Show overview
Data Center Richness launched in 2025 and has put out 31 episodes in the time since. That works out to roughly 20 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 31 min and 44 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Technology show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 days ago, with 10 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Rich Miller.
From the publisher
Data Center Richness brings you expert insights on the world of data centers, cloud computing and AI infrastructure. Join respected industry expert Rich Miller for conversations that will help you understand the fast-moving world of digital infrastructure, and what it means to you. Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been tracking the data center industry for more than 25 years, explaining how data centers are central to the Internet, the AI revolution, and the energy transition. Rich founded and led two of the sector's leading publications (Data Center Frontier and Data Center Knowledge), and his insights have been featured in major media including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Wired, and The New York Times. We bring you interviews with the top thought leaders and innovators building the digital economy. These conversations are particularly relevant for data center professionals and those in the energy industry, exploring the road ahead for AI infrastructure.
Latest Episodes
View all 31 episodesSolid-State Transformers: The Bridge to 800 VDC?
Using AI to Unlock More Power for Data Centers
The State of the Data Center 2026
The Solar Startup Aiming to Transform Data Centers
Let's talk about solar-powered data centers. A lot of the recent discussion of data center power has focused on strategies supported by natural gas, or perhaps small modular nuclear reactors. But what about renewable energy? Today my guest is Nic Bustamante, who has held data center leadership positions at several hyperscale players. Nic is the Chief Data Center Officer at Exowatt, a renewable energy company with an innovative approach to delivering clean power around the clock for data center campuses. It combines several existing technologies - thermal solar, Fresnel concentrating lenses, and the Stirling engine - to create a module that provides solar power and energy storage without lithium batteries. We talk about the current state of data center energy, Exowatt's thermal solar technology, and the opportunity for solar in the AI boom. Here's an overview of our conversation: 00:00 - The Solar Opportunity for AI Data Centers 01:20 - Nic Bustamante and his Data Center Journey 03:15 - A Box of Hot Rocks: What's Different About Exowatt? 09:30 - How Much Land Does Solar Need (at AI Scale) 18:00 - The Geography of Solar Data Centers 25:00 - Community Relations and Solar 32:00 - How Inference Could Shape Solar Deployments ------------------------------------------------------------------------ At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Exowatt https://www.exowatt.com/ ExoRise Powered Land https://www.exowatt.com/exorise Nic Bustamante on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nbustamante/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Why AI Data Centers Are Building Their Own Power https://youtu.be/Yx7QGNQsJaQ?si=5KI-IgaaZU7GAtwL Decoding Data Center Power (Dan Crosby) https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU?si=OP8wPhevaZnyY8xL Why Data Centers Are Turning to Bloom Energy https://youtu.be/Z-udNWq2bAg?si=E1a0OPEgdM9Dz_jT All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
What's Next for Onsite Energy and Data Center Power
One of the biggest growth stories of 2026 is the rise of on-site powers for data centers. The AI boom is driving huge growth in demand for electricity to support AI factories, as well as traditional cloud workloads. But many major markets have limited availability of utility power, as electric grids are struggling to keep pace with the growth of digital infrastructure. Today on Data Center Richness, we are talking on-site power for data centers. Our guest is Scott Yappen, a business development specialist with Wartsila, a Finnish company that has been a major player in the global power market. Over the past year, Wartsila has signed several deals to provide generation capacity for U.S. utilities and and developers to support data center growth. Our topics include the growth of data demand, options for onsite power, the supply of engines, and the key role of energy storage in future data center campuses. Here's an overview: 00:00 - Onsite Power, and Why it Matters 1:00 - Meet Scott Yappen of Wartsila. 5:00 - About Wartsila and Its Energy Offerings 8:00 - The Power Squeeze and the Rise of Onsite Generation 11:30 - Supply, Demand and Equipment Timelines 18:30 - Criteria for Onsite Power Development 21:00 - Bridging Power Vs Permanent Power 27:00 - The Road Ahead ------------------------------------------------------------------------ At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Wartsila Data Center Power Solutions https://www.wartsila.com/energy/engine-power-plant-solutions/flexible-baseload-power-plants/data-center-power-solutions Wartsila Chosen for Major U.S. Data Center Project https://www.wartsila.com/media/news/29-01-2026-wartsila-chosen-for-a-major-u-s-power-plant-project-addressing-critical-energy-demand-driven-by-data-center-development-3711601 Scott Yappen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottyappen/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Why AI Data Centers Are Building Their Own Power https://youtu.be/Yx7QGNQsJaQ Why Every Data Center Pro is Talking About Power (Dan Crosby) https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU?si=PyyLwfBINXWtI8oo Why Data Centers Are Turning to Bloom Energy https://youtu.be/Z-udNWq2bAg?si=vHOizsz7AqT5M7eQ All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
Solving the Speed to Power Problem
Solving the Speed to Power Problem Speed to power is the hot topic these days, as data center operators race to deploy new capacity for AI services. Many of the leading players in the AI sector say they are capacity constrained - meaning they can't get new compute fast enough. Meanwhile, many utilities are also constrained, and have limited power availabel for new data center builds. Bridging this power gap is one of the most critical issues for the AI ecosystem. That's our topic today on Data Center Richness, and our guest is Ned Buschelman, the director of engineering at APR Energy. APR has lengthy experience providing g power bridging solutions to major industrial users. Ned shares how power constraints have created an opportunity for APR Energy and other providers of on-site energy solutions, how APR works with data center customers, and the future out look for on-site power. Here's an overview of our discussion: 00:00 - Solving Capacity Constraints for AI 02:00 - About Ned Buschelman's Data Center Journey and APR Energy 04:30 - The Data Center Opportunity for Power Providers 07:20 - The Geography of Onsite Power for Data Centers 09:00 - What Customers Need to Know When Considering Onsite Power 10:45 - Bridging Power or Long-Term Generation? 13:15 - Timelines for Turbines and Engine Equipment 17:00 - The Road Ahead for Onsite Power ------------------------------------------------------------------------ At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW APR Energy https://www.aprenergy.com/ APR Energy Expands Power Generation Capacity to 1.1 GW https://www.aprenergy.com/apr-energy-expands-power-generation-capacity-to-over-1-1-gw-as-data-center-power-demand-soars/ Ned Buschelman on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nbuschelman/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Why AI Data Centers Are Building Their Own Power https://youtu.be/Yx7QGNQsJaQ Why Every Data Center Pro is Talking About Power (Dan Crosby) https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU?si=PyyLwfBINXWtI8oo Why Data Centers Are Turning to Bloom Energy https://youtu.be/Z-udNWq2bAg?si=vHOizsz7AqT5M7eQ All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
The State of Enterprise Data Centers in 2026
There's been a big focus on hyperscale facilities for generative AI. Where does the enterprise customer fit in the current data center landscape? One of the providers focused on the enterprise market is Flexential, a company with a history providing network-focused colocation and wholesale space in second-tier markets. Flexential CEO Ryan Mallory joins us today on Data Center Richness to share his take on the state of the enterprise data center market, how enterprises are adopting AI, and the road ahead for Flexential. Here's an overview of our conversation: 00:00 - The Enterprise AI Data Center Landscape 01:30 - Ryan Mallory's Data Center Journey 02:52 - About Flexential: Services, Infrastructure and Who it Helps 05:55 - The Evolution of Design in the Era of AI 10:20 - Balancing Wholesale and Multi-Tenant Requirements 12:00 - The Cloudy Context for Enterprise AI 15:00 - Where AI is Gaining Traction in the Enterprise 18:00 - AI and the Enterprise Network 21:30 - Data Center Geography and the Road Ahead 26:00 - Where Will Inference Live? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterrichness.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Flexential https://www.flexential.com/ Flexential Lines up $800 Million toDrive Growth https://www.flexential.com/resources/press-release/flexential-completes-800-million-asset-backed-securities-offering Ryan Mallory on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mallory-3483504/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Why Data Centers Are Moving to Power-Rich Locations https://youtu.be/AlIwlsiLa5M Data Center Innovation in the Age of AI https://youtu.be/P_0U0SLFJc8?si=Khxv-My10V0V3slU How Will Data Centers Be Different in 2030 https://youtu.be/IUO8fUWNoX8?si=FmoHM5EuAjOAlnpn All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
Data Centers and Energy: Bridging the Knowledge Gap
The AI boom is creating a massive business opportunity at the intersection of the data center and energy sectors. But these are both complex industries with lots of specialized knowledge. How can these two crucial industries work together effectively to build the future? We explore this questions today with the help of Arushi Sharma Frank, who is an expert in energy market economics, regulation, and technology. Her work spans the intersection of policy, markets, and infrastructure, shaping how complex energy systems evolve under structural change. With industry background at Constellation Energy and Tesla, she is now a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Arushi has been a fantastic source of information about power and policy, the energy markets, and the workings of utilities and power grids. I first encountered her work on energy podcasts, and asked her to share her insights with my audience here at Data Center Richness. Our conversations looks at the AI power crunch, why solving it is so challenging, and how better communications can help. And Arushi shares her insights on recent efforts to address power constraints on the PJM and ERCOT grids. We cover a lot of ground, and share lots of insights and educational resources along the way. Here's an overview of our conversation: 00:00 - The AI Boom Energizes Two Key Sectors 02:30 - Arushi Sharma Frank's career journey and current work in the energy sector. 08:45 - How the AI Boom Has Disrupted Energy 13:15 - Flexibility: What it Means for Energy and Data Centers 22:00 - Educating the Energy Sector About Data Centers 24:00 - Hyperscale Secrecy as a Barrier to Progress 30:30 - How Policy and Regulation are Positioned to Help 35:40 - The PJM Dilemma: The White House Gets Involved 50:20 - How Batteries Can Aid Data Centers (and the Grid) 55:00 - The Road Ahead: Opportunities for Change --------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterrichness.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Arushi Sharma Frank on Substack https://arushisharmafrank.substack.com/ Arushi Sharma Frank at CSIS https://www.csis.org/people/arushi-sharma-frank Upcoming "Ted Talk" on ERCOT https://arushisharmafrank.substack.com/p/grid-positive-people-positive-where ERCOT PGRR 134 Issue https://www.ercot.com/mktrules/issues/PGRR134#keydocs Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Data Centers, AI and the Future of Power https://youtu.be/EYo2YK7L5q0?si=x60ed4yWu46gt3fV Why Every Data Center Pro is Talking About Power https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU Flexibility: The Key to Unlocking Data Center Power https://youtu.be/D6-1QxRRxoA?si=OUgglh2wSJ0abOhF All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
Data Centers in Space: Talking Tech With Space Pioneer Chris Stott
Why the Future of Data Might Be Off Earth Data centers in space are a hot topic. Hyperscale data center builders like Google and Crusoe are planning space-based facilities, and tech veterans like Eric Schmidt, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk also have ambitions for deploying data centers in space. All these headlines have folks wondering - are data centers in space a pipe dream, or the next phase in digital infrastructure? To find out, I sought out someone who has actually deployed data storage on the moon. Chris Stott is the executive chairman of Lonestar Data Holdings, whose mission is to provide data storage in outer space, including on the surface of the moon. On today's show, Chris shares about Lonestar's missions to the moon, what's involved in deploying IT infrastructure in space, how data sovereignty works above the earth, and the future growth prospects for data centers in outer space. This was a really fun conversation, which I think you'll enjoy. 00:00 - Data Centers in Space - The Final Frontier? 01:30 - Meet Chris Stott of Lonestar Data. Chris shares about his career in the space industry. 03:00 - Why Lonestar Data Holdings was founded, and details on its lunar missions 05:25 - Why the Moon for Data Storage? 10:20 - How Operating in Space is Different - Cooling, Radiation and more 16:20 - Data Sovereignty in Space (and how it differs from Terrestrial Data Storage) 19:00 - Why are There so Many Space Data Center Initiatives? 23:45 - Free Power? A Closer Look at Solar Arrays in Space 26:40 - The Road Ahead: Lonestar Data's Roadmap for Data Storage in Space ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterrichness.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Lonestar Data Holdings https://www.lonestarlunar.com/ Lonestar on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lonestar-data-holdings/ Lonestar Data Makes it to the Moon https://www.datacenterfrontier.com/edge-computing/article/33037610/lonestar-data-makes-it-to-the-moon-on-im-1-lunar-lander Chris Stott on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-stott-aa0820/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Data Center Innovation in the Age of AI https://youtu.be/P_0U0SLFJc8?si=Khxv-My10V0V3slU Why Every Data Center Pro is Talking About Power Now https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU?si=KqZsV0pkwb_aywdq All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
Beyond Hydrogen: ECL Hosts NVIDIA's Most Advanced Racks
The data center landscape is changing fast, as AI drives innovation in both energy and cooling. In a industry dominated by big companies and big requirements, it's a tricky time for data center startups. Yuval Bachar is the founder of ECL, a startup that set out to pioneer hydrogen-powered data centers. With the arrival of ChatGPT and the AI data center boom, ECL has changed along with the industry. Today on the Data Center Richness podcast, Yuval is here to share how ECL has moved to the cutting-edge of AI, deploying the very latest NVIDIA high-density racks in a hydrogen-powered, liquid-cooled data center. It's a story that reinforces the importance of an engineering mindset, and always being ready to innovate. Let's get started …. CHAPTERS GO HERE 00:00 - How data center startups navigate in an era of big, fast change 01:45 - Meet Yuval Bachar and learn about his "Data Center Journey" 09:30 - Managing Hydrogen-Powered Liquid-Cooled NVIDIA Racks 15:35 - Building Out the Executive Team at ECL 18:00 - Growth Opportunities in Texas with Natural Gas and Hydrogen 22:00 - The Shape of Inference and the Role of Data Centers 28:15 - The Evolution of Modular Data Center Design 31:40 - Cooling: How Dense Can We Go? 36:25 - The Road Ahead ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterrichness.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW ECL Web Site https://ecldc.com/ Yuval Bachar on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuvalbachar/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: How Factory-Built Designs Speed AI Deployments https://youtu.be/hZ6vuoDJ8Nc?si=qIhnFjV_CvhSDqst Data Center Innovation in the Age of AI https://youtu.be/P_0U0SLFJc8?si=Khxv-My10V0V3slU Why Every Data Center Pro is Talking About Power Now https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU?si=KqZsV0pkwb_aywdq All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
How AI is Reshaping Data Center Design
AI is changing the way we design and build data centers. Meanwhile, cloud computing and enterprise companies continue to need lots of IT capacity. This creates a challenge for the teams that design data centers, who must navigate rapid change amid tensions between workloads and technologies. AI or cloud? Air-cooled or liquid-cooled? This is Sara Martin's world. Sara is an Associate Principal at HED, an integrated design end engineering firm that works with many data center clients. On today's podcast Sara provides an inside look at how the rise of AI is creating new challenges, and how leading data centers are using design to build for the future in a period of big fast change. Here's an overview of the conversation with Data Center Richness host Rich Miller and Sara Martin of HED: 00:00 - Why AI Challenges the Status Quo in Design 01:15 - Sara Martin shares her Data Center Journey, and what HED does. 05:10 - The AI Transition and Modular Designs 10:00 - Hybrid Cooling in Multi-Tenant Data Centers 14:45 - The Pace of Change as a Design Challenge 21:20 - Data Center Water Usage and Community Pushback 27:00 - Trends in Closed-Loop vs. Evaporative Cooling 32:30 - The Future Path of Power and Cooling 39:00 - Supply Chains and Why Modular Matters At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterrichness.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW HED's Data Center Portfolio https://hed.co/stories/mission-critical Sara Martin on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-martin-7b61b546/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: How Factory-Built Designs Speed AI Deployments https://youtu.be/hZ6vuoDJ8Nc?si=qIhnFjV_CvhSDqst Data Center Innovation in the Age of AI https://youtu.be/P_0U0SLFJc8?si=Khxv-My10V0V3slU Can Data Centers Be Good Neighbors? https://youtu.be/syRpAj9aCSg?si=4r6IQJEjukwQ67Eu All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
The Equinix 3.0 Vision: Connecting the AI-Powered World
The Internet is a network of networks. And it's the connections between these networks that can transform a local business into a global enterprise. From the early days of the Internet, Equinix has been one of the primary places where these connections happen. Equinix has made nearly half a million interconnections between the 10,000 companies using its 270 data centers around the world, making it a key player in the growth of colocation services and cloud computing. How is Equinix positioned for the AI boom? To find out, we sat down with DD Dasgupta, the Vice President of Product Marketing at Equinix. DD shared his take on the power of ecosystems in the AI economy, the future of inference, and how Equinix is helping enterprise customers chart their way through the AI landscape. Here's an overview of the conference between Data Center Richness host Rich Miller and DD Dasgupta of Equinix. 00:00 - Intro to DD Dasgupta and his Data Center Journey 02:45 - Overview of Equinix and its global data center ecosystem 04:00 - The AI Opportunity for Equinix and "Equinix 3.0" 07:25 - How Enterprise Customers are Using AI 12:55 - The Ecosystem Outlook - Which Verticals Are Using AI Most? 16:15 - The Equinix Take on Where Inference Will Live 20:25 - Solution Validation Labs - Test Before You Deploy At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterrichness.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Equinix https://www.equinix.com/ Distributed AI at Equinix https://www.equinix.com/solutions/distributed-ai Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Why Data Centers Are Moving to Power-Rich Locations https://youtu.be/AlIwlsiLa5M Data Center Innovation in the Age of AI https://youtu.be/P_0U0SLFJc8?si=Khxv-My10V0V3slU How Will Data Centers Be Different in 2030 https://youtu.be/IUO8fUWNoX8?si=FmoHM5EuAjOAlnpn All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx Thumbnail Image via Equinix
Applied Digital's Big Pivot to AI Data Centers
One of the big data center stories of 2025 is the big shift of capacity from crypto to AI computing. In recent months, companies that got their start in crypto infrastructure have signed deals with the largest players in hyperscale AI, winning contracts worth billions of dollars. One of those is Applied Digital, which has been one of the busiest players in 2025, singing deals for 600 megawatts of capacity on its data center campus in North Dakota. Our guest today is Wes Cummins, the founder and CEO of Applied Digital, who provides an insider's view on the journey from bitcoin to AI, and how Applied Digital made North Dakota a hyperscale data center market. Here's an overview of the discussion between Data Center Richness host Rich Miller and Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins: 00:00 - From Bitcoin to Hyperscale: Wes Cummins' Data Center Journey 02:00 - 2025: A Big Year for Applied Digital 08:15 - 5 Pillars of Data Center Success (Why Capital Matters) 15:25 - Why North Dakota? 20:00 - The Crypto to HPC to AI Transition 23:00 - The Design Differences Between Crypto and AI 31:20 - Flexibility for the Inference-Powered Future 36:45 - The Road Ahead: More Hyperscalers in More Places ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterrichness.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Applied Digital https://www.applieddigital.com/ 200 MW Hyperscale Lease Announcement https://ir.applieddigital.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/132/applied-digital-announces-5-billion-ai-factory-lease-with Wes Cummins on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-cummins-63114481/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Why Data Centers Are Moving to Power-Rich Locations https://youtu.be/AlIwlsiLa5M Why Every Data Center Pro is Talking About Power https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU A Closer Look at Two-Phase Liquid Cooling https://youtu.be/w_Us94JgYzc All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
On-Site Generation and the Future of AI Power
There's been Gigawatts of on-site power procured for data centers this year. And there's likely much more to come as the rise of AI boosts demand for data center capacity. Today on Data Center Richness our topic is on-site power and the new energy landscape. Our guest is KC Mares of Megawatt Consulting, who has worked with many of the most consequential companies and projects in the history of the data center industry. At a time when site selection and power availability are evolving rapidly, KC is helping data center operators adapt to this new world, especially in deploying on-site generation. Mares believes on-site power is not just a bridge solution, but a key strategy for the future as data centers diversify their power resources. Today on Data Center Richness, KC shares his insights on the energy landscape, the growth of on-site power, and the road ahead for digital infrastructure. Here's an overview of our conversation: 00:00 - The Rise of On-Site Power at Data Centers 01:02 - About KC Mares and his Data Center Journey 04:00 - The State of Data Center Site Selection 08:50 - How AI Has Changed The Equation 18:12 - Turbine Availability & Scaling On-Site Power 27:20 - Energy Storage as an Enabler for Solar and Wind 38:50 - Community Relations and Data Centers in the Headlines 45:15 - The Road Ahead: How AI Can Be A Force for A Better Grid ------------------------------------------------------------------------ At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Megawatt Consulting https://megawattconsulting.com/ KC Mares on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kcmares/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Why Every Data Center Pro is Talking About Power (Dan Crosby) https://youtu.be/GJiBqvUl5rU?si=PyyLwfBINXWtI8oo Unlocking Power for AI Growth (Tyler Norris) https://youtu.be/D6-1QxRRxoA?si=VHUbBdImjKbqAs4g Why Data Centers Are Turning to Bloom Energy https://youtu.be/Z-udNWq2bAg?si=vHOizsz7AqT5M7eQ Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
An Inside Look at the Data Center Development Journey
Data centers are economic engines of the new economy. Every data center starts as an idea, with a location attached. It takes a lot of funding, planning and execution to create these complex facilities. Today on Data Center Richness, we share a behind-the-scenes look at how investors and developers work together to bring a data center project from concept to reality. Our guests are Sabey Data Centers President Tim Mirick and Jeff Kanne, the President and CEO of National Real Estate Advisors. The two companies have been working together since 2010, with National Real Estate providing the capital to enable Sabey its footprint across the US. It's a fascinating conversation that provides a glimpse into how these relationships work, and how investment strategy and company culture translate into new to support data center customers. And how those models adapt to the super-sized development environment of 2025 and beyond. Here's an overview of the discussion, hosted by Rich Miller of Data Center Richness. 00:00 - Intro: Why Capital Matters in Data Center Development 01:30 - Tim Mirick's Data Center Journey, and the Sabey Data Centers story. 05:00 - Meet Jeff Kanne, and National Real Estate Advisors 08:15 - The Investor Perspective: How NREA Evaluates Development Opportunities 11:20 - The Operator Perspective: How Sabey Approaches Project Development 14:45 - Sabey's Growth Story - Expanding Beyond the Pacific Northwest 22:50 - The Next Phase: Why Austin? 26:25 - The Current AI Boom: Assessing Risk and Opportunity 31:50 - Developing Strategy in a Complex Market 36:00 - Customer Models - Enterprise vs. Hyperscale vs Neoclouds 39:45 - The Road Ahead: How Sabey and NREA See the Future ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Sabey Data Centers https://sabeydatacenters.com/ National Real Estate Advisors https://natadvisors.com/ Sabey Expands Power Availability Across Key Campuses https://sabeydatacenters.com/news/sabey-expands-power-availability-across-key-campuses Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: What's Next in Data Center Investing? https://youtu.be/XITavRKbXF4?si=eDV53Vj3a0bj9AmM What's Next for Data Center Real Estate? https://youtu.be/H2FFJfm5wug?si=ITkZ2ILcyrqyXjn6 All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
What Data Center Innovation Looks Like in the Age of AI
What Data Center Innovation Looks Like in the Age of AI Data center development is moving fast, and so is the computing technology that lives inside them. The AI boom is accelerating just about everything, placing a premium on innovation. So what does data center innovation look like in 2025 and beyond? To explore this question, we turned to Phill Lawson-Shanks, the Chief Innovation Officer at Aligned Data Centers. Phill has been involved in transformative work in the sector for years, from the edge of the network to the center of the data hall. On today's show, Phill shares how modular designs are helping Aligned keep pace with new technology and new hardware, adapting to changes in power and cooling infrastructure, and all the while staying keenly focused on sustainability. 00:00 - Intro and Phill's "Data Center Journey" 04:16 - What innovation looks like in the age of AI 08:45 - The importance of modularity in an evolving design environment 14:20 - Managing infrastructure through the cloud to AI transition 19:45 - Extending innovation to site selection and the power landscape 24:30 - Prioritizing sustainabilty in a rapidly-evolving energy industry 27:30 - Future-proofing cooling infrastructure 31:30 - The Next 5 Years - How Phill sees it ----------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Aligned Data Centers https://aligneddc.com/ Phil Lawson-Shanks on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/plawsonshanks/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: How Aligned is Tackling the Data Center Density Challenge https://youtu.be/_zeLScBMDxk?si=k6t3xZIJKfWbBdjl A Closer Look at Two-Phase Liquid Cooling https://youtu.be/w_Us94JgYzc How Will Data Centers Be Different in 2030 https://youtu.be/IUO8fUWNoX8?si=QjhHEBlvx3fMR0Z All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
Decoding Data Center Power with Dan Crosby
Energy is the lifeblood of every data center. As the AI boom has gained velocity, the focus on energy has intensified as power demand has effectively maxed out existing grid capacity in major data center markets. Understanding the finer points of power has never been more important. Dan Crosby has helped explain the complexities of the energy market for the data center sector. Dan is the founder and CEO of Legend Energy Advisors, where he and his team helped deploy clients deploy multiple gigawatts of data center projects in 2024. On this edition of the Data Center Richness. Dan shared his take on how long the current power constraints might last, the growing profile of natural gas for powering large loads, and the opportunities and challenges in deploying onsite power at data centers. 00:00 - Why energy matters right now. 01:32 - Dan Crosby's "Data Center Journey" and background 04:00 - How Legend Energy Advisors works with data center clients. 06:20 - How long will key data center markets remain power-constrained. 10:50 - Onsite power for data centers - the opportunities and challenges. 15:45 - Designing loads and grids - how to manage dynamic power. 18:12 - What are the best strategies to collaborate with utilities? 21:11 - Load flexibility, and how to make it work. 25:15 - The rising profile of natural gas, and the role of renewable energy. 32:50 - Data centers as anchor customers for next-generation nuclear. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW Legend Energy Advisors https://legendenergyadvisors.com/ Dan Crosby on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-crosby-a58a3212/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Data Centers, AI and the Future of Power (Elisa Wood) https://youtu.be/EYo2YK7L5q0?si=ewmU1WMbkHU2lnSh Unlocking Power for AI Growth (Tyler Norris) https://youtu.be/D6-1QxRRxoA?si=VHUbBdImjKbqAs4g Why Data Centers Are Turning to Bloom Energy https://youtu.be/Z-udNWq2bAg?si=vHOizsz7AqT5M7eQ All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental thumbnail art by Storyblocks Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
What Every Local Official Should Know About Data Centers
When a data center project comes to town, a question often asked by residents and local officials is "what's in it for us?" What if there was a guide that could help local officials understand the upside of how digital services can transform their work and their community? Today we continue our series on data centers and community controversies. Our guest is Ilissa Miller, the CEO of iMiller Public Relations, who has deep experience communicating the benefits of digital infrastructure. Iliisa has also held local office in her community, a role that informs her current work with the OIX Digital Infrastructure Framework, which provides guidance for community planners and economic development officials. The goal is to empower community leaders to understand the infrastructure they have, what they need, and how to plan for what's coming. Ilissa has also has insights into the current challenges for data centers in community relations. Here's an overview of the conversation between host RIch Miller and Ilissa Miller of iMiller PR: 00:00 - A Framework for Better Community Conversations 02:20 - From Opera to Digital Infrastructure: Ilissa Miller's Data Center Journey 05:20 - iMiller PR and its Mission and Services 07:40 - The History of Data Centers and Secrecy 13:50 - How to Improve the Media Narrative 17:30 - Introducing the Digital Infrastructure Framework 21:00 - Digital Infrastructure as a Tool for Master Planning 22:00 - Getting the Word Out 24:30 -Helping Communities Understand the Benefits of Digital Services 26:40 - Where to Learn More ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW: The OIX Digital Infrastructure Framework https://www.oix.org/standards-and-certifications/oix-dif-standard/ iMiller Public Relations https://www.imillerpr.com/ Follow Ilissa Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilissamiller/ Follow Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: Data Centers and Community Controversies https://youtu.be/syRpAj9aCSg?si=aYveuysL-DGCfC5O
Data Centers and Community Controversies
We've seen a lot of headlines about data centers lately, especially controversies in communities considering large new data center campuses to support AI. Community resistance to data centers is not new, but has escalated rapidly in recent months, with a number of projects being canceled or delayed amid community outcry, including some that represented billions of dollars in local investment. Adam Waitkunas of Milldam Public Relations publishes a newsletter tracking data center controversies and how local communities are shaping the future of data center growth. Adam and host Rich Miller discuss why we're seeing more of these controversies, some of the key factors in community resistance, and what data centers can do to change the narrative and address some of the concerns about AI development. It's an important topic, and one we need to talk more about. Digital services are a growing part of our entertainment, business and social lives, and that trend will continue. Data centers are the engines of this digital economy. Here's an overview of the conversation: 00:00 - Overview: Community controversies are on the rise. 01:48 - About Adam Waitkunas of Milldam PR and the Zoning In newsletter. 05:45 - How We Got Here: The evolution of community controversies. 10:12 - Community Awareness and Data Center Development 15:00 - Transparency and Why It Matters 19:18 - Best Practices for Communicating With the Community 20:56 - Public Officials on the Hot Seat. 24:40 - Localizing the Community Conversation 27:00 - NDAs and Community Relations 29:15 - A Legacy of Secrecy. Time for a change? 35:00 - How Media Coverage Shapes the Narratives 39:00 - Could the data center industry be doing more? 41:10 - Building Bridges and Expertise ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW: Milldam Public Relations https://milldampr.com/ Follow Adam Waitkunas on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/awaitkunas/ Follow Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: What's Next for Data Center Real Estate? https://youtu.be/H2FFJfm5wug?si=NLKTZmDMDm5bS6Sx Mastering High-Density Cooling https://youtu.be/_zeLScBMDxk?si=432CIwTrRQjgw3_q Why AI Will Be A Paradigm Shift https://youtu.be/u-Lv9MwS7x8?si=TCP_HUMfghSktAP0 All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx
EdgeCore 2.0: Building Big in Power-Rich Locations
Building big campuses in power-rich locations. That's the approach at EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, which is developing data center campuses in six sites across the US, including a $17 billion campus in Louisa County, Virginia. EdgeCore's strategy is guided by CEO Lee Kestler, who has deep experience in both the data center and energy sectors. Kestler has held leadership positions at data center operators Exodus, DuPont Fabros and Vantage Data Centers, as well as stints in the energy industry at NextEra Energy and Oak Ridge Labs. Host Rich Miller talks with Kestler about building AI infrastructure in a power-constrained world, the transition to liquid cooling, and the importance of partnerships with utilities and communities. Here's an overview of our conversation: 00:00 - Intro: Building Data Centers for the Long Term 01:00 - Meet Lee Kestler and EdgeCore 05:20 - EdgeCore 2.0: Bigger Ambitions, Bigger Campuses 08:30 - Navigating the Data Center Power Crunch 10:15 - Going Long on Power in Priority Markets 15:00 - Data Center Design, Liquid Cooling and the AI Transition 18:25 - Why Mesa has Emerged as a Data Center Hub 21:45 - EdgeCore's Strategy in Virginia 27:50 - The Evolution of Ashburn and Data Center Alley 31:30 - The New Geography of Power 37:15 - How Data Centers are Laying the Groundwork for Nuclear SMRs 40:00 - What's Next for EdgeCore? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to Data Center Richness wherever you get your podcasts! Prefer video? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack: https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW: EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure https://edgecore.com/ Follow Lee Kestler on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leekestler/ Follow Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/ RELATED VIDEOS: What's Next for Data Center Investing? https://youtu.be/XITavRKbXF4?si=51FzTTK4LByqQI2a Mastering High-Density Cooling https://youtu.be/_zeLScBMDxk?si=432CIwTrRQjgw3_q How Will Data Centers Be Different in 2030? https://youtu.be/IUO8fUWNoX8?si=QjhHEBlvx3fMR0Z- All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx