Drew Biemer, Agency Director for Energy Facility Siting and Permitting for the State of New Hampshire, sits down with Kirk to talk about the pressing need for adaptations in the state’s energy landscape amid rising demands and transitioning from coal to renewables, the challenges of "astroturfing," and the impact of data centers on energy needs

0:00 Introduction to Energy and Politics

3:24 State-Level Energy Challenges

7:34 The Complexities of Energy Opposition

12:33 Understanding Astroturfing in Energy

17:55 New Hampshire's Energy Landscape

26:01 Future of Renewable Energy in New Hampshire

33:41 Data Centers and Energy Demand

44:34 Balancing Energy Goals and Community Needs

54:42 New Hampshire's Energy Future and Exports

56:17 Data Centers and Energy Improvements

59:48 The Energy Demand Crisis

1:04:26 Local Development and Energy Projects

1:08:53 Energy Policy and National Security

1:12:57 The Engineer's Fallacy in Energy Projects

1:19:40 The Role of Community Engagement

1:23:15 Merging Data Centers and Energy

1:29:48 The Limits of Renewable Energy

1:39:10 Understanding Regulatory Structures

1:47:28 Skills for Future Opportunities in Energy

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

The surging energy demands of data centers are transforming how power is sourced, managed, and delivered.

We sit down with Eamon Perrel, Executive Vice President of Apex Clean Energy, to discuss power solutions for hyperscalers and data center operators. Eamon shares insights into the increasing role of wind and solar energy, the complexities of energy procurement, and the challenges of integrating renewables into the grid. We also explore the impact of regulatory hurdles, the emergence of microgrids, and how energy teams and data center teams are beginning to collaborate more closely than ever before.

Key Takeaways:

(06:12) Apex Clean Energy’s transition from utilities to serving tech companies.

(21:23) The role of virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) in energy sourcing.

(35:16) Hyperscalers and data center operators’ approach to power procurement.

(43:13) The potential of microgrids for more sustainable energy solutions.

(55:47) The impact of regulatory barriers and misinformation on renewable energy adoption.

(01:15:37) The rise of self-generation as a viable option for data centers.

(01:27:48) Land acquisition and permitting challenges that slow renewable projects.

(01:51:19) Future trends in energy procurement and evolving market structures.

Resources Mentioned:

Eamon Perrel

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eamon-perrel-a8b8695/

Apex Clean Energy LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/apex-clean-energy/

Apex Clean Energy Website

https://www.apexcleanenergy.com/

Goldman Sachs report on energy demand

https://www.goldmansachs.com/pdfs/insights/pages/generational-growth-ai-data-centers-and-the-coming-us-power-surge/report.pdf

US Department of Energy

https://www.energy.gov/

Thank you for listening to “Data Center Revolution.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. 

To learn more about Overwatch, visit us at https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical 

#DataCenterIndustry #NuclearEnergy #FutureOfDataCenters #AI

The rapid expansion of data centers is reshaping the industry, requiring new approaches to design, safety, and leadership. 

We’re excited to have Doug Mouton, former Senior Eng Lead, Datacenter Design Engineering and Construction at Meta, as a guest on this latest episode of the “Data Center Revolution” podcast. Doug joins us with key insights into leadership, adaptability, and the evolution of hyperscale data-center construction. He also shares his journey from military service to leading large-scale infrastructure projects in the data center industry, highlighting key transferable skills along the way. 

Key Takeaways:

(07:54) Military mindset builds strong leaders.

(14:25) Veterans thrive in high-pressure environments.

(25:32) Katrina exposed disaster preparedness gaps.

(35:16) Microsoft shifted to cost-effective data center designs.

(43:56) Data centers face growing energy challenges.

(54:26) Safety-first culture boosts efficiency and morale.

(01:21:43) Data centers must transition to hybrid cooling solutions.

(01:42:09) AI needs ethical guardrails.

