Powering AI: The Race to Energy Independence
Energy independence is the next upgrade
-unlocking cleaner, cheaper, more reliable power right where AI runs
Energy independence is the next upgrade
-unlocking cleaner, cheaper, more reliable power right where AI runs
BRIDGE BETWEEN GREEN ENERGY
PROJECTS AND INVESTORS
AI data centers are scaling at a pace that’s reshaping infrastructure markets
—massive CapEx, specialized design requirements, and financing structures that look increasingly like large-scale industrial projects.
- Data centers are rapidly evolving into energy plays, where power availability, pricing, and reliability can determine whether a site is viable at all.
- Uptime is the defining metric—and every minute of downtime can translate into millions in losses, penalties, and reputational damage.
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are already everywhere in data centers, but they’re typically designed and financed as backup assets—sized mainly to bridge to secondary generation, and amortized over 10–15 years.
- Regulatory and market pressure for carbon neutrality and self-sufficiency is accelerating fast, with the EU leading the push—yet existing backup-focused BESS isn’t built (or economically sized) to store meaningful renewable energy.
- Storage technology is improving quickly and costs are dropping, putting solar PV + storage on track to become the lowest-cost power option in many markets.
- As PV + storage becomes cheaper and more capable, today’s “backup-only” BESS configurations risk becoming obsolete, creating potential stress for facilities whose debt financing assumes long-lived, stable asset value.
- The opportunity: a future where it’s cheaper to generate electricity on-site (PV, wind, biomass) than to buy from a utility—unlocking energy independence as a strategic advantage for data centers.
-
Dr. Stephen R. Clarke, BSc, MBA, PhD
Serial Deep-Tech entrepreneur, in renewable energy and clean water, leading start-ups through IPOs and beyond. Founded the first modern era, Deep Tech Incubator/Accelerator to focus on renewable energy and water. Conceived, developed, and executed multiple technology licenses, trade sales, company spin-offs, and IPOs, securing >>$200 million in early-stage co-financing. Active advocate for Energy Storage since the late 1990’s, and in 2014 helped shape and secure California’s AB 2514, the legislation which underpinned CA’s Energy Storage industry. Founded QuanVerge in 2018 to continue this journey.
Started with 9 in gas-turbines at Rolls-Royce, in the UK, where he led the company’s Manufacturing Engineering activities. Added finance and corporate turn-around skills with several years at BDO and Gemini Consulting before relocating from his native England to the SF Bay Area. B.Sc in mechanical engineering, an MBA and a Ph.D in Computer Simulation and Supply Chain Optimization.
To Help Green Energy Project Sponsors Worldwide to Advance Development, Accelerate Financing, and Secure World-Class Partners for Their Projects
The Program specifically focuses on utility-scale projects initiated by professional teams in:
- Renewable Energy
- Waste-to-Energy
- Hydrogen
- Energy Storage
- Oksana TashakovaFounder & CEOA serial entrepreneur on a mission to make the world a better place, with a flair for disruptive innovation, strategy, and branding.
- Vlad TashakovFounder & Managing DirectorAn entrepreneur with a passion to build long lasting relationships and to enable innovators to advance their sustainability solutions.
