Not Your Father’s Data Center

In this episode, host Raymond Hawkins, Chief Customer Officer at Compass Datacenters, sits down with Miranda Gardiner, leader of the iMasons Climate Accord. Miranda Gardiner brings a rich international background—having lived and worked across Iowa, Germany, San Francisco, Abu Dhabi, and more—with deep expertise in sustainability, architecture, and green building initiatives. Her journey includes significant work at the U.S. Green Building Council and hands-on involvement with sustainable projects worldwide.The conversation explores the rapidly evolving role of data centers in a world increasingly focused on power demand, decarbonization, and environmental responsibility. Topics span the exponential growth in data center energy needs, nuclear and renewable energy’s place in the power mix, and the critical importance of sustainable materials and supply chains. Raymond and Miranda discuss the collaborative structure of the Climate Accord—including governing bodies and working groups—addressing how the industry is innovating toward measurable climate goals, equipment standards, and new ways to balance digital growth with planetary stewardship.Timestamped Overview00:00 Sustainable Design and Global Impact06:20 Solo hike in Austria09:48 Capturing Energy from Lightning10:49 Fortuitous Career Transition Story13:52 Collaborative Leadership in Decarbonization17:55 Strategic Alliances for Clean Energy21:50 Powering Digital Interactions at Scale23:55 Energy challenges and perceptions29:10 Industry Leaders Drive Climate Action32:07 Building a Greener Future Together33:48 Equipment and Environmental Collaboration38:03 Responsible Digital Infrastructure Insights

The video is an episode of "Not Your Father's Data Center" hosted by Raymond Hawkins, who is joined by David Liot, CEO and founder of Data Center Hawk, and the company's global leadership team at the PTC conference in Hawaii. Data Center Hawk is a subscription-based platform providing data and analytics on supply, demand, pricing, and trends for over 115 global data center markets on a quarterly basis.The discussion focuses on the challenges and trends in the global data center business, particularly regarding power and the impact of the AI boom, with a regional breakdown provided by the Data Center Hawk team.Key Regional Insights on Power and Trends:APAC (Asia-Pacific), led by Daddy Escandar:Power situations are unevenly distributed.Tier one markets like Japan, Singapore, and Australia face similar issues to the US, with power delivery timelines extending to 8–10 years or as fast as 1–2 years.Grid quality is also unequal, leading to the use of non-traditional power sources in tier two markets like Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and India.A significant project is Google's announced 5-gigawatt data center in India, which requires massive grid upgrades in the Chennai region.AI is viewed differently across the region, and many new deployments (45-50%) are being designed as "AI ready," giving the region the luxury of time to prepare before the customers arrive.Nuclear energy is not yet popular, though SMR (Small Modular Reactor) technology is being assessed in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia as a fast option for energy where grid quality is poor.Latin America (LATAM), led by Steve Sass:Brazil is the largest market, accounting for 40-45% of the region. It is well-set up for power, with growth spreading from São Paulo and Rio to tier two markets.The region benefits from submarine cable capacity and interconnection, which draws development to coastal areas.Mexico faces power constraints, specifically transmission issues, in areas like Querétaro, with some large data center companies unable to sell space due to expected power delays of one or two years.Transmission is the biggest constraint.Private companies may charge high interconnection fees ($800–$1,000 KVA) for connecting to a substation in an industrial park.Argentina may see investments due to the discovery of the second-largest natural gas reserve in the south, potentially mirroring the growth in West Texas.Most countries in LATAM (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay) have 80-95% renewable energy, primarily from hydro (50-70%).LATAM is waiting for the AI "wave" to hit, as connectivity is needed first; Chinese cloud companies are growing capacity rapidly in the region.North America, led by Ed Soja:Power constraints are regional; Texas has exploded with projects in West Texas (Abilene, Amarillo) and South Dallas, due to the adoption of natural gas as a power source.Projects are moving to tertiary, non-traditional markets due to power availability, such as P Washington, Wisconsin, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico.Large-scale gigawatt developments are still occurring, but there's a return to 20–50 megawatt deployments following a hub-and-spoke model.Natural gas is currently used in the US as a "bridging power solution" to get projects running quickly in constrained markets until utility power is available. Its adoption is shaping development locations.There is a shift toward nuclear power, with hyperscalers acquiring and talking about building reactors. The host predicts significant nuclear data center projects in the US by 2030.EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), led by David Saunders:The main challenge is finding available land and power in suitable locations.Data center operators are partnering with power companies to solve generation, transmission, and distribution challenges.Europe has a lot of planned capacity, but the timeline for power delivery is uncertain.The planning and regulatory framework is complex, and a shortage of skilled labor is also a factor.The legacy FLAP-D markets (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin) are slowing down, particularly Dublin due to a political moratorium. Emerging markets like Nordic and Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece) are gaining momentum.The UK government has dedicated data centers as critical national infrastructure, which could speed up the regulatory process.The Irish government recently announced that large energy users can apply to develop gas power plants to support their businesses.The Middle East is an emerging market with exceptional growth. Saudi Arabia and UAE are the two major markets, with plans for multi-gigawatt campuses. The region aims to become the AI hub connecting Asia and Europe.Outlook on the AI Boom:.David Liot (CEO, Data Center Hawk) predicts a 3-to-5-year window for the current "straight up" AI boom, constrained by supply and alternative energy pathways.The key factors to track globally are: who has the power, who has the money (for billion-dollar projects), and who has the chips.Data Center Hawk tracked 3 gigawatts of absorption in the US in 2023, 6.8 gigawatts in 2024, and 15.6 gigawatts in 2025, which the speaker notes represents roughly $2 trillion in transactional value.Other speakers believe the runway is much longer, as large-scale enterprise adoption of AI in sectors like finance and healthcare is still in its infancy.

In this episode, Raymond Hawkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Compass Datacenters, sits down with Mark Spieler, Senior Managing Director of Global Energy Industry at NVIDIA. Mark shares his unique background, from growing up in Minnesota and working at Cray Research and Silicon Graphics, to a 13-year tenure at Halliburton across commercial, finance, and mergers and acquisitions roles, before joining NVIDIA in 2019 to lead their global energy business.The conversation explores the rising impact of AI on energy consumption, positioning data centers as the new “AI factories”—manufacturing knowledge with data and electrons as raw materials. Mark discusses Nvidia’s evolution from gaming hardware to high-performance computing and AI platforms, unlocking efficiencies and new capabilities. Key topics include energy efficiency gains in AI workloads, the future of nuclear power and SMRs for data centers, grid optimization, and the transformative economic and social potential of AI. The episode offers deep insights into the intersection of technology, energy, and the data center industry’s future.Timestamped Overview00:00 Intro & Marc’s Background03:44 Corporate Transition to SGI08:26 Career Transition: Halliburton to NVIDIA12:04 From Gaming to AI Platform Leader16:03 AI Empowering Industries, Not Replacing17:47 AI Enhancing Legal Profession Tasks22:44 AI Cost Decline and Adoption Shift23:33 Data Center Consolidation and AI Efficiency27:53 NVIDIA’s Energy Solutions Collaboration30:36 Nuclear Energy: Safe and Underappreciated34:21 How NVIDIA is Innovating Energy Solutions

In this episode, Raymond Hawkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Compass Datacenters, sits down with Marc Borrett, co-founder and CEO of Reactive Technologies. Marc brings a fascinating background spanning electronics innovation, telecom engineering, and the energy sector. Having launched technology ventures from battery chargers to Star Wars toys, Marc’s journey led him from semiconductors to tackling the evolving challenges of modern power grids.The conversation explores the global energy transition, focusing on how the shift from traditional, fossil-fuel-based generation to renewables has transformed grid dynamics. Marc explains the increasing complexity of grid management, the need for real-time data, and the importance of measuring and maintaining grid stability in a world of distributed, less predictable energy sources. The dialogue delves into Reactive’s unique approach—leveraging grid physics to both communicate with and monitor assets at the grid’s edge—and how understanding grid strength and stability can shape smarter investments, operational decisions, and data center siting in an energy-constrained world.Timestamped Overview00:00 Entrepreneurial Journey in Electronics03:46 Chip Innovation Sparks NFC Revolution09:55 Energy Management for Carrefour14:27 Grid Communication Challenges Explored18:53 Power Station Grid Stabilization Explained21:43 Grid Stability in Energy Transition25:58 Optimizing Grid Signal Integration28:44 Accurate Real-Time Grid Measurement33:08 Time-of-Use Tariffs & Demand Trends34:30 U.S. Energy Demand: Duck Curve

Host Raymond Hawkins is live from the picturesque PTC 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii, joined by three seasoned industry experts: Martin Antunez from LATAM Entry LLC, David Liggit from datacenterHawk, and Barro Luitjes from KevlinX.Martin, the founder and CEO of LATAM Entry LLC, provides insights into the Latin American data center ecosystem, focusing on subsea cables, land developers, and fiber providers. The discussion highlights the region's fast-growing market, the substantial investments in infrastructure, and the challenges like energy tariffs and government regulation.David Liggit, founder and CEO of datacenterHawk, offers a comprehensive view of the North American data center market. The conversation explores the unprecedented growth driven by AI, emerging secondary and tertiary markets, and the importance of holistic strategies for power and community relationships.Barro Luitjes, strategy head at KevlinX, discusses the European data center landscape, emphasizing the shift to underserved regions due to regulatory constraints in traditional markets. He also talks about the importance of educating stakeholders and partnering with power providers for sustainable growth.Timestamped Overview00:00 Intro & Driving Data Center Growth LATAM04:42 Bridging US and Latin America07:42 Streamlining Deal-Making Insights09:33 Navy Influence: From Law to Finance14:59 Colombia's AI Implementation Bill Insights16:56 AI-Driven Infrastructure Expansion21:21 Regulation-Driven Market Shifts24:22 European Employment Strategy Explained28:16 Power Partnerships in Industry29:36 Energy Strategy Development in Queretaro34:34 Data Center Benefits and Opportunities37:19 Optimizing Europe's Data Center Strategy

In this engaging episode, Raymond Hawkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Compass Datacenters, interviews Kirk Offel, CEO, and founder of Overwatch.The conversation delves into Kirk’s illustrious military background, highlighting his tenure on the USS Memphis submarine, rigorous deployments, and transition to civilian life. Kirk recounts the challenging yet rewarding experiences at sea and the unique leadership and technical skills honed through military service.Topics include the military's role in fostering discipline and the significant technological advancements veterans bring to civilian industries. Kirk shares insights on his decision to leave a traditional career to establish Overwatch, emphasizing the value of veteran-owned businesses.The discussion explores the evolving tech landscape, veterans' adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning. Raymond and Kirk also reflect on honoring Vietnam veterans, the significance of supportive communities in veteran transitions, and the inspiration behind founding the Data Center Anti Conference (DCAC).Timestamped Overview00:00 Intro01:09 Kirk’s background04:13 Military service inspires veteran entrepreneurship and community.09:36 Gen Z surpassing Baby Boomers in workforce.10:44 Military offers advanced tech training without war risks.16:32 Navy offered broader options than SEER training.18:33 Submarine community: intellectual, rigorous, challenging, competitive.20:54 Real deployments with impactful military missions.25:35 Vietnam vets deserve respect and gratitude.29:33 Lead with empathy and adaptability during transitions.30:37 Community collaboration empowers veterans for meaningful careers.34:25 Empowering veterans through community, networking, and conferences.37:59 Helping veterans is my purpose-driven mission.40:36 Kirk's invite prompts fear of workout readiness.

