There's been Gigawatts of on-site power procured for data centers this year. And there's likely much more to come as the rise of AI boosts demand for data center capacity.

Today on Data Center Richness our topic is on-site power and the new energy landscape. Our guest is KC Mares of Megawatt Consulting, who has worked with many of the most consequential companies and projects in the history of the data center industry.

At a time when site selection and power availability are evolving rapidly, KC is helping data center operators adapt to this new world, especially in deploying on-site generation. Mares believes on-site power is not just a bridge solution, but a key strategy for the future as data centers diversify their power resources.

Today on Data Center Richness, KC shares his insights on the energy landscape, the growth of on-site power, and the road ahead for digital infrastructure. Here's an overview of our conversation:

00:00 - The Rise of On-Site Power at Data Centers

01:02 - About KC Mares and his Data Center Journey

04:00 - The State of Data Center Site Selection

08:50 - How AI Has Changed The Equation

18:12 - Turbine Availability & Scaling On-Site Power

27:20 - Energy Storage as an Enabler for Solar and Wind

38:50 - Community Relations and Data Centers in the Headlines

45:15 - The Road Ahead: How AI Can Be A Force for A Better Grid

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At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

NOW ON SUBSTACK!

Check out the Data Center Richness Substack:
https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/

On the Web:
Data Center Richness
https://datacenterpodcast.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW

Megawatt Consulting
https://megawattconsulting.com/

KC Mares on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kcmares/

Rich Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:

Why Every Data Center Pro is Talking About Power (Dan Crosby)
https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU?si=PyyLwfBINXWtI8oo

Unlocking Power for AI Growth (Tyler Norris)
https://youtu.be/D6-1QxRRxoA?si=VHUbBdImjKbqAs4g

Why Data Centers Are Turning to Bloom Energy
https://youtu.be/Z-udNWq2bAg?si=vHOizsz7AqT5M7eQ

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Data centers are economic engines of the new economy. Every data center starts as an idea, with a location attached. It takes a lot of funding, planning and execution to create these complex facilities.

Today on Data Center Richness, we share a behind-the-scenes look at how investors and developers work together to bring a data center project from concept to reality. Our guests are Sabey Data Centers President Tim Mirick and Jeff Kanne, the President and CEO of National Real Estate Advisors. The two companies have been working together since 2010, with National Real Estate providing the capital to enable Sabey its footprint across the US.

It's a fascinating conversation that provides a glimpse into how these relationships work, and how investment strategy and company culture translate into new to support data center customers. And how those models adapt to the super-sized development environment of 2025 and beyond.

Here's an overview of the discussion, hosted by Rich Miller of Data Center Richness.

00:00 - Intro: Why Capital Matters in Data Center Development

01:30 - Tim Mirick's Data Center Journey, and the Sabey Data Centers story.

05:00 - Meet Jeff Kanne, and National Real Estate Advisors

08:15 - The Investor Perspective: How NREA Evaluates Development Opportunities

11:20 - The Operator Perspective: How Sabey Approaches Project Development

14:45 - Sabey's Growth Story - Expanding Beyond the Pacific Northwest

22:50 - The Next Phase: Why Austin?

26:25 - The Current AI Boom: Assessing Risk and Opportunity

31:50 - Developing Strategy in a Complex Market

36:00 - Customer Models - Enterprise vs. Hyperscale vs Neoclouds

39:45 - The Road Ahead: How Sabey and NREA See the Future

----------------------------------------------------------------------

At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights:
https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

NOW ON SUBSTACK!
Check out the Data Center Richness Substack:
https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/

On the Web:
Data Center Richness
https://datacenterpodcast.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW

Sabey Data Centers
https://sabeydatacenters.com/

National Real Estate Advisors
https://natadvisors.com/

Sabey Expands Power Availability Across Key Campuses
https://sabeydatacenters.com/news/sabey-expands-power-availability-across-key-campuses

Rich Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:

What's Next in Data Center Investing?
https://youtu.be/XITavRKbXF4?si=eDV53Vj3a0bj9AmM

What's Next for Data Center Real Estate?
https://youtu.be/H2FFJfm5wug?si=ITkZ2ILcyrqyXjn6

All video by Data Center Richness.

Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound
https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx

What Data Center Innovation Looks Like in the Age of AI

Data center development is moving fast, and so is the computing technology that lives inside them. The AI boom is accelerating just about everything, placing a premium on innovation. So what does data center innovation look like in 2025 and beyond?

To explore this question, we turned to Phill Lawson-Shanks, the Chief Innovation Officer at Aligned Data Centers. Phill has been involved in transformative work in the sector for years, from the edge of the network to the center of the data hall.

On today's show, Phill shares how modular designs are helping Aligned keep pace with new technology and new hardware, adapting to changes in power and cooling infrastructure, and all the while staying keenly focused on sustainability.

00:00 - Intro and Phill's "Data Center Journey"

04:16 - What innovation looks like in the age of AI

08:45 - The importance of modularity in an evolving design environment

14:20 - Managing infrastructure through the cloud to AI transition

19:45 - Extending innovation to site selection and the power landscape

24:30 - Prioritizing sustainabilty in a rapidly-evolving energy industry

27:30 - Future-proofing cooling infrastructure

31:30 - The Next 5 Years - How Phill sees it

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

NOW ON SUBSTACK!

Check out the Data Center Richness Substack:
https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/

On the Web:
Data Center Richness
https://datacenterpodcast.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW
Aligned Data Centers
https://aligneddc.com/

Phil Lawson-Shanks on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/plawsonshanks/

Rich Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:

How Aligned is Tackling the Data Center Density Challenge
https://youtu.be/_zeLScBMDxk?si=k6t3xZIJKfWbBdjl

A Closer Look at Two-Phase Liquid Cooling
https://youtu.be/w_Us94JgYzc

How Will Data Centers Be Different in 2030
https://youtu.be/IUO8fUWNoX8?si=QjhHEBlvx3fMR0Z

All video by Data Center Richness.

Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx

Energy is the lifeblood of every data center. As the AI boom has gained velocity, the focus on energy has intensified as power demand has effectively maxed out existing grid capacity in major data center markets. Understanding the finer points of power has never been more important.

Dan Crosby has helped explain the complexities of the energy market for the data center sector. Dan is the founder and CEO of Legend Energy Advisors, where he and his team helped deploy clients deploy multiple gigawatts of data center projects in 2024.

On this edition of the Data Center Richness. Dan shared his take on how long the current power constraints might last, the growing profile of natural gas for powering large loads, and the opportunities and challenges in deploying onsite power at data centers.

00:00 - Why energy matters right now.

01:32 - Dan Crosby's "Data Center Journey" and background

04:00 - How Legend Energy Advisors works with data center clients.

06:20 - How long will key data center markets remain power-constrained.

10:50 - Onsite power for data centers - the opportunities and challenges.

15:45 - Designing loads and grids - how to manage dynamic power.

18:12 - What are the best strategies to collaborate with utilities?

21:11 - Load flexibility, and how to make it work.

25:15 - The rising profile of natural gas, and the role of renewable energy.

32:50 - Data centers as anchor customers for next-generation nuclear.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

NOW ON SUBSTACK!

Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/

On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW

Legend Energy Advisors
https://legendenergyadvisors.com/

Dan Crosby on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-crosby-a58a3212/

Rich Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:

Data Centers, AI and the Future of Power (Elisa Wood)
https://youtu.be/EYo2YK7L5q0?si=ewmU1WMbkHU2lnSh

Unlocking Power for AI Growth (Tyler Norris)
https://youtu.be/D6-1QxRRxoA?si=VHUbBdImjKbqAs4g

Why Data Centers Are Turning to Bloom Energy
https://youtu.be/Z-udNWq2bAg?si=vHOizsz7AqT5M7eQ

All video by Data Center Richness.

