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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Real-Time Clean Energy Insights

    06/24/2025

    Real-Time Clean Energy Insights

    In this episode, James talks with Michael Thomas, Founder of CleanView and creator of Distilled. Michael has built a career around impactful storytelling and actionable data, aiming to accelerate clean energy adoption. From tech marketing to climate entrepreneurship, he has channeled his curiosity into initiatives that demystify energy trends and empower decision-makers. They discuss the evolution and impact of CleanView, a real-time platform offering unmatched visibility into clean energy project development across the U.S. Michael shares the journey behind the product, why accessible, transparent data matters, and how policy, geography, and technology trends are shaping the renewable energy landscape. They also explore the political and economic implications of recent clean energy legislation and why active industry engagement is crucial. How CleanView reduces data friction for developers, EPCs, and investorsMarket trends: battery storage expansion, solar booms in the South, and wind project slowdownsThe impact of proposed ITC/PTC tax credit changes on project viabilityThe strategic importance of transparency, local engagement, and rural investmentThis episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about understanding the intersection of data, policy, and infrastructure in the clean energy sector. Paces helps developers accelerate clean energy infrastructure through comprehensive software and services. 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?

    34 min
  8. Inside the Rapid Rise of Data Centers with Pat Lynch

    06/10/2025

    Inside the Rapid Rise of Data Centers with Pat Lynch

    In this episode, James talks with Pat Lynch, Executive Managing Director and Global Head of Data Center Solutions at CBRE. With 30+ years in digital infrastructure, Pat shares his journey from early fiber builds in the 90s to leading CBRE’s global data center strategy. They discuss how CBRE’s data center business scaled from 3% to 10% of company revenue through strategic talent and investment, and how today's growth is shaped by shifting from “bringing power to the site” to “bringing the site to power.” Pat breaks down the unique power challenges developers face, the rise of behind-the-meter generation, and why delivery speed is everything in today’s market. You’ll also hear insights on: AI’s impact on siting and infrastructure designThe risk of stranded assets in power-constrained marketsNavigating utility slowdowns and regulatory uncertaintyGlobal growth opportunities and future talent needs in the sectorWhether you’re in energy, real estate, or tech, this episode delivers a front-row seat to the forces reshaping the future of data infrastructure. Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development. Interested in a call with James, CEO @ Paces?

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

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