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We’re your smart, handsome friend that keeps you up to date and learning about the world of data centers, telecom and IT.

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- Big Deals -

Oak Hill is getting its fiber

The PE firm is splashing $150 million into Lit Communities, the Alabama-based fiber broadband provider.
With the aim of supercharging its fiber-to-the-home network offering, this infusion will give Lit more strength to weave its last-mile networks into the fabric of underserved communities nationwide.

This is just another day at the office for Oak Hill, whose been pumping capital into broadband businesses across the eastern half of the US for years.

From bedding to bidding…

With the recently announced section 11 of Bed Bath and Beyond, the days of turning infinitely left into section after section of home goods are over, and their data center is on the market.
Amid a sea of 475 retail leases and nine warehouse leases, the data center, a $36.8 million 2012 investment, stands out as the digital centerpiece of the fallen retail giant’s distress sale.

With Microsoft investing billions in Catawba County digital properties, this may end up being the ultimate ‘beyond'‘ for the BB+B brand.

Austin lands a biggun

This is PowerCampus: the new 600MW data center campus development coming to Austin in 2024.
A partnership between Prologis and Skybox, the 4 million sqft behemoth will include two private 300MW substations and 6-8 buildings at the campus, featuring data centers ranging from 24 to 72 watts.

The project is on the heels of Skybox Austin 1, a 30MW facility developed by the same partnership currently under construction just south of the planned PowerCampus site.

This will be one of the largest, most scalable data centers in the United States. But Skybox’s CEO isn’t letting it go to his head. He’s calling this project “the start of a new era in hyperscale development.”

Couple of thoughts: Because of it’s proximity to the 345kV transmission corridor, and with companies like Data Foundry, Digital Realty, CyrusOne and Element Critical establishing a presence, Austin is quickly becoming one of the hottest dc markets in the country.

Also, Prologis is huge. DC Frontier mentions that they have over a billion square feet under their roofs.
Here’s a good write-up of the partnership.

- Power and Cooling -

Microsoft inks a world’s-first fusion deal with Helion

Microsoft has made no secret of its intentions of being carbon negative by 2030. Its new deal with the fusion-pioneering Helion Energy, is a big, if risky part of that plan.

The deal to power a Washington-based plant by 2028 with 50MW of power is a first-of-its-kind agreement. The technology was just months ago demonstrated as possible by Lawrence Livermore National Labs in California, and this deal is a direct result of that proof of concept.

Helion has been developing their technologies for over a decade, and is currently working on its 7th fusion prototype, Polaris. They expect to be generating fusion power by 2024.

Thoughts: Who knows if 2028 is the right projection date? This technology is incredibly exciting, and may well play a huge part in our energy solutions for the coming centuries. But Helion is making some bold claims of capabilities for a technology that exists in its very early stages.

If you want more general information on the state of nuclear fusion, this video is good.

Proteus approved for on-board data center

The underwater research habitat Proteus, is one step closer to deployment. They just signed an agreement with NOAA (government weather people) for a 2026 launch, allowing them to conduct joint research.

Here’s what they’ve got planned: A two-story, circular underwater facility with 2000 sq ft of aquanaut suites, wet and dry labs, and a data center. It’s all going to be powered by wind, solar and ocean thermal energy.

The facility will be located near Curacau (Island above Venezuela) and at a depth of 60ft. At max capacity it will house 12 scientists and innovators.

Daily Dall-e

“Listen, we’re taking off, but whatever you guys do, don’t mess with nuclear power, it’s a world-ender every time.”

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- Taylor