The AI Boom, Power Crunch and the Rise of Data Ecosystems
In this episode, Raymond Hawkins welcomes back Bill (Vitaly) Kleyman—CEO and founder of Apolo, industry thought leader, and data center prognosticator extraordinaire. Bill shares his personal journey, from immigrating to the U.S. as a Ukrainian refugee fleeing the Soviet Union, to becoming a leading voice in tech innovation and AI. The conversation opens with reflections on Ukraine’s ongoing conflict and its impact on Bill’s family.The discussion pivots to the explosive growth and renaissance in the data center sector, driven by surging AI demand. Raymond and Bill cover topics such as power constraints, rack density, the rise of liquid cooling, and the shift toward AI-powered solutions for enterprise and public sector challenges. Bill also explores practical AI use cases Apollo is delivering, from improved municipal services and sentiment analysis to cutting-edge applications in agriculture and finance. The episode offers an energetic, forward-looking perspective on the future of data center infrastructure and AI.Note: This conversation was recorded in June; references to the Ukraine–Russia conflict reflect the situation at that time and may not fully reflect the present moment.Timestamped Overview00:00 Intro & Bill’s Background07:10 Ukraine/Russia: Defending Against Constant Assaults12:54 Honor Ukraine's Security Guarantees14:02 Ukraine Conflict Outcome Scenarios22:23 Military Concerns Over Peace Deal25:14 Untapped Potential of Generative AI26:38 Exploring AI's Practical Applications31:26 AI & Data Centers' Power Demand33:27 Powerful Shift in Data Centers36:45 Leveling the Corporate Tech Playing Field42:09 Reaching Next-Level Data Center Efficiency45:12 AI Usecases 54:55 Scalable, Meaningful Infrastructure Partnership56:21 Democratizing AI: Expanding Possibilities
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From Inertia to Innovation: What Data Centers Need to Know About Grid Health
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
Data Center Industry Trends: What's on the Horizon from PTC '25
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
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Beyond the Cloud: Data Centers' Economic Impact vs. Policy & Sustainability
In this discussion, Raymond Hawkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Compass Datacenters, engages with Dr. Terry Clower, a distinguished professor of public policy at George Mason University, who also serves as the director of the Center for Regional Analysis and the Stephen Fuller Institute.The conversation delves into the strategic considerations for data center siting and land use, contrasting U.S. practices with European models. Dr. Clower provides insights on the essential role of data centers in the data economy and their impact on regional development.The dialogue touches upon critical issues like power consumption and sustainability, highlighting power planning, renewable energy sources, and the potential to revitalize nuclear infrastructure. The significance of data centers in modern economic development strategies is discussed, especially their influence on local tax bases and low infrastructure strain.Overall, the discussion offers valuable perspectives on how municipalities can integrate data centers into their economies, emphasizing long-term planning and the evolving landscape of utility and energy demands.Timestamped Overview:00:00 Intro00:52 Navigated unstable job market, transitioned to logistics.04:49 Recruited to lead Center for Regional Analysis.08:28 Varied localities' attitudes impact economic development approaches.12:20 Buddy Reiser navigates data center challenges locally.15:25 All data centers need careful land allocation.17:59 Renewables insufficient; old infrastructure revived due to demand.19:43 Data centers’ demand reshaping power industry dynamics.22:51 Exploring nuclear solutions to reduce waste.26:18 Data center proximity doesn't affect property value.30:28 Adapt to data economy or face constraints.35:27 Minor adjustments can help economies grow again.37:41 Northern Virginia's electrician apprenticeships thrive, creating jobs.
Hosted by Compass Chief Customer Officer, Raymond Hawkins, Not Your Father’s Data Center doesn’t only talk about data centers, but anything and everything of interest in our industry.
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