The Data Center Frontier Show

Vaire Computing Bets on Reversible Logic for 'Near Zero Energy' AI Data Centers

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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."

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

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.

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

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.

Innovating the Future: Next-Generation Data Centers

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.

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

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.