How to Speed Microgrid Development for Data Centers

Two energy giants come together with a new strategy

The global data center boom is colliding head-on with one of the most pressing bottlenecks in the energy sector: access to reliable, timely power. In this episode, host Elisa Wood sits down with Jim Mozell, senior director of strategic partnerships at Siemens Energy, and Juan Colina, data center and IT segment leader at Eaton, to discuss how together they are trying to overcome interconnection delays and provide “speed to power” for microgrids.

While many data center developers scramble for quick fixes—from reviving retired plants to chasing speculative nuclear projects—these two energy giants came together to propose a “power to chip” approach. The result, they say, is faster deployment timelines, optimized efficiency, and a more financially sustainable way to meet AI-driven compute demand.

This conversation explores:

●  Why interconnection delays (often 7–9 years) are driving data centers to rethink power strategies

●  How Siemens and Eaton’s microgrid design enables modular, onsite generation—scalable from 250 MW to a gigawatt

●  The critical role of redundancy, efficiency, and combined-cycle technology in meeting massive compute demand

●  How data centers can shift from being heavy consumers to becoming good grid citizens

●  Global regulatory challenges and opportunities across the U.S. and Europe

●  Why slowing down the “frenzy buying” of energy deals could save operators money and optimize long-term sustainability

About the Guests

Jim Mozell

Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Siemens Energy

Jim leads collaborations that address global energy challenges through scalable, efficient technology. At Siemens Energy, he works on integrating advanced power generation systems into industrial applications, including the fast-growing data center sector.

Juan Colina

Data Center & IT Segment Leader, Eaton

Juan is responsible for shaping Eaton’s global strategy for powering next-generation data centers. With expertise in modularization, resilience, and electrical distribution, he focuses on helping operators scale sustainably while ensuring reliability from “onsite generation to chip.”

• The market panic around securing power for data centers
  

• Why Eaton and Siemens chose a modular microgrid approach
  

• Technical components: Siemens’ SGT-800 turbines, batteries, and Eaton’s switchgear/UPS solutions
  

• How modular scaling helps manage CapEx and growth timelines
  

• The opportunity cost of waiting for grid connections vs. generating onsite
  

• Financial viability and efficiency as essential long-term considerations
  

• Regulatory hurdles in Europe and North America
  

• Future vision: campuses and hub-and-spoke models supported by optimized onsite power
  

Relevant Links

• Energy Changemakers Podcast
  

• Siemens Energy
  

• Eaton Data Centers
  

📩 Have questions or insights? Email Elisa at ElisaWood@energychangemakers.com to keep the conversation going.

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