# Frontier Forum: Future-proofing data center power infrastructure

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2025-04-07
- Length: 28m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-07-frontier-forum-future-proofing-data-center-power-infrastructure

## Summary

Adib Nasle and Michael Stadler, co-founders of Xendee, discuss how microgrids can help data centers bridge the power gap caused by long grid upgrade timelines. They explain that a stepped approach combining combined heat and power (CHP) with batteries and renewables can reduce electricity costs by up to 80% in California and 60% in Virginia. The conversation highlights Xendee's software platform for designing these systems and the importance of adaptability for future technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs). They argue that microgrids offer scalability and resilience that centralized grid upgrades cannot match for mission-critical facilities.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-07-frontier-forum-future-proofing-data-center-power-infrastructure#t=0) Introduction: Adib Nasle and Michael Stadler on Data Center Power Challenges
- [3:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-07-frontier-forum-future-proofing-data-center-power-infrastructure#t=187) Microgrid Configurations: CHP, Batteries, and Renewables
- [6:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-07-frontier-forum-future-proofing-data-center-power-infrastructure#t=368) Cost Analysis: California and Virginia Case Studies
- [8:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-07-frontier-forum-future-proofing-data-center-power-infrastructure#t=520) Future-Proofing with Small Modular Reactors and Adaptability
- [14:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-07-frontier-forum-future-proofing-data-center-power-infrastructure#t=897) Scalability and Optimal Data Center Sizing
- [21:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-07-frontier-forum-future-proofing-data-center-power-infrastructure#t=1272) Xendee Software: Automating Microgrid Design and Modeling
- [25:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-07-frontier-forum-future-proofing-data-center-power-infrastructure#t=1546) Recommendations for Tech Leaders and Utility Relations

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Xendee (company)
- Latitude Media (company)
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (company)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (company)
- combined heat and power (other)
- small modular reactors (other)
- lithium ion batteries (other)
- solar PV (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Powering EVs: Microgrids & DC Charging Solutions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2025-08-19-powering-evs-microgrids-dc-charging-solutions) (Moore's Lobby)
- [213: Electricity Doesn't Act Like an Apple](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-31-213-electricity-doesnt-act-like-an-apple) (Embedded.fm)
- [Aligning Passion With Purpose: A Journey to Electrification and Sustainability](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2025-06-17-aligning-passion-with-purpose-a-journey-to-electrification-and-sustainability) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Powering the AI Era Sustainably: Breakthrough Climate Hardware Tech from 8 Innovators](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-12-04-powering-the-ai-era-sustainably-breakthrough-climate-hardware-tech-from-8-innova) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Smart Grid](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2018-09-21-smart-grid) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-07-frontier-forum-future-proofing-data-center-power-infrastructure. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Catalyst.