Ep. 118 Christian Dupalco, Mission-Critical Systems Engineer of Bureau Veritas

Episode 118 of the Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast features an interview with Christian Dupalco, Mission-Critical Systems Engineer at Bureau Veritas

Discover the career journey of a data center commissioning engineer
Explore the evolving landscape of AI's impact on data center infrastructure
Uncover the critical challenges in power management for modern data centers
Navigate the different types and applications of artificial intelligence
Master the multi-level process of data center commissioning
Identify key trends shaping the future of digital infrastructure
Understand the importance of passion and continuous learning in technical careers
Examine the role of sustainability in next-generation data center design
Investigate productivity tools used by commissioning professionals
Recognize the global demand for specialized engineering expertise
Evaluate the complex power requirements of emerging technologies
Trace the career progression of engineers in the digital infrastructure sector

Host:

Joshua Feinberg
DCSMI

Special Guest:

Christian Dupalco, Mission-Critical Systems Engineer

Bureau Veritas

Christian Dupalco, a commissioning engineer at Bureau Veritas in Japan, discussed the evolving landscape of data centers, emphasizing the critical need for AI power management. He highlighted the challenges of underestimating AI's power demands, citing examples like Nvidia GPUs and Bitcoin mining in Norway. Dupalco detailed the commissioning process, from design review to functional performance testing, and stressed the importance of flexibility and sustainability in future data centers. He also mentioned the growing demand for commissioning expertise, driven by significant investments from companies like Microsoft and Blackstone. Dupalco shared his insights on the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement in engineering careers.

Outline

Christian Dupalco's Background and Role

Christian Dupalco introduces himself as a commissioning engineer with Bureau Veritas in Japan.
Joshua Feinberg welcomes Christian to the Data Center Go to Market Podcast and inquires about his career path.
Christian shares his journey from the Philippines to Japan, highlighting his nine years of experience as a mechanical engineer.
Joshua discusses the expanding data center trends in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Interest in Engineering and Career Path

Joshua asks Christian if he always wanted to pursue a career in engineering or if it was a decision made later.
Christian explains that he always wanted to become an engineer but was unsure of the specific type until he discovered his passion for cars.
Joshua shares a parallel story about an Australian colocation data center owner with a similar interest in high-performance cars.
Joshua mentions his son's interest in engineering and the various career paths it can lead to, including sales, business development, and entrepreneurship.

Engineering Career Diversity and Innovation

Christian discusses the diverse career paths of engineers, including moving from technical roles to project management and entrepreneurship.
Joshua highlights the importance of engineers' innovative thinking and their ability to adapt to different technical and project management roles.
Christian emphasizes the importance of staying updated with industry trends, especially in AI and data centers.
Joshua notes that many people in client-facing roles in data centers come from engineering backgrounds, making them effective experts and communicators.

Advice for Aspiring Engineers

Joshua asks Christian for advice for young people considering a career in engineering.
Christian advises finding what one is passionate about and ensuring it aligns with long-term goals.
He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's "why" and not giving up on pursuing their passion.
Christian shares a motivational quote about the power of believing in oneself and the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement.

Challenges in Data Center Commissioning

Joshua inquires about the biggest challenges in data center commissioning.
Christian identifies underestimating the power requirements of AI as a significant challenge.
He provides examples of AI's high power consumption, such as Nvidia GPUs and Bitcoin mining in Norway.
Christian explains the importance of planning for AI's power needs and the role of immersion cooling in managing these demands.

Understanding AI and Its Impact on Data Centers

Christian categorizes AI into four types: machine learning, natural language processing, conversational AI, and generative AI.
He explains the applications of each type, such as spam detection, customer support, and text and video generation.
Christian highlights the rapid advancements in AI and its increasing demand for power in data centers.
Joshua and Christian discuss the cultural and educational challenges in understanding and planning for AI's power needs.

Role of Commissioning Engineers in Data Centers

Joshua asks Christian to explain the role of commissioning engineers in data centers.
Christian describes the different levels of commissioning, from design review to functional performance testing.
He explains the importance of factory witness tests, installation checks, and energization testing.
Christian emphasizes the need for thorough testing and documentation to ensure the data center's reliability and efficiency.

Future Trends in Data Center Commissioning

Joshua inquires about the future of data center commissioning.
Christian predicts increased flexibility and sustainability in data centers, including dynamic workload management and partnerships with solar farms.
He mentions the significant investments in data centers by companies like Blackstone and the growing demand for commissioning expertise.
Christian highlights the importance of considering extreme conditions and actual operating hours in data center design.

Tools and Technologies Used by Commissioning Engineers

Joshua asks Christian about the productivity tools he uses in his role.
Christian mentions Eaton power monitors, which alert him to overloaded circuits, and the use of AI for translating technical manuals.
He highlights the usefulness of software like Schneider Electric's Eco Structure for creating 3D maps of power chains.
Christian also mentions Obsidian for note-taking and task management, which helps him stay organized and efficient.

Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Joshua thanks Christian for sharing his insights and experiences.
Christian provides his LinkedIn profile for anyone interested in connecting with him.
He emphasizes the importance of keeping data centers cool, powered, and online to ensure their effectiveness.
Joshua concludes the podcast by encouraging listeners to learn more about Bureau Veritas and the data center industry.

Guest Resources

Resources

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Ep. 118 Christian Dupalco, Mission-Critical Systems Engineer of Bureau Veritas | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast