environmental Science and has a law degree from Florida State University College of Law with a concentration in Energy Law. Podcast Talk on the podcast kicks off with a framing of Vantage Data Centers' recently announced $2 billion investment in a new data center campus in New Albany, Ohio in the environs of Tier 2 industry hotspot Columbus, focusing on sustainability and efficiency. The discussion touches on how the Ohio market is becoming increasingly relevant for data centers due to strong connectivity and power availability, with most major hyperscalers already investing in the region. Along the way, we learn how Vantage's new campus in New Albany will utilize a sustainable design aimed at achieving LEED Silver certification, emphasizing low power usage effectiveness (PUE) and waterless cooling systems. The discussion also examines how partnerships with local organizations, such as the New Albany Community Foundation and Columbus State Community College Foundation, will support workforce development and community engagement. Vantage's Adams and Monaghan also speak on how continued collaboration with utilities and policymakers is essential to address power generation challenges while supporting future data center industry growth in North America. Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments: Dana Adams shares insights on how her experience as COO of Air Trunk in Sydney informs her current role, focusing on scaling hyperscale data centers in North America. 1:36 Kaitlin Monaghan discusses her background in energy law and highlights her focus on renewable energy policy. 3:57 Investment trends in Ohio's data center market are discussed. Connectivity and power availability are identified as key factors. 7:11 The forthcoming OH1 data center campus is discussed. It will cover 70 acres and focus on sustainability. 9:57 The 200 megawatt campus will be built in phases. The first phase is set to open in late 2025. 10:37 Sustainable design principles are emphasized in the project. The design aims for low power usage effectiveness and minimal water usage. 11:31 Innovations in Ohio are discussed. The focus is on signal innovations for deployment. 13:00 Sustainable fuels integration is highlighted. Collaboration across the industry is emphasized to increase demand. 13:30 Challenges with new chip designs are addressed. Maximizing efficiency with GPUs in data centers is a key concern. 14:01 Partnerships with local organizations are discussed. Workforce development is emphasized as a key focus. 14:48 The importance of community engagement is highlighted. Vantage's long-term commitment to local hiring is noted. 15:19 Trends in workforce development within the data center industry are analyzed. The significance of workforce as a pillar of sustainability is mentioned. 16:43 Insights into Vantage Data Centers' growth are shared. Anticipation for 2025 includes a focus on infrastructure and workforce needs. 17:49 Challenges in power generation and transmission are addressed. Engagement with utilities and policymakers is emphasized for future growth. 19:54…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Nomads at the Frontier - Data Center Industry Views from PTC'25 in Honolulu 15:19

12 weeksที่แล้ว15:19

15:19

For this episode of the recurring Data Center Frontier/Nomad Futurist field report podcast series -- aka "Nomads at the Frontier" -- DCF Editor In Chief Matt Vincent checked in for a fun yet informative discussion with Nomad Futurist Foundation Co-Founders Phillip Koblence and Nabeel Mahmood from the grounds of PTC'25 , the annual telecom and data center industry conference put on by the Pacific Telecommunications Council in Hawaii, which has become one of the sector's most important live events. Podcast Series Nomad Futurist is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established, per its mission statement, "to demystify the world of digital infrastructure and the related technologies that impact every aspect of our daily lives." Committed to educating youth in underprivileged communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and opening up opportunities for growth and new career paths, the group says its "primary focus is to empower and inspire younger generations through exposure to the underlying technologies that power our digital world." Nomad Futurist is known for appointing individuals throughout the data center industry to its ranks of Ambassadors and Advisors, who work to promote the organization's ethos and goals in their professional spheres. The group's members are a pervasive presence in the data center sector, to be found in attendance and presenting at most industry events in the U.S. and abroad. The purpose of the Data Center Frontier/Nomad Futurist joint podcast series is therefore to gather valuable industry insights, expertise and commentary from Nomad Futurist leaders and ambassadors, firsthand and in the field , as they participate in these events. PTC'25 PTC'25 in Honolulu attracted over 10,000 attendees, highlighting a significant data center presence alongside telecommunications. As revealed in the course of the podcast, key data center topics at this year's PTC included artificial intelligence, power demands, and the integration of natural gas as a bridge for energy needs. Importantly at this year's PTC, the Nomad Futurist Foundation announced the launch of the Nomad Futurist Academy and an associated job board in furtherance of its mission to enhance career pathways in the data center industry. During the course of the talk, emphasis was also placed on on the value of "organic networking," with the Futurists advising on the strategic need to balance scheduled meetings with informal interactions at such industry events. Here's a timeline of the podcast's key moments: PTC'25 Event Overview - The event is noted as one of the largest in years; attendance in Honolulu is reported at over 10,000 individuals. 2:11 - A significant data center presence is highlighted at the event. The program's integration of telecommunications and data center sectors is emphasized. 2:33 - Questions about the logistics of the event are addressed. 3:39 Meeting Intensity at PTC'25 - Nomad Futurist held more than 40 meetings at this year's PTC. The meetings occurred over three days. 4:08 - High levels of physical activity were noted. Walking 10,000 to 30,000 steps a day was common, notes Mahmood. 4:36 - The five-year anniversary of the Nomad Futurist initiative was celebrated at this year's PTC. 6:01 Nomad Futurist Academy Launch - The Nomad Futurist job board highlighting data center career pathways is mentioned as upcoming news for the Foundation. 6:16 - Discussion turns to power demands in data centers, as discussed at the event. The shift in baseline power requirements from 10-20 megawatts to over 100 megawatts is highlighted. 7:01 - AI and its implications for power needs are explored. Conversation touches on large language models and their impact on efficiency ratios. 9:11 Global Networking at PTC'25 - A significant percentage of PTC attendees are from the United States. Approximately 45-46% of attendees are American, with the rest coming from around the world. 11:25 - The event in Hawaii is praised for its renowned industry networking opportunities. 13:28 - In-person interactions at conferences are emphasized as invaluable. The importance of networking and organic conversations is highlighted as crucial for setting the pace for the year. 13:47…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Data Center Industry Discussion with Ron Vokoun, Everus Construction Group 26:49

12 weeksที่แล้ว26:49

26:49

For this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show Podcast , DCF Editor in Chief Matt Vincent and Senior Editor David Chernicoff sat down for a far-reaching discussion with data center industry luminary Ron Vokoun, a 35-year veteran of the construction industry with a primary focus on digital infrastructure. "I got into telecom back in ’92, which led to data centers," he said. "Probably worked on my first one around ’96 or ’97, and I’ve been involved ever since." Currently the Director of National Market Development for Everus Construction Group , Vokoun has been involved in AFCOM , both regionally and nationally, for nearly two decades and is an emeritus content advisory board member for Data Center World . He has also written extensively for Data Center Dynamics . Vokoun added, "I’ve just always been curious—very much a learner. Being a construction guy, I often write about things I probably have no business writing about, which is always the challenge, but I’m just curious—a lifelong learner. Interestingly, [DCF founder] Rich Miller ... gave me my first blogging opportunity." Here's a timeline of the podcast's highlights: Introductions - Ron Vokoun shares his extensive background. He has been in the construction industry for 35 years. 1:46 - On his role at Everus Construction Group and the company's diverse services across the nation. 2:07 - Vokoun reflects on his long-standing relationship with Rich Miller. He acknowledges Rich's influence on his blogging career. 3:05 Nuclear Energy - A discussion about nuclear energy trends occurs. The importance of nuclear energy in data center construction is probed. 3:35 - Natural gas is highlighted as a key trend. Its role as a gateway to hydrogen is emphasized. 3:51 - The impact of recent nuclear developments is analyzed. The reopening of Three Mile Island is noted as significant. 4:55 Future Power Sources for Data Centers - Discussion turns to the timeline for small modular reactors (SMR). Vokoun expresses some confidence that significant developments will occur within five years. 5:42 - Natural gas is identified as a potential primary power source. Its role as a cleaner alternative to diesel generators is acknowledged. 7:49 Natural Gas Interest - Vokoun talks about how natural gas generators are being considered by major companies, and how much more implementation is anticipated in the near future. 9:18 - The advantages of multiple power sources are emphasized. Vokoun remarks on how natural gas plants can adjust more quickly than nuclear or coal plants. 10:53 Power Project Lawsuits and Concerns - Concerns about the impact on residential customers are raised. The relocation of power from one vendor to another is discussed. 12:12 - The potential for increased power generation is highlighted. A net decarbonization effect is suggested due to more carbon-free power sources. 12:59 Impact of Liquid Cooling - Discussion centers on advancements in power distribution. Insights are shared on liquid cooling infrastructure trends. 13:34 - Direct liquid cooling is noted as prevalent. Immersion cooling is mentioned as having lost traction. 16:06 Immersion Cooling Technologies - A discussion about immersion cooling technologies occurs. The efficiency of direct to chip cooling is emphasized. 17:12 - Concerns regarding the weight of new racks are raised. The need for plumbing in liquid cooling systems is highlighted. 17:48 - The potential narrowing of the immersion cooling market is predicted. A quick market response is anticipated based on immersion cooling's market share. 19:00 Energy Storage Technologies Overview - The advantages of various energy storage technologies are discussed. Lead acid, lithium ion, and sodium solutions are mentioned as key options. 20:00 - The shift in market share from lead acid batteries is highlighted. Sodium-based products are noted as an exciting emerging technology. 20:41 - Data centers in new locations are referenced. 21:50 Evolving Site Selection Criteria - The evolution of site selection for data centers is discussed. The importance of having reliable power sources is emphasized. 22:57 - The rise of data center locations in Indiana is highlighted, as an example of how previously overlooked areas are now experiencing significant development. 24:01…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Tackling Global Data Center Challenges with Wesco’s Alan Farrimond 16:06

14 weeksที่แล้ว16:06

16:06

In this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, Matt Vincent, Editor-in-Chief of Data Center Frontier, talks to Alan Farrimond, Vice President Wesco Data Center Solutions, about how AI, globalization and power challenges are impacting the data center industry. They also discuss some wider challenges across the industry and how Wesco is uniquely positioned to solve those challenges.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Framing Data Center and AI Sustainability Imperatives with iMasons Climate Accord's Miranda Gardiner 19:36

14 weeksที่แล้ว19:36

19:36

On this episode of the DCF Show Podcast, iMasons Climate Accord (ICA) Executive Director, Miranda Gardiner, shares insights on sustainability and emissions reduction strategies for data centers with DCF editors Matt Vincent and David Chernicoff. During the course of the talk, Gardiner explains how the iMasons Climate Accord (ICA), as part of Infrastructure Masons , focuses on data center industry emissions reductions as its primary goal, including approximately 300 member companies in the digital infrastructure space. The recent ICA flagship initiative emphasizing the value of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for materials and equipment, as signed by major hyperscale players like AWS, Google, and Microsoft, is also unpacked. We also learn how the Climate Accord aims to enhance global outreach and collaboration, particularly in regions such as APAC and Latin America, to address local sustainability challenges. Gardiner also discusses how the group's future efforts will prioritize transparency and verification in sustainability claims to ensure accountability within the data center industry.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Customers, People, Planet: The EdgeConneX Blueprint for Sustainability 15:40

16 weeksที่แล้ว15:40

15:40

EdgeConneX's "Customers, People, and Planet" mission is the foundation for its sustainability efforts, shaping how the company designs, builds, and operates data centers worldwide. This podcast explores how this mission is implemented, embedding energy efficiency, renewable energy solutions, and local market engagement into every step of their operations. By prioritizing a balance between environmental responsibility and operational excellence, EdgeConneX demonstrates how sustainability can successfully align with business goals.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Safety First, Always: A Collaborative Approach to Data Center Safety 25:55

18 weeksที่แล้ว25:55

25:55

This podcast explores EdgeConneX's innovative approach to safety excellence, emphasizing its significant impact on operations and customer loyalty. Central to our discussion is the critical role of collaboration, as showcased by the "One Team, One Mission" theme from the EdgeConneX Safety Summits. EdgeConneX's commitment to safety extends beyond ensuring the well-being of its employees; it is a vital component of building trust with customers. The podcast highlights how EdgeConneX and its partners fortify collaborations to ensure data centers are designed and operated with paramount safety. This collaborative approach involves nurturing a learning culture that empowers employees to proactively identify and address potential risks, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and vigilance.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Hydrogen Data Center Upsides with Yuval Bachar, Founder and CEO, EdgeCloudLink (ECL) 31:18

18 weeksที่แล้ว31:18

31:18

In today's episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, DCF's editors speak with hyperscale data center industry veteran Yuval Bachar, founder and CEO of hydrogen data center operator EdgeCloudLink (ECL). Bachar has held data center leadership positions with Microsoft Azure, LinkedIn, Facebook, Cisco, and Juniper Networks. He was a founder of the Open19 project, which creates open hardware designs for enterprise users, and holds eight U.S. patents in data center, networking and system design. During the interview, we asked Bachar about ECL's flagship hydrogen data center projects near Houston, TX and Mountain View, CA . He went on to outline ECL's future plans for expansion and sustainability in response to growing AI demands. Within the context of Bachar's forecast outlook for hydrogen data centers, DCF's editors also inquired about natural gas as a transitional power source and the challenges of natural gas infrastructure. With the AI boom is driving heavy interest in the upsides of hydrogen data centers, Bachar also took time to emphasize his company's ongoing commitments to sustainable data centers, as reflected by the industry at large. Our hydrogen production strategy discussion also touched on hyperscalers' intense needs for new energy solutions, before circling back around to sustainability in data center operations. Phased Development During our interview, Bachar said that ECL is expanding its hydrogen data center business with a focus on Texas, aiming for 100 megawatts in the first phase of campus development there and additional phases every six months. The company plans to complete four sites in the next four to five years, contingent on hydrogen availability and supply chain capabilities. He emphasized that the urgency for data centers to meet AI demand is critical, citing estimates of the industry needing 50 to 100 gigawatts of power in the next five years, while highlighting the importance of rapid deployment and sustainable practices. He further noted that ECL is positioned as a significant off-taker for hydrogen, influencing suppliers to invest in cleaner hydrogen production facilities. Bachar underlined his company's sustainability bona fides by stating, "We can deliver data centers which are fully sustainable right now." He noted that ECL aims to use a blend of gray and blue hydrogen initially in its data centers, transitioning to green hydrogen as production increases.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

1
DDC Solutions Pushes Cooling for Data Centers Beyond Industry Limits With its New S-Series Cabinets 24:25

19 weeksที่แล้ว24:25

24:25

A datacenter innovator with nearly three decades of experience, Chris Orlando co-founded ScaleMatrix in 2011, a leader in high-density colocation solutions. His passion for pushing boundaries led him to co-found DDC Solutions in 2018. DDC is recognized for delivering the highest air-cooled density data center solutions with the lowest total cost of ownership. Chris's expertise has been instrumental in collaborating with industry giants like Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD to address complex data center challenges. Following a recent investment in DDC, Chris continues to shape DDC's strategic vision as Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer, and Board Member.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

1
Scaling AI-Driven Data Centers: The Power of Cable Management and Infrastructure Solutions 8:21

21 weeksที่แล้ว8:21

8:21

This episode will explore the evolving role of electrical and digital infrastructure in supporting AI-driven data centers, with a particular focus on the significance of cable management systems like Legrand's Cablofil. As AI technology grows and places increasing demands on data centers, it's crucial to understand how efficient infrastructure can help these centers scale, optimize energy use, and maintain reliable, high-performance environments.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

1
Data Center 'GPU as a Service' Stakes and Opportunities with Cologix and Consensus Core 26:39

21 weeksที่แล้ว26:39

26:39

For this episode of the DCF Show podcast, DCF Editor in Chief Matt Vincent spoke with Callum Morrison, Account Director of Cologix; and Wayne Lloyd, CEO of Consensus Core. A new collaboration announced in August 20024 between Consensus Core and Cologix launches the first NVIDIA-powered GPU as a Service (GPUaaS) in the Montreal market, making Cologix’s MTL10 data center the inaugural hub for high-performance AI workloads in Montreal. During the interview, we discuss: • What GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) is and why it’s so valuable to businesses looking to leverage AI. • Why connectivity and interconnection are critical to support AI applications. • How Canada’s AI initiative is driving growth and adoption of AI. • The two companies' vision for the future of AI-ready data centers in Canada Cologix is the largest data center provider in Montréal with 12 facilities and has a Canadian interconnection ecosystem of 350 networks, 200+ cloud providers, 15 public cloud onramps and three internet exchanges. Cologix, who bills itself as one of the "leading network-neutral interconnection and hyperscale edge data center" companies in North America, announced the collaboration with Consensus Core, an AI cloud service provider, to support the needs of AI technologies at its MTL10 ScalelogixSM data center in Montréal, Canada. The collaboration enables Consensus Core to launch a new, NVIDIA-powered GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) in the Canadian market and transforms MTL10 into a hub for its high-performance AI workloads. “As a registered member of the NVIDIA Partner Network, Consensus Core will supercharge AI in Canada,” said Consensus Core CEO Lloyd, who is also a company co-founder. “Implementing AI in data centers with the powerful NVIDIA accelerated computing platform requires a specialized approach. We have selected Cologix to address this need. As a Canadian company, we sought a partner offering colocation services for GPUs for both Canadian and international clients. Cologix’s hyperscale and highly interconnected data centers enable us to densify and scale our services to meet customer demands efficiently.” Unlike general cloud services that use general-purpose platforms for a wide range of applications, GPUaaS provides specialized, high-performance computing for specific AI tasks. This benefits companies that want to start doing AI workloads because instead of buying and maintaining their own physical servers and hardware, they can get access to NVIDIA accelerated computing on a per-hour basis from companies like Consensus Core. This means less downtime waiting for delivery and easy-to-use tools to deliver business results faster. Background In October 2024, Cologix announced capital raises of $1.5 billion USD to fuel its next stage of strategic growth by accelerating expansion of AI-ready data centers across key North American markets. Cologix plans to use the capital to support the ongoing build out of large-scale campuses in its core markets, including Ashburn, Columbus and Montréal, as well as to begin new builds on recently acquired land in Columbus, Des Moines and Vancouver. Upon full build out, all of the operator's planned data center construction can support over 650 critical megawatts (MW) of sellable capacity. The infusion of capital received strong investor demand, underscoring investor confidence in Cologix’s proven business model, growth potential and ability to execute on its strategic initiatives. The capital raises include a $1.0 billion USD revolving multi-asset development debt facility and an additional $500 million USD in equity from both new and existing investors. The debt facility is structured to provide Cologix with the flexibility to add new sites over time, offering quick access to capital to fund development projects as needed. Both the debt and equity raises received strong investor demand and were oversubscribed, underscoring their confidence in Cologix’s proven business model, growth potential and ability to execute on its strategic initiatives. "This is a significant milestone for Cologix and demonstrates the continued trust of our investors, both new and existing," said Scott Schneider, CFO of Cologix. "The combination of debt and equity financing provides us with the flexibility and capital to keep pace with the growing demand for digital infrastructure, particularly as AI, hybrid cloud and interconnection requirements expand. This financing ensures we can continue to scale and deliver on our customers’ needs in a dynamic market." The $1.5 billion USD in financing announced in October followed the company’s successful $1.13 billion USD and $1.07 billion CAD asset-backed securitizations since 2021, as well as a $3.0 billion USD equity recapitalization in 2022, all of which added to positioning Cologix for sustained growth. Deployment NVIDIA's H100 Tensor Core GPU-accelerated clusters will power Consensus Core’s GPUaaS operated in Cologix’s Montréal data center. NVIDIA H100 extends the NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core GPU’s global-to-shared asynchronous transfer capabilities across all address spaces and adds support for tensor memory access patterns. It enables applications to build end-to-end asynchronous pipelines that move data into and off the chip, completely overlapping and hiding data movement with computation. MTL10 is among Cologix’s largest network-neutral data centers, offering connectivity via high-count, diverse and scalable fiber with direct access to the Meet-Me-Room (MMR) in Montréal at Cologix’s MTL3 facility. The data center also offers strong interconnection capabilities to build and scale businesses with more than 100 unique network providers and low-latency connections to hyperscale cloud providers. MTL10 is a 180,000-square-foot, purpose-built facility that is ISO 27001 certified by Schellman and HIPAA, SOC1, SOC2 and PCI compliant. “We’re thrilled to partner with Consensus Core to bring its GPUaaS offering to Canada,” said Sean Maskell, President and General Manager of Cologix Canada, in a press relesae. “Consensus Core’s innovative solution fills a critical gap in the market, empowering businesses of all sizes to leverage the immense power of AI and machine learning. At Cologix, we are deeply committed to supporting the growth of the Canadian technology sector, and this collaboration demonstrates our dedication to providing the essential infrastructure and services that businesses need to thrive in today’s world.” The companies contend that their new collaboration between Cologix and Consensus Core positions MTL10 as the premier hub for high-performance AI in Canada, providing businesses with the infrastructure and tools required to take advantage of the full potential of AI technologies. Podcast During the podcast, Morrison and Lloyd discuss their companies' collaboration on the new AI service and the transition of Consensus Core from specializing in crypto infrastructure to AI, with a focus on GPU as a Service. Wayne explains how this service allows companies to access AI capabilities by overcoming challenges related to chips, power, and data center capacity. Callum highlights Cologix's partnership with Nvidia to enhance efficiency and scalability. The conversation emphasizes the growing demand for power in AI deployment stakes and the importance of scaling deployments to achieve successful business outcomes. Specific questions for Callum and Wayne regarding the announced collaboration to empower businesses in Canada to leverage the power of AI and machine learning with NVIDIA-Powered GPU-as-a-Service included: What is GPUaaS and how does it fit into the infrastructure ecosystem? How does the collaboration between Cologix and Consensus Core deliver GPUaaS? What are the benefits for businesses? Do Cologix and Consensus Core have plans to expand their collaboration in Canada and/or other markets?…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Podcast: Nomads at the Frontier, Ep. 3 - Data Center Dynamics' DCD Connect Virginia 12:12

22 weeksที่แล้ว12:12

12:12

As Infrastructure Masons (iMasons) CEO Santiago Suinaga noted, the sold-out DCD Connect Virginia event in Leesburg on Nov. 6-7 was a standing-room only affair, reflecting the region's huge interest in the data center industry, in a conference which year-over-year "does not disappoint," in the words of International Data Center Authority Chief Certification Officer Mark Gusakov. Both men are key advisors to the Nomad Futurist Foundation. Nomad Futurist is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established, per its mission statement, "to demystify the world of digital infrastructure and the related technologies that impact every aspect of our daily lives." Committed to educating youth in underprivileged communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and opening up opportunities for growth and new career paths, the group says its "primary focus is to empower and inspire younger generations through exposure to the underlying technologies that power our digital world." Nomad Futurist is known for appointing individuals throughout the data center industry to its ranks of Ambassadors and Advisors, who work to promote the organization's ethos and goals in their professional spheres. The group's members are a pervasive presence in the data center sector, to be found in attendance and presenting at most industry events in the U.S. and abroad. The purpose of the Data Center Frontier/Nomad Futurist: Field Report series -- aka "Nomads at the Frontier" -- is therefore to gather recurring industry insight, expertise and commentary from Nomad Futurist leaders and ambassadors, firsthand and in the field, as they participate in these events. During this impromptu podcast discussion, as recorded on-site at Leesburg's Landsdowne Resort Convention Center, Santiago discusses key topics from the event's iMasons Member Summit, including education programs and community concerns. He highlights challenges as cited from the iMasons State of the Industry report, such as power, talent access, and sustainability planning. For his part, drawing on perspective gained from his ongoing travels around the industry, Mark emphasizes the need for standardization and correcting misconceptions about the data center industry, while urging professionals to act as ambassadors to improve public understanding as the industry grows its vital workforce and sustainability stakes. Santiago concurs with the pivotal need to increase data center awareness and bring more people into the industry. Mark concludes with some vibe check remarks, taking the temperature of Datacenter Dynamics' annual confab in the world's largest data center market.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

1
Seizing Massive Growth Amidst Limited Supply, Power and Talent 16:58

22 weeksที่แล้ว16:58

16:58

Demand for data centers has never been higher. In our latest episode, we dive deep into the exploding world of data centers together with JLL's head of Data Center Research and Strategy for the Americas, Andrew Batson. According to JLL’s U.S. Data Center Report , the first half of 2024 shattered all records, but, what does this mean for you? We explore how these facilities have become the foundation of modern society and why securing land, power, and talent is more crucial than ever. How is the industry coping with limited supply in the face of insatiable demand? We'll reveal shocking statistics about the U.S. colocation market's growth and the unbelievably low vacancy rates. Plus, we'll uncover the massive impact of AI on the data center landscape, with investments skyrocketing into the hundreds of billions. We'll discuss the ongoing struggle to find and keep skilled workers in this rapidly expanding field. And while the U.S. power grid seems stable for now, what issues could threaten the industry's future? Join us as we unpack the complexities of the data center boom and explore what it means for the future of our digital economy.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

1
Examining Data Center Construction Supply Chains 14:45

23 weeksที่แล้ว14:45

14:45

Today our guest is Bill Tierney, Chief Sales Officer for BluePrint Supply Chain. Join us as we highlight some new research published by Data Center Frontier and BluePrint Supply Chain that addresses data center construction supply chains. This first-of-its-kind study addresses everything from purchasing and logistics to storage and site setting. Listeners will get a sneak peak at some of the compelling data the research has gathered and what it means for the current state of the industries construction supply chains.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Quantum Corridor CEO Tom Dakich On U.S. Midwest Data Center Horizons 34:10

23 weeksที่แล้ว34:10

34:10

For this episode of the DCF Show podcast, Data Center Frontier Editor in Chief Matt Vincent and Senior Editor David Chernicoff speak with Tom Dakich, CEO of Quantum Corridor , about compute possibilities for his company's super-fast, super-secure fiber-optic network operating in the area of Chicagoland and Northern Indiana. Almost exactly a year ago, Quantum Corridor launched what the company bills as "one of the fastest, most secure fiber-optic networks in the Western Hemisphere" with its first transmissions from the Chicago ORD 10 Data Center at 350 E. Cermak Rd. to a data center in Hammond, Indiana. Formed in 2021 as a public-private partnership with the state of Indiana, Quantum Corridor was established to enable advanced Illinois and Indiana tech innovators to exchange data nearly instantaneously, the better to achieve frontline technology breakthroughs. Funded through a $4.0 million grant from the state of Indiana’s READI grant program and with the cooperation of the Indiana Department of Transportation and Northwest Indiana Forum, Quantum Corridor's network is utilizing 263 miles of new and existing fiber-optic cable beneath the Indiana Toll Road to link data centers, quantum research facilities, life sciences and genome scientists and hyperscalers with industry-shattering speeds and throughput. Transmitting at data speeds reportedly 1,000x faster than traditional networks, on its launch in 2023, Quantum Corridor said the new network aims to enable regional businesses and institutions to achieve breakthroughs in the segments for defense, financial modeling, biotech, cybersecurity, machine learning, research and more. This optimism came on the heels of the Biden-Harris administration’s designation last October of of the Chicago MSA as a U.S. Regional Technology and Innovation Hub. With its first transmissions, Quantum Corridor achieved a latency of 0.266 milliseconds of information exchange over its current 12-mile network—a transmission speed 500 times faster than the blink of an eye and far exceeding the average network’s existing 12-times-longer latency. The combination of near-instantaneous transmissions paired with massive throughput is expected to enable exponential breakthroughs in modeling and problem solving across myriad industries. Quantum Corridor continues to expand its mileage and connect research facilities. According to the company, the network already has the capacity to transmit nearly the entire current content load of the internet in a single transmission.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