Resources Mentioned:

Fidelis New Energy | Website -

https://www.fidelisinfra.com

Microsoft Azure -

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/

Meta -

https://about.meta.com/

Jacobs -

https://www.jacobs.com/

National Guard -

https://nationalguard.com/

Jones Lang LaSalle -

https://www.us.jll.com/

Thank you for listening to “Data Center Revolution.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

To learn more about Overwatch, visit us at https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical 

#DataCenterIndustry #NuclearEnergy #FutureOfDataCenters #AI

Kirk is joined by Pooya Kabiri, CEO of METIS Power, to discuss the increasing demand for efficient energy solutions in data centers, AI, microgrids, and the importance of collaboration.

0:00 Introduction to METIS Power

5:08 Power Generation Solutions

17:59 The Growing Demand for Data Centers

29:26 The Role of AI in Power Needs

37:53 Understanding Microgrids

50:51 The Future of Power and Microgrids

54:45 Microgrid Demand and Utility Dynamics

56:43 Reliability and Microgrid Solutions

59:26 Competing with Utility Providers

1:00:40 Temporary Power and Service Agreements

1:01:29 Microgrid vs. Traditional Power Solutions

1:04:55 The Role of UPS in Data Centers

1:07:31 Philosophical Perspectives on Microgrid Reliability

1:09:50 The Future of Microgrids in Data Centers

1:11:51 Fuel Supply and Market Dynamics

1:14:22 Addressing Demand Fluctuations

1:17:27 Navigating Regulatory Challenges

1:22:29 The Economics of Microgrid Operations

1:27:19 Ideal Customers and Geographical Considerations

1:31:11 Exploring Different Industry Applications

1:34:12 Microgrid Size and Scalability

1:39:05 The Future Landscape of Microgrids

1:43:45 Demystifying Microgrid Capabilities

1:48:36 Closing Thoughts and Industry Reflections

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

2:36 The Man Behind the Mic

5:10 Scotty's Military Background

8:17 Transitioning to Civilian Life

9:23 The Birth of Horse Soldier Bourbon

9:52 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

11:14 Understanding the Roots of Bourbon

13:14 The History of Whiskey Taxation

15:20 Lessons Learned in Special Operations

16:49 The Importance of Training Fundamentals

23:21 Bonds Forged in Service

25:16 Family Legacy and Military Heritage

29:03 The Impact of 9/11

55:45 Realities of the War on Terror

58:04 Proposals for Military Action

58:11 The Plan Against the Taliban

1:00:21 Hollywood and the Reality

1:05:15 The Script Dispute

1:07:21 Skills from Military Training

1:11:34 Creating a Nonprofit for Veterans

1:19:53 The Journey to the Distillery

1:24:55 Discovering Opportunities in Distillation

1:28:55 Crafting the Perfect Bourbon Bottle

1:43:24 Celebrating Brotherhood and Purpose

1:52:08 Reflections on the Army-Navy Game

Recorded with DCAC 2024, Kirk talks with Andy Kirby, DPR Construction, on the future of the construction industry.

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

Kirk is joined once again by Mike Sarraille, CEO and Founder of Talent War Group (recently acquired by Overwatch) to discuss his transition to the data center industry, the critical need for effective leadership training, particularly in the face of national security threats brought on by AI and technological demands, and the necessity of innovative approaches to leadership training to prepare the next generation of leaders.

Recorded with DCAC 2024, Kirk chats with Zachary Zawilla & David Velosa, Distributed Power Solutions, on building trust through reputation.

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

Dan Crosby, CEO and Founder of Legend Energy Advisors, joins Kirk once again to discuss the challenges at the intersection of energy demands and the data center industry, the rise of cloud computing and AI, and the importance of national security in energy independence.

Looking back at the most insightful and engaging moments from 2023. From reflections on the growth of the industry to a roundtable look at the future, take a trip down memory lane with Kirk and his guests.

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical