Ep. 152 Tim Heidel, CEO & Founder at VEIR | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast

Episode 152 of the Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast features an interview with Tim Heidel, CEO & Founder at VEIR.

Discover the rapid pace of architectural and technological change in data centers.
Understand challenges and opportunities in building future-proof electrical infrastructure.
Explore the application of superconducting power solutions in the data center market.
Learn strategies for adapting to disruptive technology within a dynamic industry.
Examine the critical importance of reliability and safety in large-scale infrastructure projects.
Identify diverse career paths and skillsets valuable in the data center and energy sectors.
Appreciate how technical expertise drives meaningful partnerships and peer-to-peer collaboration.
Recognize the necessity of considering different time horizons and deployment scenarios in innovation planning.
Anticipate emerging trends and future challenges facing next-generation data centers.
Gain insights into startup growth, team development, and commercial scaling in the tech sector.

Host:
Joshua Feinberg, CEO
DCSMI

Special Guest:
Tim Heidel, CEO & Founder
VEIR

Tim Heidel, co-founder and CEO of VEIR, discusses the rapid evolution of data centers, emphasizing the need for adaptability and innovation in power infrastructure.

VEIR focuses on high-temperature superconductors to enhance power density and efficiency, particularly in data centers.

Heidel highlights the company's origins in 2019, driven by the need for increased electrical infrastructure due to decarbonization and grid strain.

VEIR's solutions aim to address the challenges of delivering power to high-density server racks and large-scale data centers. Heidel also advises young professionals to embrace change and consider careers in energy and data center technologies.

Outline

Data Center Industry's Pace of Change

Tim Heidel emphasizes the rapid pace of change in the data center industry, highlighting the evolving architecture for power movement and the roles of different stakeholders.
The industry is described as highly dynamic, flexible, and bespoke, offering significant opportunities in both technical and capital fields.
Tim Heidel introduces himself as the co-founder and CEO of VEIR, a company focused on superconducting power solutions.
Joshua Feinberg welcomes Tim Heidel to the Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast and introduces the topic of superconducting power solutions for data centers.

VEIR's Superconducting Power Solutions

Tim Heidel explains the need for increased electrical infrastructure due to global decarbonization efforts and the challenges of building transmission networks.
VEIR's focus on high-temperature superconductors, which can transmit large amounts of electrical current with minimal heat generation, is discussed.
The company's initial focus on transmission solutions has evolved to include data centers due to the increasing power density demands.
VEIR's technology is seen as a scalable, reliable, and cost-effective solution for high-power density applications in data centers.

Tim Heidel's Career Background

Tim Heidel shares his career background, including his role as Research Director for MIT's Future Electric Grid Study and his work at ARPA-E.
He highlights his focus on power system technologies, power electronics, and the importance of building better and bigger transmission systems.
The driving factors for his career include sustainability, aging infrastructure, and the need for resilient electricity systems.
Tim emphasizes the importance of adapting to new tools and processes to stay relevant in the rapidly changing industry.

Advice for Early Career Professionals

Tim advises early career professionals to embrace the pace of change in the data center industry and learn the fundamentals of power, cooling, and data transportation.
He highlights the opportunities in both technical and capital fields, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adaptability.
The conversation touches on the need for policy questions and the potential for unprecedented density and scale within the industry.
Tim encourages young professionals to explore various threads within the industry, including technical innovations and capital mobilization.

Commercial Challenges and Opportunities

Tim discusses the commercial challenges faced by VEIR, including the importance of reliability and safety in large-scale infrastructure projects.
He emphasizes the need for systems engineering expertise and the ability to interface effectively with other partners in the data center ecosystem.
The conversation highlights the importance of adaptability and the willingness to part ways with traditional rules of thumb.
Tim sees opportunities for both new and experienced professionals to contribute to the industry's growth and innovation.

Impact of Technical Buyers and Peer-to-Peer Collaboration

Tim notes the trend of technical buyers preferring to spend time with peers rather than traditional sales teams.
VEIR's approach to partnerships involves working closely with technical colleagues to design reference designs and explore the art of the possible.
The company's solutions, such as superconducting cables, allow for more efficient power delivery and redesigning data center layouts.
Tim highlights the importance of technical expertise and the ability to brainstorm across different domains to bring full solutions to market.

Mistakes and Oversights in Power Density Improvement

Tim identifies the biggest mistake as not recognizing the pace of change and the different contexts in which power density challenges need to be addressed.
He explains the need to differentiate between current, future, and long-term power density requirements.
VEIR's solutions are designed to address different time scales and deployment contexts, ensuring they meet the needs of various data center types.
The conversation underscores the importance of clear communication and understanding the specific challenges faced by different stakeholders.

Future Outlook for VEIR

Tim outlines VEIR's future plans, including building demonstrations of first-generation products and lining up pilots with key partners.
The company aims to qualify its manufacturing facilities and prepare for commercial deliveries, focusing on project execution teams.
Tim expects VEIR to be involved in commercial projects for mega-scale data center campuses within the next two to four years.
The startup journey is described as exciting, with rapid maturity and continuous learning among the team members.

Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Tim appreciates the opportunity to discuss VEIR's work and provide advice for professionals at various stages of their careers.
He encourages listeners to follow VEIR on LinkedIn for updates and to reach out for more information.
Joshua Feinberg thanks Tim for the insightful conversation and highlights the unique approach of VEIR in the energy and power industry.
The Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast is sponsored by DCSMI, which aims to elevate the role of sales, marketing, and go-to-market professionals in the data center industry.

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Resources

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