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Nomads at the Frontier, Ep. 2 - OCP Global Summit 2024 Reflections 9:59

24 weeksที่แล้ว9:59

9:59

The purpose of the Data Center Frontier/Nomad Futurist: Field Report podcast series -- aka "Nomads at the Frontier" -- is to gather recurring industry insight, expertise and commentary from Nomad Futurist Foundation leaders and ambassadors, firsthand and in the field, as they participate in various industry events. Nomad Futurist is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established, per its mission statement, "to demystify the world of digital infrastructure and the related technologies that impact every aspect of our daily lives." Committed to educating youth in underprivileged communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and opening up opportunities for growth and new career paths, the group says its "primary focus is to empower and inspire younger generations through exposure to the underlying technologies that power our digital world." Nomad Futurist is known for appointing individuals throughout the data center industry to its ranks of Ambassadors and Advisors, who work to promote the organization's ethos and goals in their professional spheres. Nomad Futurist's members are a pervasive presence in the data center sector, to be found in attendance and presenting at most industry events in the U.S. and abroad. For episode two of the Nomads at the Frontier series, DCF Editor In Chief Matt Vincent moderated a tight yet pithy discussion with Nabeel Mahmood, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Nomad Futurist, and Rob Coyle, Director of Technical Program for the Open Compute Project Foundation, about the newly announced strategic alliance between the two organizations as reflected at the 2024 OCP Global Summit (Oct. 15-17), each taking a shared role in addressing workforce and education challenges in the data center industry. In the podcast, Mahmood and Coyle highlight how the significance of the new alliance between their organizations was reflected at OCP 2024 , which was attended by an amazing 7,000 people, and discuss future initiatives to foster collaboration. The discussion covers how this year's event answered the need for standardization in liquid cooling solutions, and how presentation reflected the growing importance of automation and robotics in response to issues ranging from increasing rack density to labor shortages, especially in hyperscale and AI-oriented data centers. The talk also addresses the alliance's joint roadmap to formalize strategic directions for the partnership, with OCP-Nomad Futurists announcements planned over the next three to six months to possibly include events such as hackathons, designathons, and other disruptive initiatives and happenings to engage both industry insiders and newcomers.…

The Data Center Frontier Show

3 yearsที่แล้ว20:05

20:05

The emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is making headlines around the world. It's not yet clear how serious Omicron may become, but it is a worrisome development in a pandemic that has extracted a high toll. What might Omicron mean to the data center sector and cloud computing? That's our topic today on the Data Center Frontier show, where we look at three areas of potential business impact: travel restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and the progress of the enterprise recovery in IT spending. Important Note: Our podcast focuses on the data center business and cloud infrastructure, so if you're seeking general healthcare information, please consult your medical professional or sources that specialize in healthcare. Here's a timeline of topics discussed on the podcast: 1:45 - What we know, and don't know, about the Omicron variant and its potential impact. 6:15 - The important role of data centers and cloud services during the COVID-19 pandemic. 6:50 - Data is global, and travel restrictions are a challenge for new deployments. 7:50- How travel restrictions could impact trade shows, conferences and in-person events. 10:20 - The state of the supply chain, and how data center operators are managing project delivery. 13:40 - The road ahead for the enterprise IT recovery. Here are some resources discussed on the podcast: How Data Centers Are Navigating the Supply Chain Crisis: https://datacenterfrontier.com/how-data-centers-are-navigating-the-supply-chain-crisis/ Be sure to subscribe to the Data Center Frontier show.…