Build, Repeat. (A Paces Podcast)

Paces
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Deep discussions with those who are helping us build our way out of climate change. 

  1. Why grid planning is the hardest problem in energy right now

    3D AGO

    Why grid planning is the hardest problem in energy right now

    In this episode, James talks with Derek Stenclik, Founding Partner at Telos Energy. Derek shares his path into the power sector, starting at GE where he spent nearly a decade working on grid planning, resource adequacy, and early studies on integrating wind and solar at scale, before co-founding Telos to tackle some of the grid’s most complex planning challenges. The conversation focuses on how utilities and grid operators are navigating an era of unprecedented uncertainty, driven by rapid load growth, shifting resource mixes, and long planning timelines. Derek shares how Telos approaches these challenges through advanced grid modeling, emphasizing the importance of scenario analysis, proactive planning, and better decision-making in the face of volatile forecasts and evolving market rules. Key topics include: Why grid modeling and scenario analysis are foundational to the energy transitionManaging explosive load growth from data centers and large new loadsThe evolving role of load flexibility, batteries, and behind-the-meter generationAffordability, cost allocation, and the risk of stranded infrastructureA must-listen for anyone thinking about how reliability, affordability, and speed intersect in today’s power system. Reach out to Telos Energy by visiting their website.  Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development. Interested in a call with James, CEO @ Paces?

    33 min
  2. Bridging the power gap: The fuel-flexible future for data centers with Craig Gordon

    JAN 21

    Bridging the power gap: The fuel-flexible future for data centers with Craig Gordon

    In this episode, James talks with Craig Gordon, Head of Global Policy, Regulatory Affairs, and Business Development at Mainspring Energy. Craig brings deep experience in clean energy—from scaling Invenergy’s wind and solar projects to shaping U.S. energy policy with the American Clean Power Association. Today, he’s helping Mainspring redefine dispatchable generation for a rapidly electrifying world. They discuss how Mainspring’s linear generator technology offers a modular, dispatchable solution ideal for the growing energy demands of hyperscale data centers. Craig shares insights on the importance of fuel flexibility, how the Inflation Reduction Act has reshaped deployment dynamics, and the policy shifts enabling faster, cleaner energy integration behind the meter. How Mainspring’s linear generator bridges the gap between renewables and dispatchable generationThe role of fuel-flexibility (natural gas, hydrogen, ammonia) in enabling resilient sitingWhy data center load growth is stressing legacy regulatory frameworksHow recent FERC policy shifts are opening new doors for behind-the-meter innovationA must-listen for developers navigating grid constraints, data center energy needs, and next-gen dispatchable tech. Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development. Interested in a call with James, CEO @ Paces?

    33 min
  3. Fixing the Grid-Data Center Disconnect with Tony Wagler and Alex Oort Alonso

    12/03/2025

    Fixing the Grid-Data Center Disconnect with Tony Wagler and Alex Oort Alonso

    In this episode, James talks with Tony and Alex from the Paces team about their recent white paper exploring the mismatch between data center growth projections and actual grid planning. Tony, a seasoned power developer, and Alex, a researcher focused on data center flexibility, dive into how speculative load growth is driving transmission investments that may never serve real projects. They discuss how Paces analyzed over 14 million Texas land parcels to identify where data centers could feasibly be built, incorporating constraints like power access, zoning, water, and community sentiment. The conversation reveals a fundamental disconnect: the grid is being built for data centers that may never exist, while truly viable sites often lack the needed power capacity. By taking a “land-first” approach, Paces offers a bottom-up, data-driven framework to inform smarter, faster, and more collaborative infrastructure decisions. Why ERCOT (Texas) was the ideal case study for this white paper.The speculative nature of current interconnection requests and its ripple effects.Key site viability criteria: power, topography, ownership, fiber, and water.Why only 17% of viable land near substations in Texas has withdrawal capacity.A must-listen for anyone building in clean energy, this episode offers a practical framework to better align developer needs with grid planning. Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development. Interested in a call with James, CEO @ Paces?

    33 min
  4. From Wall Street to Clean Energy: Investing in the AI-Powered Power Grid with Shanu Mathew

    11/20/2025

    From Wall Street to Clean Energy: Investing in the AI-Powered Power Grid with Shanu Mathew

    In this episode, James talks with Shanu Mathew, Senior Vice President at Lazard, where he co-leads a U.S. sustainable equity strategy. With a background in traditional finance and a passion for climate and sustainability, Shanu blends data-driven investing with macro-level insight into energy and technology transitions. They explore how Shanu’s career evolved from M&A banking to managing portfolios at the intersection of sustainability, power, and AI. The conversation ranges from the transformation of ESG investing, to the macroeconomic impact of AI on energy demand, and how public markets are trying to keep up with private innovation in data infrastructure. Shanu also unpacks what’s real (and what’s hype) in the current AI-capex boom. The evolution of ESG investing into a bottom-up, alpha-first approachWhy AI is driving unprecedented power demand and reshaping energy marketsThe "chip to grid" value chain and where public market opportunities liePhysical bottlenecks like land, power, and permitting—and how they impact AI deploymentIf you want a deeply informed view on how capital markets are adapting to the climate-tech and AI megatrends, this episode is a must-listen. Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development. Interested in a call with James, CEO @ Paces?

    44 min
  5. Building Clean Data Center Infrastructure with Gabe Messercola

    11/04/2025

    Building Clean Data Center Infrastructure with Gabe Messercola

    In this episode, James talks with Gabe Messercola, Director of Data Center Solutions at EDF. Gabe shares his journey from studying environmental policy and working as a rock climbing instructor to building renewable energy projects at Nexamp and leading innovative data center strategies at EDF. With deep experience in asset management and power markets, Gabe now focuses on aligning renewable generation with high-demand loads like data centers and flexible industrial users. They discuss the evolving relationship between renewables, load growth, and AI-driven data center demand. Gabe explains how EDF is solving curtailment and congestion challenges by co-locating load at underutilized wind and solar sites. He highlights EDF's work with Soluna on a 166 MW behind-the-meter data center and dives into the regulatory, technical, and financial structures enabling this model. The conversation also tackles the critical role of market incentives, competitive retail, and grid flexibility to unlock fast deployment and sustainable scale. How co-located data centers are unlocking value from stranded renewable assetsThe ERCOT PUN model and its role in hybrid project designThe tension between AI uptime requirements and grid flexibilityWhy competitive retail markets like Texas are leading clean energy innovationThis episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of data centers, clean energy, and infrastructure innovation. Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development. Interested in a call with James, CEO @ Paces?

    34 min
  6. Master Planning the Energy Future with Nat Sahlstrom

    10/09/2025

    Master Planning the Energy Future with Nat Sahlstrom

    In this episode, James talks with Nat Sahlstrom, Chief Energy Officer at Tract, a data center developer enabling the next generation of digital infrastructure. Nat shares his unconventional journey from Seattle’s punk rock scene to leading energy strategy at Amazon and now Tract. With over two decades in energy, he brings deep insight into the intersection of data center growth, power planning, and sustainable infrastructure. They explore the critical challenges and opportunities facing the energy system in the age of hyperscale AI. Nat discusses his experience building one of the world’s largest corporate renewable portfolios at Amazon and how Tract is addressing the power, land, and social license hurdles confronting data center developers today. He advocates for master-planned campuses as the key to responsible, scalable digital infrastructure and unpacks why the U.S. needs a World War II-level mobilization to meet future load demand. How hyperscaler energy needs are reshaping utility planning and permitting.The shift from back-office energy functions to front-page headlines.Why social license and stakeholder alignment are critical to infrastructure success.The case for horizontal and vertical integration in data center development.This episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about where power, policy, and AI converge. Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development. Interested in a call with James, CEO @ Paces?

    38 min
  7. Building Community Trust in Clean Energy with Hilary Clark

    07/22/2025

    Building Community Trust in Clean Energy with Hilary Clark

    In this episode, James talks with Hilary Clark, Senior Director of Social Licensing at the American Clean Power Association (ACP). With over two decades in permitting and regulatory affairs, Hilary brings deep expertise on how clean energy developers can effectively engage communities and navigate the complex siting landscape in the U.S. They discuss the evolving challenges in local and state-level permitting for wind, solar, and battery projects. Hilary explains the rise of moratoria and bans, the importance of community trust, and how ACP supports developers through advocacy, policy coordination, and digital tools. The conversation also covers the role of automation in feasibility analysis and the limits of technology in community engagement. The rise of permitting barriers like local moratoria and zoning bansThe importance of social license and long-term community relationshipsHow ACP leverages advocacy, policy expertise, and AI tools to support membersWhy the human element remains critical despite digital innovationThis episode offers an essential look at the on-the-ground work required to accelerate clean energy deployment across the country. Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development. Interested in a call with James, CEO @ Paces?

    33 min
  8. Orchestrating Power for Data Centers with Brian Janous of Cloverleaf

    07/08/2025

    Orchestrating Power for Data Centers with Brian Janous of Cloverleaf

    In this episode, James talks with Brian Janous, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Cloverleaf Infrastructure and former Head of Energy at Microsoft. With 25+ years in the utility space — including a decade leading Microsoft’s cloud energy strategy — Brian shares what it was like to scale power procurement during the hyperscale boom and why he founded Cloverleaf to solve the next frontier: grid-aligned power delivery for data centers. They explore the transition from fiber-first to power-first infrastructure, the myth of exponential energy growth, and the real reason AI is accelerating demand at an unprecedented pace. Brian unpacks the growing tension between real estate and power developers, the limitations of behind-the-meter hype, and why grid integration remains king. You’ll also hear insights on: Why utilities are overwhelmed by “two chucks in a truck” proposalsWhat makes a site actually marketable to hyperscalersThe misunderstood economics of flexible load and data center reliabilityHow Cloverleaf partners to derisk power timelines and unlock investmentWhether you’re a power developer, hyperscaler, or real estate operator, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to deliver the electrons that fuel AI. Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development. Interested in a call with James, CEO @ Paces? Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development. Interested in a call with James, CEO @ Paces?

    33 min
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Deep discussions with those who are helping us build our way out of climate change. 

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