Build, Repeat. (A Paces Podcast) Orchestrating Power for Data Centers with Brian Janous of Cloverleaf
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Jul 8, 2025 Brian Janous, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Cloverleaf Infrastructure and former Head of Energy at Microsoft, shares insights from his 25+ years in the utility sector. He discusses the shift from fiber-first to power-first infrastructure in data centers and unpacks the myth of exponential energy growth. Delving into the complexities of power supply, he highlights the growing tension between real estate and power developers, as well as the importance of grid integration. Brian also addresses common misconceptions and the need for collaboration in energy management.
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Brian's Energy Journey at Microsoft
- Brian Janous spent 12 years leading energy strategy at Microsoft during the cloud boom.
- He witnessed firsthand the growing importance of energy for digital infrastructure companies.
Data Center Energy Growth Reality
- Data center energy growth is often misunderstood as exponential, but it's actually relatively constant.
- Efficiency gains prevent runaway energy demand despite increasing cloud infrastructure.
Founding Cloverleaf for Power Issues
- Brian founded Cloverleaf to solve the power delivery challenges data centers face amid AI-driven uncertainty.
- Cloverleaf focuses solely on power orchestration, partnering with data center builders rather than competing with them.