Supplemental thumbnail art by Storyblocks

Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx

When a data center project comes to town, a question often asked by residents and local officials is "what's in it for us?" What if there was a guide that could help local officials understand the upside of how digital services can transform their work and their community?

Today we continue our series on data centers and community controversies. Our guest is Ilissa Miller, the CEO of iMiller Public Relations, who has deep experience communicating the benefits of digital infrastructure. Iliisa has also held local office in her community, a role that informs her current work with the OIX Digital Infrastructure Framework, which provides guidance for community planners and economic development officials.

The goal is to empower community leaders to understand the infrastructure they have, what they need, and how to plan for what's coming. Ilissa has also has insights into the current challenges for data centers in community relations.

Here's an overview of the conversation between host RIch Miller and Ilissa Miller of iMiller PR:

00:00 - A Framework for Better Community Conversations

02:20 - From Opera to Digital Infrastructure: Ilissa Miller's Data Center Journey

05:20 - iMiller PR and its Mission and Services

07:40 - The History of Data Centers and Secrecy

13:50 - How to Improve the Media Narrative

17:30 - Introducing the Digital Infrastructure Framework

21:00 - Digital Infrastructure as a Tool for Master Planning

22:00 - Getting the Word Out

24:30 -Helping Communities Understand the Benefits of Digital Services

26:40 - Where to Learn More

----------------------------------------------------------------------

At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

NOW ON SUBSTACK!

Check out the Data Center Richness Substack:
https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/

On the Web:
Data Center Richness
https://datacenterpodcast.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW:

The OIX Digital Infrastructure Framework
https://www.oix.org/standards-and-certifications/oix-dif-standard/

iMiller Public Relations
https://www.imillerpr.com/

Follow Ilissa Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilissamiller/

Follow Rich Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:
Data Centers and Community Controversies
https://youtu.be/syRpAj9aCSg?si=aYveuysL-DGCfC5O

We've seen a lot of headlines about data centers lately, especially controversies in communities considering large new data center campuses to support AI.

Community resistance to data centers is not new, but has escalated rapidly in recent months, with a number of projects being canceled or delayed amid community outcry, including some that represented billions of dollars in local investment.

Adam Waitkunas of Milldam Public Relations publishes a newsletter tracking data center controversies and how local communities are shaping the future of data center growth. Adam and host Rich Miller discuss why we're seeing more of these controversies, some of the key factors in community resistance, and what data centers can do to change the narrative and address some of the concerns about AI development.

It's an important topic, and one we need to talk more about. Digital services are a growing part of our entertainment, business and social lives, and that trend will continue. Data centers are the engines of this digital economy.

Here's an overview of the conversation:

00:00 - Overview: Community controversies are on the rise.

01:48 - About Adam Waitkunas of Milldam PR and the Zoning In newsletter.

05:45 - How We Got Here: The evolution of community controversies.

10:12 - Community Awareness and Data Center Development

15:00 - Transparency and Why It Matters

19:18 - Best Practices for Communicating With the Community

20:56 - Public Officials on the Hot Seat.

24:40 - Localizing the Community Conversation

27:00 - NDAs and Community Relations

29:15 - A Legacy of Secrecy. Time for a change?

35:00 - How Media Coverage Shapes the Narratives

39:00 - Could the data center industry be doing more?

41:10 - Building Bridges and Expertise

----------------------------------------------------------------------

At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

NOW ON SUBSTACK!

Check out the Data Center Richness Substack:
https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/

On the Web:
Data Center Richness
https://datacenterpodcast.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW:

Milldam Public Relations
https://milldampr.com/

Follow Adam Waitkunas on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/awaitkunas/

Follow Rich Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:

What's Next for Data Center Real Estate?
https://youtu.be/H2FFJfm5wug?si=NLKTZmDMDm5bS6Sx

Mastering High-Density Cooling
https://youtu.be/_zeLScBMDxk?si=432CIwTrRQjgw3_q

Why AI Will Be A Paradigm Shift
https://youtu.be/u-Lv9MwS7x8?si=TCP_HUMfghSktAP0

All video by Data Center Richness.
Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound
https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx

It's been a big year for Bloom Energy, a fuel cell manufacturer which has been winning large deals to provide power for data centers.

Our guest on Data Center Richness is Jeff Barber, the Vice President of Data Center Sales for Bloom Energy. Jeff discusses why Bloom is providing on-site power for large data centers AND their utility providers, and how fuel cells can address some of the community concerns about noise and emissions from data center projects.

Here's a guide to our discussion:

00:00 - Intro: A Big Year for Bloom Energy

00:55 - Jeff Barber's Data Center Journey, and an overview of Bloom Energy

03:35 - Data Centers, Fuel Cells and Bloom Energy's Strategy

08:58 - Where Bloom Fits in the Shift to On-Site Power

13:30 - Data Centers, Utilities and Power Pricing

15:30 - Bringing Fuel Cells to Internet Scale

17:30 - AI Workloads, Power Fluctuations and Stability

20:48 - CoreWeave and Bloom - Densification and Faster Time to Power

22:45 - Bloom Energy and AEP - On-Site Power Through a Utility Partnership

25:45 - Bloom's Deal with Oracle - Power at Scale, Within 90 Days

29:00 - The Future of Power, and Bloom's Opportunity

NOW ON SUBSTACK!

Check out the Data Center Richness Substack
https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/

At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights:

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW:

Bloom Energy
https://www.bloomenergy.com/industries/data-center-power/

Follow Jeff Barber on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jabarber1/

Follow Rich Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:

Flexibility: The Key to Unlocking More Data Center Power
https://youtu.be/D6-1QxRRxoA

Data Centers, AI and the Future of Power
https://youtu.be/EYo2YK7L5q0?si=hc4pFlJ68jPSuP61

All video by Data Center Richness.

Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx

Cooling is a hot topic in the data center industry. Few companies have been more focused on cooling than Aligned Data Centers, which builds hyperscale facilities for some of the world's leading players in cloud computing and AI.

Our guest today is Michael Welch, the Chef Technology Officer at Aligned, who discusses how Aligned is updating its products and designs for the rising densities in AI workloads, and why an advanced cooling lab is an important part of the company's strategy.

Data Center Richness host Rich Miller and Michael Welch discuss the following topics:

00:00 - Intro: Cooling is a Hot Topic

00:52 - Meet Michael Welch and an overview of Aligned Data Centers

03:50 - The State of Data Center Cooling

08:00 - The Delta Cubed and Delta Flow systems

11:00 - Hybrid Environments: Air Cooling and Liquid Cooling, Working Together

16:42 - The Aligned Advanced Cooling Lab

20:33 - How Higher Density Can Enabl;e Server Waste Heat Reuse

23:50 - On-Site Power and the Future of Energy

26:00 - The Improving Economics of Fuel Calls and BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems)

28:08 - How Aligned Optimizes its Supply Chain

31:25 - The Supply Chain in the Gigawatt Era

35:05 - The Road Ahead: Designing for Bigger, Denser Data Centers

At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years.

Subscribe to our channel for more insights:
https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1

On the Web:
Data Center Richness
https://datacenterpodcast.com/

LINKS FROM THIS SHOW:

Aligned Data Centers
https://aligneddc.com/

Inside Aligned's Advanced Cooling Lab
https://youtu.be/-aq_uVdZ6eA?si=Q4wTNvTYlLNA4lfy

Follow Michael Welch on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-welch-0a7b092b/

Follow Rich Miller on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/

RELATED VIDEOS:

A Closer Look at Two-Phase Liquid Cooling
https://youtu.be/w_Us94JgYzc

How Will Data Centers Be Different in 2030
https://youtu.be/IUO8fUWNoX8?si=QjhHEBlvx3fMR0Z

All video by Data Center Richness.

Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx