Cooling Data Center Podcast

Robert Ussher
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Explore the dynamic world of AI and cooling systems with host Robert Ussher from Hanley Automation. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, policymaker, or simply curious, this podcast is your gateway to understanding the pivotal role of cooling technologies in the AI revolution. Join us for insightful interviews, cutting-edge discussions, and actionable strategies that shed light on the future of AI in DC and beyond. From industry experts to innovative solutions, each episode delivers valuable insights to keep you informed and inspired. Subscribe now to stay ahead of the curve and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI and cooling in DC.

  1. JAN 28

    Jake Roberts, CCO, Excool: Raised Temperatures, Reduced PUE & the Efficiency Gains Hiding in Plain Sight

    What if the biggest barrier to liquid cooling efficiency isn't the technology itself, but the legacy thinking that's keeping temperatures unnecessarily low? In this episode, Jake Roberts of Excool joins Robert for a refreshingly honest conversation about what it really takes to deliver cooling solutions across global markets, and why the data centre industry's conservative approach might be leaving serious efficiency gains on the table. From retrofitting existing facilities without ripping out infrastructure to challenging assumptions about water use in cooling, Jake brings practical engineering insight to an industry still debating whether to raise chip temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius. Together, they explore: ·       Why retrofitting for liquid cooling doesn't have to mean reinventing the wheel or running chilled water everywhere ·       The real efficiency cost of running entire chiller plants at 18 degrees just to handle 20-30% of airside load ·       How indirect cooling units can decouple airside and liquid cooling temperatures for better PUE ·       Why NVIDIA's push toward 45 degree facility water loops could eliminate the need for water chillers entirely ·       The nuanced truth about water use: why a little adiabatic cooling on peak days beats moving the problem to power stations ·       How West Midlands manufacturing heritage enables rapid, bespoke delivery to global markets ·       What speed to market really means when customers need solutions in expedited timelines If you've ever wondered whether your cooling design philosophy is leaving stranded power on the table, or wanted someone to explain retrofit options without assuming you're starting from scratch, Jake delivers straight talk with engineering credibility. His insight? Pushing temperatures up has such a positive effect on the industry, from sustainability through to cost efficiency, and the ROI on reduced peak PUE is immediate.

    49 min

  2. 12/10/2025

    Cassandra Zentner, actnano: Automotive-Grade Protection – The Missing Piece in Direct Liquid Cooling

    What if the biggest barrier to liquid cooling adoption isn't the technology - it's just protecting against what happens when things go wrong? In this episode, Cassandra Zentner of Actnano joins Robert for a refreshingly practical conversation that strips away the idealism and gets to the heart of why protection matters just as much as prevention - and why automotive-grade coating technology is already more relevant than most people realise. From her decade protecting Tesla and Rivian autonomous driving systems to bringing 15-20 year warranty-grade protection to data centers, Cassandra brings grounded realism to an industry still assuming leaks and condensation can be completely prevented. Together, they explore: ·       Why protection is the missing piece in the prevent-detect-protect trilogy ·       The reality behind leak assumptions - catastrophic failures AND slow PG25 coolant buildup both damage expensive chips ·       Why coating technology (not just tighter controls) enables operational flexibility ·       How Actnano's collaboration across chip makers, hyperscalers, and ODMs creates supply chain-wide protection ·       Why condensation concerns and narrow HVAC windows mean data centers are over-engineered for prevention ·       The insurance policy mindset - protecting hundred-thousand-pound investments when infrastructure inevitably fails If you've ever wondered whether direct liquid cooling protection is essential or wanted someone to explain it without assuming perfect conditions, Cassandra delivers the straight talk with automotive credibility. Her insight? "The data center is the easy environment" - because if it protects against salt, frost, and corrosive gases in EVs, your server boards are already covered.

    44 min

  3. 11/05/2025

    Allison Boen, Alcatex & OCP: Breaking Down Barriers- The Human Side of Single-Phase Immersion Cooling

    What if the biggest barrier to immersion cooling isn't technical - it's just understanding what it actually is? In this episode, Allison Boen of Alcatex and the Open Compute Project joins Robert for a warmly authentic conversation that strips away the jargon and gets to the heart of why single-phase immersion cooling matters - and why it's already more deployed than most people realise. From her 30-year journey as a self-described "CRAC dealer" (computer room air conditioner specialist) to becoming Shell's Brand Ambassador and OCP's immersion community champion, Allison brings infectious enthusiasm to a technology she discovered in 2014 and hasn't stopped evangelising since. Together, they explore: Why Intel's recent warranty certification with Shell and Supermicro changes everything The reality behind deployment numbers - Shell's Houston facility runs half its 7MW workload on just 2MW of immersion Why hybrid data centres (not rip-and-replace) are the practical path forward How OCP's collaboration breaks down ego barriers and creates agnostic TCO tools anyone can use Why protest signs in tiny Irish villages and Mission Impossible films mean data centres have officially gone mainstream If you've ever wondered whether immersion cooling is still just "proof of concept" or wanted someone to explain it without the sales pitch, Allison delivers the straight talk with genuine passion. Her advice? "Don't spill it" - because if you need floor drains, you've engineered it wrong.

    49 min

  4. 10/02/2025

    Dave Wolfenden, Heat Load: From Wang Computers to 120MW - Three Decades of Data Centre Testing Evolution

    What happens when you've been testing data centres since before "data centre" was even a term? In this episode, Dave Wolfenden of Heat Load joins Robert to trace an extraordinary journey from COBOL programming at Heathrow Airport to becoming one of the UK's pioneering data centre commissioning specialists. Starting with Argos heaters and 500kW of rack-mounted units delivered in transit vans, Heat Load has evolved to deploy up to 120MW of testing equipment across 10 articulated lorries. Dave shares candid insights from over three decades in the industry - from the early days of chaotic rack layouts and liquid CO2 cooling experiments to today's hyperscale pressure cooker where data halls are worth £1M per megawatt per day in lost revenue. Together, they explore: How testing has evolved from basic USB sensors to real-time 3D modelling with wireless monitoring The logistics nightmare of juggling equipment across Europe while customers demand instant deployment Why immersion cooling adoption is slower than expected (and why Heat Load is ready anyway) The shift from owner-operators to hyperscalers - and what that means for the industry If you want to understand how data centre commissioning really works - from the sharp end of delivery deadlines to the evolution of an entire industry - this conversation delivers the unvarnished truth from someone who's been there since day one.

    40 min

  5. 08/28/2025

    Maarten Trautmann, Oleon: Plant-Based Fluids, Energy Reuse & the Liquid Cooling Opportunity Europe's Missing

    What if we could decarbonise IT… by rethinking the liquid? In this episode, Maarten Trautmann of Oleon joins Robert to unpack why plant-based dielectric fluids aren't just a greener alternative - they may be the key to unlocking waterless, sustainable cooling at the edge, at scale, and across Europe. From his early fascination with Ireland to leading Oleon's charge into liquid cooling, Maarten shares how Oleon's biodegradable, non-toxic fluids are offering a credible path to closed-loop cooling, heat reuse, and decarbonisation - without compromising performance. Together, they dive into: The surprising history of Oleon (yes, it started with candles) Why Europe is missing the mark on incentivising heat reuse How immersion cooling adoption is being throttled by warranty fears and retrofitting costs Why innovation in cooling is still in full swing - and where consolidation might come next If you're interested in liquid cooling beyond just AI hype, this one's for you. 🔗 Connect with Maarten: linkedin.com/in/maarten-trautmann-2997a71a 🔗 Connect with Robert: linkedin.com/in/robertussher

    52 min

  6. 06/19/2025

    Dr. Richard Bonner, CTO at Accelsius: The Two-Phase Cooling Revolution for AI-Driven Data Centers

    Two-phase cooling isn't new - but it's never been more needed. In this episode, Dr. Richard Bonner of Accelsius joins Robert to unpack how a decades-old thermal principle, once used in industrial processes, is being reimagined to meet the explosive demands of AI and high-power GPUs. They explore Accelsius' patented two-phase cold plate technology - originally developed at Bell Labs - and how it's being commercialised to deliver unmatched reliability, redundancy, and sustainability. From N+1 pump systems to the role of two-phase in future data center architectures, this episode covers everything from thermal physics to practical deployment strategies. If you're curious about the roadmap to next-gen cooling, the reality behind liquid vs. immersion, or what's actually going to enable the Rubin generation of chips… this episode is for you. Connect with Robert: www.linkedin.com/in/robertussher Connect with Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbonnerphd/

    37 min

  7. 05/14/2025

    Craig MacFadyen Returns: Inside OCP, Innovation Theatre, and What's Really Coming Next for Cooling

    Craig MacFadyen is back on the podcast - this time fresh from the floor of the OCP Global Summit in Dublin. In this episode, Craig and Robert dig into the real conversations happening around liquid cooling, hyperscaler expectations, and whether the data center world is preparing for a future that hasn't quite arrived yet. From CDUs and 500kW rack forecasts to the tension between innovation and affordability, they tackle the practical, the political, and the philosophical challenges facing data center cooling in 2025. Craig also shares his perspective on startup tech, smarter not newer design, and why collaboration still feels more talked about than practiced. It's an honest, thought-provoking follow-up to Craig's first appearance - don't miss it. 🎧 Topics include: Key takeaways from OCP 2025 The rise of rack density and the "500kW by 2030" challenge How hyperscalers are influencing the market—and when adoption will really happen The innovation bottleneck caused by NDAs and over-regulation What smart design actually looks like in cooling The role of power availability and why cloud still dominates over AI Connect with Robert: www.linkedin.com/in/robertussher Connect with Craig: www.linkedin.com/in/craig-macfadyen-5b4b811a

    43 min

  8. 03/12/2025

    Ryan Scott, CTO at DNA Behavior: AI, Behavioural Data, and the Future of Decentralised Intelligence

    Is AI truly revolutionising the way we understand clients and employees? Or is it just another buzzword being tossed around? In this episode, Ryan Scott, Chief Technology Officer at DNA Behavior, joins me to break down the real-world impact of AI in behavioural data analytics. We dive into how DNA Behavior is leveraging AI to predict client behaviour with 70% accuracy - without even requiring a questionnaire. Ryan and I explore the shift towards decentralised AI, the challenges of integrating AI-driven insights into enterprise workflows, and the ethical dilemmas of AI-powered sales intelligence. As data centres race to support the growing compute demand for AI, will AI factories dominate, or will the future lie in edge computing? And with AI accelerating at an unprecedented pace, what safeguards are needed to ensure responsible development? From Microsoft's AI-driven infrastructure expansion to the challenges of balancing transparency with competitive advantage, this episode unpacks the key questions shaping AI's future. Tune in for an insightful discussion on AI, ethics, and where the industry is heading next.   🔗 Connect with Robert: www.linkedin.com/in/robertussher 🔗 Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanwadescott/

    50 min
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About

Explore the dynamic world of AI and cooling systems with host Robert Ussher from Hanley Automation. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, policymaker, or simply curious, this podcast is your gateway to understanding the pivotal role of cooling technologies in the AI revolution. Join us for insightful interviews, cutting-edge discussions, and actionable strategies that shed light on the future of AI in DC and beyond. From industry experts to innovative solutions, each episode delivers valuable insights to keep you informed and inspired. Subscribe now to stay ahead of the curve and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI and cooling in DC.

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