Not Your Father’s Data Center

On this episode of Not Your Fathers Datacenter, Raymond Hawkins sits down with Jerome Soltani, Global Head of Services at Schneider Electric, to explore how predictive maintenance and partnership are transforming data center operations. Jerome Soltani shares his global journey from France to the US, reflecting on his two decades at Schneider, his experiences growing service teams, and the challenges of managing critical infrastructure at ever-increasing scale.
The conversation dives deep into the technological shifts shaping the data center industry—especially the move from traditional, reactive maintenance toward predictive, data-driven strategies that leverage AI and advanced connectivity. Jerome Soltani explains how maintaining at a system level, rather than an asset-by-asset approach, is essential for uptime, efficiency, and ultimately customer satisfaction. The discussion also highlights workforce challenges, the importance of training the next generation through initiatives like the Texas State Technical College partnership, and ongoing efforts to drive sustainability and community impact.
Through candid insights and real-world examples—including managing more than 1200 power centers across multiple US sites—Raymond Hawkins and Jerome Soltani showcase how collaborative innovation is enabling the data center industry to scale, adapt, and thrive. 
Whether you’re on the operations floor or in the boardroom, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the future of digital infrastructure.

00:00 Intro & Welcome
04:29 Rising Through the Ranks to SVP
09:02 Epic Haleakala Climb Adventure
12:14 The Untold Challenges of Liquid Cooling in AI
14:16 Embracing Predictive Maintenance Revolution
18:24 Predictive Maintenance Revolutionizes Data Centers
20:24 Unlocking Massive Opex Savings
26:15 Addressing Industry Workforce Crisis
29:26 Reno Campus' Game-Changing Donation
33:57 Streamlining Systems to Boost Satisfaction
36:33 Schneider's Bold Sustainability Mission
39:40 Behind-the-Scenes Partnership Secrets

In this episode, Raymond Hawkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Compass Datacenters, is joined by David Porter, Vice President of Electrification and Sustainable Energy Strategy at EPRI—formerly known as the Electric Power Research Institute. With a career spanning mechanical engineering at Duke Energy, stints across the US energy landscape, and over 17 years at EPRI, David Porter brings deep industry insight into the intersection of energy and data infrastructure.
Their discussion explores the rapid evolution of data center power demand, shifting from kilowatt to gigawatt requirements within a decade. The conversation unpacks the unique challenges this poses for power utilities, such as mismatched development timelines, grid transmission constraints, and the need for adaptable grid-responsive infrastructure. Key topics include EPRI’s nonprofit, science-based research mission; the rise of grid-interactive data centers; the DC Flex initiative for flexible load management; and the critical impact of load growth on grid affordability and efficiency. The episode offers a detailed look at how collaboration between data centers and utilities can enhance grid resilience and lower costs for everyone.

Timestamped Overview
00:00 Intro
03:25 EPRI's public benefit mission
09:50 Data centers and electric transport
13:02 Energy demand forecasting for developers
15:00 Challenges with data center power constraints
17:49 Transmission vs. distribution systems
21:45 Improving energy transmission efficiency
23:35 Bridging data centers and utilities
28:06 Evolution of the Data Center Industry
31:42 Explaining the Flex Mosaic framework
35:30 Planning for grid capacity challenges
38:31 Importance of Frequency in Power Grids
41:05 Energy demand and frequency issues
45:56 Golfing chat

In this episode, Raymond Hawkins, Chief Customer Officer at Compass Data Centers, sits down with Dan Cook, founder and Managing Director of Solar Stone. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Dan Cook brings a diverse background rooted in commodities and metals trading before moving into utility-scale solar and battery development, overseeing projects totaling approximately 2 gigawatts.
The conversation spans the dramatic growth in data center power demand, including how this surge has challenged both generation and transmission infrastructure. Dan Cook provides context from his energy brokerage and commodity experience, discussing supply chain constraints, queue backlogs for new generation assets, and the complexities of interconnection.
Key themes include the impact of speculative projects on development timelines, the evolving landscape of long-duration storage technologies, and the role of federal incentives in renewable energy. The discussion also covers PR challenges for data centers, grid-connected versus behind-the-meter solutions, and the nuanced relationship between data center developers, utilities, and end users.

Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Rising demand for copper mining
06:11 Challenges in energy transmission
09:50 Challenges with data center power needs
11:04 Challenges for Data Center Development
16:12 Land strategy for renewable projects
18:24 Challenges in grid development collaboration
22:14 Rise of renewable energy in data centers
25:09 Discussing project site opportunities
27:58 Focusing on regional solar projects
32:53 Utility procurement and renewable energy trends
36:28 Long duration energy storage
38:27 Federal tax credits discussion
43:33 Discussing solar energy basics

In this episode, Raymond Hawkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Compass Datacenters, sits down with Matt Loszak, co-founder and CEO of Aalo Atomics. Matt Loszak shares his personal journey from growing up with severe asthma in Ontario—an experience that inspired his fascination with nuclear energy after coal plant closures led to both cleaner air and the end of his symptoms. His career spans from nuclear engineering studies to successful tech entrepreneurship, and eventually back to his roots in the energy sector with Aalo Atomics.
The discussion explores the current and future challenges of powering rapidly scaling data centers, focusing on the unprecedented demand for clean, scalable electricity. Topics include the limitations of the current grid, the viability of modular and “extra modular” reactor technologies, and the promise of vertically integrated nuclear solutions. Matt Loszak offers deep insights into Aalo’s business model, the economics of on-site power generation, and the transformative potential of fast, factory-built nuclear power for the data center industry.

Timestamped Overview
00:00 Intro & Matt’s Background
03:55 From software to nuclear impact
07:16 Engineering Leader in Nuclear Innovation
11:16 Nuclear Power The Future Answer
16:28 Revolutionizing SMRs Lessons from SpaceX
17:19 Vertical integration to solve delays
21:15 Smaller plants over gigawatt nuclear
24:50 Configurable real-time power solutions
28:50 Pipeline vs power grid infrastructure
31:37 Energy challenges in industry operations
35:27 Nuclear the big picture solution
39:56 Optimal small nuclear innovation
40:35 Aalo’s customer-focused design approach

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 Overview
00:00 Sustainable Design and Global Impact
06:20 Solo hike in Austria
09:48 Capturing Energy from Lightning
10:49 Fortuitous Career Transition Story
13:52 Collaborative Leadership in Decarbonization
17:55 Strategic Alliances for Clean Energy
21:50 Powering Digital Interactions at Scale
23:55 Energy challenges and perceptions
29:10 Industry Leaders Drive Climate Action
32:07 Building a Greener Future Together
33:48 Equipment and Environmental Collaboration
38:03 Responsible Digital Infrastructure Insights