Today, host Raymond Hawkins chats with Mike Netzer, VP of Sales at datacenterHawk, a professional with a diverse background, from managing pension portfolios to diving deep into the data center industry. Originating from the Northeast with stints in Idaho, Connecticut, Florida, and Texas, Mike brings a rich mix of experiences and insights to the table.The dialogue meticulously covers a range of timely topics concerning the data center industry. Mike and Raymond delve into the increasing demands on power generation driven by growing data center capacities and touch upon the economic shifts brought on by large tech deals, specifically in the realms of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The significance of viewing data centers as critical infrastructure similar to roads and water treatment facilities is comprehensively analyzed, reflecting on their indispensable role in modern societies. The discussion further explores the impact of AI on technological advancements, the potential adaptability of nuclear energy in data centers, and the broader implications of energy pricing on the industry's economic viability.

In this engaging episode, Raymond Hawkins, the Chief Revenue Officer at Compass, is joined by George Rockett, the founder of DatacenterDynamics & Co-Founder of Yotta.George shares his journey from being a humble advertising salesperson to the inception of DatacenterDynamics magazine in 1998. Their conversation unfolds to cover the evolution of enterprise data centers, the burst of the .com bubble, and the concept of zero downtime. The historical context of data centers and the early days of technology are discussed, shedding light on the industry's development and perception over time.With some fantastic analogies, the episode delves into topics such as systems thinking, integrating polymaths to address industry challenges, and the urgency for quicker action due to vast opportunities. George presents his innovative endeavor, Yotta, and stresses the unification of language and communication within the digital infrastructure industry. George’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-rockett-b18a3b4/?originalSubdomain=uk

In this episode, Raymond dives back into the world of college football as the playoffs take center stage. Joined by esteemed guests Mike Baudendistel, Director of Sales for the Data Center sector at Bloom Energy, and Buddy Rizer, the Executive Director of Economic Development in Loudoun County, Virginia, the episode promises a lively discussion on the recent playoff selections.As the first week of December unfolds, we take a break from the tech talk to share insights on the college football landscape. From Michigan's anticipated presence to the controversies surrounding Florida State's exclusion, Raymond, Mike, and Buddy provide a unique blend of humor and expertise.Join the conversation as they break down the committee's decisions, discuss the surprises and snubs, and prophesize the outcomes of the season. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just looking for a fun departure from the data center discussions, this episode promises some good old fashion sports banter.

In this episode, Data Center and Technology Expert Bill Kleyman joins the show.After 15 years in the technology space, Bill has the chance to see quite the endless advancements. Today, he works with leaders in digital infrastructure to help build a more sustainable and inclusive future and support an ever-connected digital society. He is also a contributing editor to leading industry publications, including Data Center Frontier, Data Center Knowledge, ITPro Today, and InformationWeek.Today they discuss the evolution of generative AI, but before they get there, Bill tells the fascinating story of his journey to America, fleeing a dangerous radioactive Kiev after the Chernobyl fallout in the late 1980s. They then discuss the incredible advancements we’re seeing in generative AI, and how that can help in a myriad of ways across data centers, technology, health, and everything in between.To connect with Bill, visit his website (https://billkleyman.com/) and connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/billkleyman/).

Today, David Liggitt joins the show to talk about data center expansion.David Liggitt is the Founder of and CEO at datacenterHawk, helping data center professionals make the best decisions possible. With over 15 years in commercial real estate and extensive experience navigating the data center industry, David understands the communication between data center providers, users, vendors, investors, and consultants.Today they discuss expansion into major markets across the US, as well as into international areas around the globe, while accommodating the need for power to run these processes. They touch on the introduction of AI into the marketplace and the future of data centers across the world.Connect with David here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidliggitt/

In this episode of Not Your Father’s Data Center, Raymond sits down with Dr Arnold Glass, Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University to discuss the impacts of technology in the classroom.With a PhD in Psychology from Stanford University, Dr Glass has been working in the cognitive neuroscience of learning field, with a focus on the science of instruction. Recently, his focus has been on the effects technology has on the learning process and ability of college students.In a fascinating discussion, Raymond and Dr Glass explore the impacts technology has on students, comparing his findings from the classroom 15 years ago to now, and how detrimental multitasking has become in college lectures.You can connect with Dr Arnold Glass on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnold-glass-6134825/Or connect via his Professor page on the Rutger’s University website: https://psych.rutgers.edu/faculty-profiles-a-contacts/98-arnold-glass