Podcast: Data Center Trends Discussion with Industry Veteran Ron Vokoun of Everus Construction Group

For this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show Podcast, DCF Editor in Chief Matt Vincent and Senior Editor David Chernicoff sat down for a far-reaching discussion with data center industry luminary Ron Vokoun, a 35-year veteran of the construction industry with a primary focus on digital infrastructure.

"I got into telecom back in ’92, which led to data centers," Vokoun said. "Probably worked on my first one around ’96 or ’97, and I’ve been involved ever since."

Currently the Director of National Market Development for Everus Construction Group, Vokoun has been involved in AFCOM, both regionally and nationally, for nearly two decades and is an emeritus content advisory board member for Data Center World. He has also written extensively for Data Center Dynamics.

He added, "I’ve just always been curious—very much a learner. Being a construction guy, I often write about things I probably have no business writing about, which is always the challenge, but I’m just curious—a lifelong learner. Interestingly, [DCF founder] Rich Miller ... gave me my first blogging opportunity."

Here's a timeline of the podcast's highlights:

Introductions
- Ron Vokoun shares his extensive background. He has been in the construction industry for 35 years. 1:46
- On his role at Everus Construction Group and the company's diverse services across the nation. 2:07
- Vokoun reflects on his long-standing relationship with Rich Miller. He acknowledges Rich's influence on his blogging career. 3:05

Nuclear Energy
- A discussion about nuclear energy trends occurs. The importance of nuclear energy in data center construction is probed. 3:35
- Natural gas is highlighted as a key trend. Its role as a gateway to hydrogen is emphasized. 3:51
- The impact of recent nuclear developments is analyzed. The reopening of Three Mile Island is noted as significant. 4:55

Future Power Sources for Data Centers
- Discussion turns to the timeline for small modular reactors (SMR). Vokoun expresses some confidence that significant developments will occur within five years. 5:42
- Natural gas is identified as a potential primary power source. Its role as a cleaner alternative to diesel generators is acknowledged. 7:49

Natural Gas Interest
- Vokoun talks about how natural gas generators are being considered by major companies, and how much more implementation is anticipated in the near future. 9:18
- The advantages of multiple power sources are emphasized. Vokoun remarks on how natural gas plants can adjust more quickly than nuclear or coal plants. 10:53

Power Project Lawsuits and Concerns
- Concerns about the impact on residential customers are raised. The relocation of power from one vendor to another is discussed. 12:12
- The potential for increased power generation is highlighted. A net decarbonization effect is suggested due to more carbon-free power sources. 12:59

Impact of Liquid Cooling
- Discussion centers on advancements in power distribution. Insights are shared on liquid cooling infrastructure trends. 13:34
- Direct liquid cooling is noted as prevalent. Immersion cooling is mentioned as having lost traction. 16:06

Immersion Cooling Technologies
- A discussion about immersion cooling technologies occurs. The efficiency of direct to chip cooling is emphasized. 17:12
- Concerns regarding the weight of new racks are raised. The need for plumbing in liquid cooling systems is highlighted. 17:48
- The potential narrowing of the immersion cooling market is predicted. A quick market response is anticipated based on immersion cooling's market share. 19:00

Energy Storage Technologies Overview
- The advantages of various energy storage technologies are discussed. Lead acid, lithium ion, and sodium solutions are mentioned as key options. 20:00
- The shift in market share from lead acid batteries is highlighted. Sodium-based products are noted as an exciting emerging technology. 20:41
- Data centers in new locations are referenced. 21:50

Evolving Site Selection Criteria
- The evolution of site selection for data centers is discussed. The importance of having reliable power sources is emphasized. 22:57
- The rise of data center locations in Indiana is highlighted, as an example of how previously overlooked areas are now experiencing significant development. 24:01

Key Quotes from Ron Vokoun on the Data Center Frontier Show Podcast

On the Timeline for Nuclear and SMRs
Ron Vokoun:
"I believe it’s closer to five years than it is 10. But in the meantime, I think natural gas is going to fill in that gap, probably more than we want."

On Natural Gas as a Power Source
Ron Vokoun:
"So many projects cannot move forward because they don’t have power. People are looking at various means of providing either bridge power for three to five years or permanent primary power. Some of the largest companies are looking at natural gas generators as a primary power source or a bridge power source. It’s very much in play, being looked at, and probably very close to being implemented in some cases."

On Being Behind the Meter
Ron Vokoun:
"I think the real game changer [with nuclear power] is being behind the meter—that they’re right next door. If it is truly a direct connect to the nuclear plant, you’re cutting out all the inefficiencies of the grid. So much power is lost to the grid going from A to B that if you can make a shorter connection and a more direct connection, more of that power is going to be directly used. That’s a positive gain for the entire industry."

On Residential Power Impacts from Data Centers
Ron Vokoun:
"I don’t think anyone residential is going to feel a thing. If anything, I think their rates could potentially go down because of greater power generation and the efficiencies of larger power plants like that."

On Power Distribution and Liquid Cooling
Ron Vokoun:
"From a power distribution standpoint, I haven’t seen anything terribly new—just more robust. With the densities that we’re seeing now with AI, you’re seeing larger tap boxes, more of them. And liquid cooling is everywhere. It’s being implemented so much more than people realize. Maybe not in your everyday colocation data center, but any of the colocation providers leasing to hyperscalers—it’s all got liquid cooling in it or at least the connections to do that. It’s in everything I’ve seen in the last couple of years now."

On Direct-to-Chip Cooling vs. Immersion Cooling
Ron Vokoun:
"The form factors of immersion cooling are really a mental block for a lot of people. Direct-to-chip cooling is what we’re seeing so much of. It’s very precise—it goes right to where the heat is being resolved, and you can still get to the rest of the server and the cabling. I think for the foreseeable future, and maybe well beyond that, it’s all going to be direct-to-chip. I haven’t seen anything that will replace it yet. If immersion doesn’t grab more market share in the next couple of years, I think you’ll see that market and its vendors dwindle pretty quickly."

On Energy Storage Trends
Ron Vokoun:
"Lead-acid is a very proven technology, but I think it’s already given up market share and will continue to do so. Lithium-ion has been a nice change—it’s lighter and has a smaller footprint. I’m probably more excited about sodium-based products. I believe that technology is what’s really coming on in the marketplace, but I’m not an expert on it yet."

On Emerging Data Center Markets
Ron Vokoun:
"The site selection game has changed so radically—it’s all about power. If you really have power, people will come to wherever you are. No one was talking about Indiana two years ago, and now there’s activity in Jeffersonville, Fort Wayne, and northwestern Indiana. Other unexpected places are popping up too. Some criteria are technology-driven. For example, ECL’s hydrogen-powered data centers chose a site outside Houston because it has three hydrogen pipelines under it. It’s a very different siting criterion compared to others, but I think hydrogen infrastructure will increase in the future."

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