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If I Was 25 Again and Wanted a Career in Renewable Energy… If I could rewind time and give my 25-year-old self advice before entering renewable energy, this is what I’d say: 1️⃣ Don’t chase titles. Chase exposure. Your first years should be about learning EPC, O&M, grid, permits, and banking, not business cards. 2️⃣ Technical skill gets you hired. Communication gets you promoted. The best engineers don’t always become leaders. The best communicators do. 3️⃣ Learn the full lifecycle, not just your job description. Design. Construction. Commissioning. O&M. Asset Management. Understanding the full picture makes you dangerous (in a good way). 4️⃣ Renewable energy is not just about solar panels, it’s about risk. Contracts, safety, compliance, communities, finances, politics. If you can manage risk, you will never be unemployed. 5️⃣ Find mentors. But also learn from broken projects. Success is inspiring. Failure is the real teacher. 6️⃣ Protect your reputation like it’s your company. In this industry, your name travels faster than your CV. 7️⃣ Your body is also an asset. Look after it. Burnout is real in project environments. If you collapse, the project doesn’t stop, it replaces you. 8️⃣ Global exposure will change your mindset forever. Different countries, different grids, different rules, one global standard: execution matters. 9️⃣ Money will come later, skills must come first. Chase competence before compensation. 🔟 And finally… remember why you started. Clean energy is not a trend. It’s responsibility. If you’re 25 and just starting your energy career, You’re in the right industry at the right time. And if you’re already in it… You know this journey is anything but easy, but it’s worth it. 👇 What would YOU tell your 25-year-old self?

As part of LinkedIn's annual #SkillsOnTheRise campaign, I'm sharing the skills I believe energy technology professionals should be investing in right now. From my perspective, three capabilities stand out for anyone working at the intersection of energy and technology:  📈 AI & Machine Learning, Critical Thinking, and Communication skills. I have touched on these topics in my recent guest lectures at University of Toronto and McGill University— because these are the gaps I see, and the opportunities I want the next generation of energy professionals to seize. I firmly believe that the leaders who will shape the Canadian energy landscape are those who can harness emerging technologies, think critically about how and why they use them, and communicate their ideas in ways that inspire action and investment. So how do you build these skills? 🔹 Experiment with AI tools and stay curious   🔹 Design with long‑term impact in mind: think about resilience   🔹 Strengthen both how you share ideas and how you visualize them What skill do you think will matter most for energy tech professionals this year? Share your perspective on #SkillsOnTheRise.

There's no sector where energy use is growing so rapidly. And I don't see any good solution within the next 18-24 months. Speeding up permitting and the approval of connection requests is one thing. Constructing new power plants, substations and transmission lines is another. New power plants can take 5 years to be ready from the time it is clear that a new one is required. An example: Keppel's new 600 MW CCGT was announced (reached FID) on 30 Aug 2022. Groundbreaking was done on 19 July 2023. It is expected to be ready in 1H 2026. Add in the pre-FID timeline and it would be 5 years. For the new YTL PowerSeraya 600 MW CCGT, the RFP was called in July 2023, awarded on 29 Jan 2024, and the plant will be operational by end 2027. So about 4.5 years in total. In fact, EMA will call the RFP for new generation capacity about five years in advance of the year it is projected to be required. Construction of substations can be even longer. One way to lessen the lead time is for the data centre to operate its own on-site power plant so that no new transmission lines are needed. "Continued Ganzi: "We started talking about this over two years ago at the Berlin Infrastructure Conference when I told the investor world, we're running out of power in five years. Well, I was wrong about that. We're kind of running out of power in the next 18 to 24 months."" "Two major trends are getting ready to crash into each other: Cutting-edge AI is supercharging demand for power-hungry data center processing, while slow-moving power utilities are struggling to keep up with demand amid outdated technologies and voluminous regulations." ""Our checks indicate that the minimum lead time to get data center power in most major US markets is +3 years," they wrote in a February report. Specifically, they wrote that it can take up to two-and-a-half years in Dallas to obtain permits for the power necessary to run a new data center. In Atlanta that's up to six years. And in Silicon Valley, it can take up to seven years. But it's even worse in Europe, the TD Cowen analysts warned. Lead times are now up to eight years in top markets like Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris and Dublin." "A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) found that the 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) consumed by data centers in 2022 represented 2% of all global electricity usage. Much of that was driven by computing and cooling functions within data centers. The report also predicted that data center electricity usage will double by 2026. It blamed the rise of power-intensive workloads such as AI and cryptocurrency mining. The IEA report isn't the only one forecasting the power demands of AI. For example, the Uptime Institute predicts AI will account for 10% of the data center industry's global power use by 2025 – up from 2% today, according to the NYT." https://lnkd.in/gxjb5NAm

As our need for computing resources continues to increase servers are consuming more and more power. Racks are expected to eventually consume a megawatt of power which requires rethinking the data center power architecture. This movement is envisioning DC distribution at 400 or 800V DC that is converted from AC at the point of connection with the grid and extends to the server. Two architectures are emerging: NVIDIA’s monopolar 800VDC end-to-end architecture and the OCP’s Mt. Diablo ±400VDC specification; This design change allows for several levels of power conversion to be eliminated improving energy efficiency and reducing the footprint needed for electrical infrastructure. To achieve this vision requires facility level AC to DC conversion devices. Rising to meet this challenge are solid state transformers. Solid state transformers or SSTs are power electronic devices that converts AC to AC or AC to DC. The transformer has been a fundamental component of the grid since its earliest days. They are simple magnetic devices that transform voltage. An SST replaces that with a rectifier, converter, and inverter. For data center applications SSTs can convert AC to 400V or 800V DC to supply the DC power distribution system. They can also be paired with battery backup units or BBUs to enable the facility to meet ride-through requirements and manage demand fluctuations that can induce forced oscillations. Numerous players are emerging to manufacturer SSTs. There are the new entrants like Heron Power and DG Matrix along with existing companies like Solar Edge. With SSTs we see a new implementation of one of the most fundamental components on the grid. Transformers are simple magnetic devices but as SSTs are power electronic devices it is unknown if they will last as long as conventional transformers. They also have implications for the power grid that need to be studied. We have had numerous challenges with power electronic generation such as IBRs that we don’t want with power electronic transformers. We learned that we need proper dynamic and EMT models for these generators, and will need the same for these SSTs. We also need to see what their protection and fault behavior is and study how that interacts with the grid. Finally we need to ensure that grid codes are updated as the transformer moves from a passive device to an actively controlled power electronic device.

The U.S. power grid is struggling to keep up with the huge demand from data centers, forcing us to figure out who should pay for necessary upgrades. Here's what energy project stakeholders need to know: For the past 20 years, demand for electricity grew slowly. But now, power grids are suddenly getting tons of requests, especially from developers who want to build data centers. Many of these are asking for power for projects they might never actually build. This fake demand, called "phantom load," clogs up the system and makes it harder for real projects to get the power they need. Unlike power plants, which have clear rules for getting connected to the grid, large businesses asking for power face fewer hurdles. Some projects can even jump ahead of others based on state economic goals, not because they're ready to build or have the money. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 Right now, everyday homeowners indirectly pay for upgrades to the power grid, while data centers get to use this upgraded system at a cheaper, wholesale rate. (Power companies build enough capacity for the busiest times of the year, which leaves extra energy available. Large users, like data centers, then get access to this "extra" power through special agreements.) Basically, data centers get cheaper power, partly paid for by regular people, who then pay higher rates to cover the grid's actual costs. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 Now American Electric Power (AEP) in Ohio wants data centers to pay 90% of grid upgrade costs upfront. Big tech companies are fighting this, saying it's unfair. But the real issue is that our current system was never designed for huge industrial users that need as much power as entire cities! 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 Getting cheap wholesale power will become much harder. Also, the costs for grid upgrades are shifting directly to big users. What used to be low-cost power strategies could become 2x to 3x more expensive as the market changes. And the market will change. We can't really get around this. My two cents: Developers need to understand the grid's actual capacity, how long it will really take to connect their projects, and the true costs, instead of just chasing temporary low prices. ⚡ I help energy developers understand what's really happening with grid capacity. Follow for more insights! P.S. Need to evaluate your project? 👉 Schedule a call: https://t2m.io/mMoKxRy

The energy industry often thinks of data centers as if they were a single, uniform type of resource/load, but the reality is much more complex. Not only do different facilities have unique operational constraints and design features, but even within the same data center, you can find multiple halls serving different tenants under varying commercial agreements. Because the data center industry is moving so fast, often these commercial landlord/tenant & tenant/customer agreements were designed without the larger power grid in mind. This diversity can actually be beneficial. As energy system modeling with EVs and BESS has shown, real world variation in utilization spreads out impacts on prices and system operations, making them less pronounced than initial estimates suggested. This means: ➤ Load shapes can vary significantly by hardware and end use workload (AI training/inference, storage, services) ➤ Flexibility and availability of demand response depend on contract terms with end use customers, not just technology. ➤Coordination with the grid is harder when commercial priorities (tenant SLAs) don’t align with energy system needs. As the grid and data center sectors become increasingly intertwined, we need to evolve how we think about these facilities, not just as a single monolithic load, but as a complex set of commercial and operational realities. Unlocking the true potential of data centers as grid partners requires acknowledging this diversity and developing new frameworks that bridge commercial structures with energy system needs. #DataCenters #EnergySystems #AIInfrastructure

If I were entering renewable energy in 2026, this is what I would ask the best in the world - What is actually happening beneath the headlines? - What skills will still matter when AI accelerates everything? - And how do I build a career that survives funding cycles? The future of energy is shifting fast. Aid is evolving into trade. Grant capital is tightening. Execution discipline is replacing optimism. And the sector is maturing. Looking back, I can trace a straight line between how I entered this sector and what I’m able to carry today. Life brings surprises. Funding cycles shift. Roles change. But principles endure. Here are the 9 lessons that have shaped my path and continue to guide it divided into three layers. I. The Industry 1. Capital is more disciplined now - Institutions like World Bank and IFC are still active, but money now demands bankability, risk clarity, and execution maturity. Impact language alone won’t unlock capital. 2. Energy is moving from access to productivity - Connections matter. But productive use matters more, cold chains, agri-processing, SMEs, industrial decarbonization. The question is no longer “How many megawatts?” It’s “What economic activity does this unlock?” 3. Trade is replacing aid. Climate finance is shifting from grants to blended finance to private capital. Green industrialization and supply chains are becoming central. If you don’t understand trade dynamics, the next decade will feel confusing. II. The Work 4. Technical knowledge is table stakes. Systems thinking is the edge. Many can size a system. Few understand contracts, procurement structures, incentives, and regulatory timing. Learn how deals are structured, not just how panels are mounted. 5. Relationships outperform spreadsheets. Energy is political. Energy is relational. Reputation compounds in this ecosystem. Protect your name more than your CV. 6. Execution discipline separates professionals from dreamers. Climate ambition is loud. Execution capacity is rare. Documentation. Risk logs. Financial modelling. Delivery consistency. That’s what builds trust. III. You 7. Your career will not be linear. You may move from sales to development to program management to finance. That’s not instability. That’s ecosystem exposure. Collect capabilities, not titles. 8. Funding cycles will test your identity. Projects pause. Budgets shift. Roles disappear. Anchor your confidence in competence, not contracts. 9. Depth beats noise in the age of AI. AI will draft proposals and model spreadsheets. It won’t replace judgment, negotiation nuance, or ethical leadership. Develop thinking capacity, not just task capacity. Almost 10 years in, this is what I know - The RE sector needs both implementers, systems thinkers, capital translators, and institution builders. - If you’re entering the space now, prepare for depth, not hype. - And if you’ve been in this industry for a while, what lesson would you add? Loved this project in 2020 or 2021!

"We solved the power problem." I hear this every week. The solution? Buying natural gas generators to run behind the meter. On paper, it’s a slam dunk. But the excitement usually vanishes when I ask three simple questions: 1. Who is going to run them? 2. Who is doing the maintenance? 3. What is your resiliency plan when you have to take a unit offline? Here is the hard truth no one wants to admit: In the era of "easy money," we got addicted to cookie-cutter deployments. We operationalized for speed and standardization. We assumed that if we bought the asset, the operations would sort themselves out. But running a data center and running a power plant are two very different disciplines. You are moving from "smart hands" to "heavy industrial." And you are doing it in the middle of a historic crisis. 1. The U.S. is currently short of roughly 80,000 electricians. 2. 76% of energy employers report a skills gap. 3. The workforce that knows how to fix turbines is retiring faster than we can replace them. Buying the generator is the easy part. If you are going behind the meter, stop looking for "data center people." Your current staff cannot support this. You need to look outside our industry entirely and you needed to start recruiting them yesterday. The hardware doesn't solve the problem if you don't have the humans to manage it. Infrastructure Masons Nomad Futurist Northstar Enterprise + Defense #DataCenters

🌍 Building a Thriving Career in Oil & Gas: A Roadmap for Aspiring Professionals ⚙️ The oil & gas industry is more than just rigs and refineries — it's a dynamic, global ecosystem full of opportunities for those ready to grow, adapt, and lead. Whether you're just starting out or looking to pivot into this sector, here’s a practical guide to help you build a meaningful and resilient career: 🔍 1. See How Careers Evolve in Oil & Gas From field engineers to data scientists, HSE advisors to HR business partners — the industry offers diverse paths. Careers evolve through exposure to cross-functional projects, international assignments, and continuous learning. Explore stories of professionals who started in one role and grew into leadership or technical expert positions. 🛠️ 2. Set the Career Development Process Career growth doesn’t happen by chance. Set clear goals, identify the competencies required, and seek feedback regularly. Leverage mentorship, training programs, and stretch assignments to accelerate your development. 🏆 3. Understand the Traits of Winners Resilience, adaptability, safety-first mindset, and a passion for innovation are key. Top performers in oil & gas are those who embrace complexity, collaborate across cultures, and stay curious in the face of change. 📈 4. Manage Your Career and Your Performance Own your performance. Regularly review your progress, align with your manager, and be proactive in seeking opportunities. Performance is not just about results — it’s also about behaviors, values, and how you contribute to the bigger picture. 🧭 5. Build Your Career Plan Map out your short-, mid-, and long-term goals. Identify the skills, experiences, and networks you need at each stage. Stay flexible — the industry is evolving with energy transition, digitalization, and sustainability at the forefront. ✅ 6. Summary & Action The oil & gas industry is full of promise for those who are intentional, agile, and committed to growth. Action it: Reflect on where you are today Define where you want to go Take one step this week — whether it’s reaching out to a mentor, enrolling in a course, or updating your career plan 💬 Let’s connect: If you're exploring a career in oil & gas or already navigating it, I’d love to hear your story. What’s one lesson you’ve learned or one question you have? #CareerDevelopment #OilAndGas #EnergyIndustry #Leadership #CareerGrowth #PeopleAndCulture #FutureOfWork #EnergyTransition

The Green Retrofit Playbook: Turning Legacy Data Centres into AI-Ready Climate Assets Many operating data centres were built for a different era. AI is now driving 30–100+ kW/rack, while grids and sustainability requirements tighten. Greenfield will still matter but it won’t scale fast enough on its own. The fastest, most responsible path is a comprehensive green retrofit. Done well, programmes can deliver ~30–55% energy reduction, with positive ROI typically ~18–36 months, while unlocking stranded capacity and extending asset life. Beyond PUE: the KPI stack that prevents “greenwashing” Modern retrofit success is measurable across: - PUE (ISO-standard) - WUE (L/kWh) - CUE (carbon intensity) - ERF (Energy Reuse Factor) The phased playbook (live-site: low regret → structural upgrades) Phase 1: Build the “Living Baseline” Start with forensic thermal/airflow mapping to pinpoint bypass air, recirculation, and control instability. Use sensor data + a practical digital twin to test scenarios before major capex. Phase 2: Quick wins: fix air first Containment, blanking panels, sealing cable cut-outs are still the best ROI moves. Then raise inlet setpoints toward 18–27°C with alarm/rollback discipline. Often this yields ~10–15% cooling-energy reduction and frees trapped capacity for new IT. Phase 3: Create “AI Islands” with hybrid cooling Don’t liquid-cool the whole building on day one. Deploy RDHx and/or direct-to-chip for high-density zones so AI racks can be hosted without rebuilding entire halls. Pair with water-lean strategies (e.g., warm-water loops, closed-loop approaches) to reduce WUE exposure. Phase 4: Modernise the power train + become grid-smart Upgrade to high-efficiency modular UPS (≈98–99%) to cut continuous waste heat, and integrate BESS for peak shaving and demand response, shifting from “must-serve load” to flexible load where markets allow. Phase 5: Kill “zombie servers” + reuse heat Decommission idle hardware (often 20–30% of inventory). Extend lifecycles 3 → 3–7 years where appropriate to reduce embodied carbon intensity ~40–50%. Capture waste heat for district heating/public facilities when viable. Phase 6: AI-driven cooling control Digital twins + AI controls can automate optimisation; mature deployments can cut cooling energy by up to ~40% (upper-bound), when sensors, controls and governance are robust. Targets & performance tiers (make ambition executable) Legacy baseline: PUE 1.8–2.5, WUE 2.0–4.0 L/kWh, utilisation 10–20%, renewables 0–20% Tier A (fast retrofit): PUE 1.3–1.5, WUE <1.0, utilisation 30–40%, renewables 40–60% Tier C (AI/liquid-forward): PUE ≤1.15, WUE <0.5, utilisation 50–70%, renewables 80–100% Green retrofit isn’t an ESG checkbox. It’s how legacy facilities become AI-ready, water-lean, grid-smart climate assets - fast. #GreenRetrofit #DataCenters #AIInfrastructure #AIDC #LiquidCooling #Sustainability #EnergyEfficiency #PUE #WUE #CUE #CircularEconomy #DigitalTwin #GridFlexibility #NetZero #ClimateTech