How Energy Became 'Existential' to Data Centers

Digital infrastructure has a voracious appetite for energy, but the electric utility industry is filled with apprehension and lacks 'muscle memory' to 'build big things,' according to Brian Janous, co-founder of sustainable energy specialist Cloverleaf Infrastructure, as well as the former head of data center energy for Microsoft. In a wide-ranging interview with Cool Vector, Janous describes how his mandate at Microsoft went from relative obscurity to a top-order concern among the company's leadership. He discusses how data center sites are identified, evaluated and the importance of finding a willing counter-party in the local utility. Janous also discusses the importance of community engagement, the risks of project delays and regulatory lags, the dominace of solar as a form of renewable energy for data centers, and the criticality of long-term power purchase agreements. About Cool Vector Cool Vector is a video-podcast created to chart the rise of data centers and the digital infrastructure asset class. On a regular basis, the podcast convenes expert conversations about the investment opportunities and macro themes driving the build-out of digital infrastructure, including private capital dynamics, performance expectations, energy demand, geopolitical influences, sustainability opportunities, development and construction, technology and community impact. Cool Vector is hosted by financial journalist David Snow, a long-time chronicler of the alternative investment market. Watch Full Episodes of Cool Vector on YouTube and Spotify.