Schedule

7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Registration

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Registration & Breakfast

Check in, pick up your name badge, conference materials and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast.

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks

Bob Cassiliano, 7x24 Exchange chairman, will open the conference, provide an overview, review meeting logistics and address general housekeeping items.

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Conference Keynote:
Leadership: Chaos is Opportunity

Admiral Rogers shows why and how periods of turmoil and chaos are often a leader’s greatest opportunity to shepherd transformational change. While people and organizations seem hard-wired to favor stability and resist change, necessity forces the hand of invention. According to multiple analysts and headlines, the global pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of entire industries by three to seven years—and that window of opportunity is still open—not only for technological change but for shifts in organizational culture and the future of work. Admiral Rogers shows leaders how to embrace the power of chaos and fully leverage its momentum for change.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Refreshment Break

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Real Talk – Do we Really Need to Replace those Diesels?

As the data center industry is pushing forward to become more sustainable, one controversial topic remains on what to do with using diesel generators. We may love or hate them. This panel of industry leaders represents different technology providers, such as fuel cells, different generator technologies (incl. diesel) and battery solutions. We’ll look at hydrogen, natural gas and other fuel options. Representatives from the environmental agency or utility will round out this panel. Panelists will have the opportunity to debate and help the audience to better understand what to do moving forward. We will take a close look at the good, the bad, and the ugly. Real talk – real results!

Moderator:
Carsten Baumann (bio)
Director Strategic Initiatives & Solution Architect
Schneider Electric

Panelists:
Paul Froutan (bio)
Chief Technology Officer
Enchanted Rock

Daniel Schreiber (bio)
Senior Director of Product Marketing
Plug Power

Melissa Reali-Elliott(bio)
Digital Marketing & Content Manager
Kohler

Samuel Short(bio)
Deputy Director Air Permit Division
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Checklists and MOPs in Data Center Operations

Developing a high-quality Method of Procedure (MOP) is challenging, and poor quality MOPs pose serious risks to data center uptime and reliability. This presentation will discuss how to write, execute, and manage MOPs. The risks associated with poorly written MOPs are high. A well-designed MOP is a significant resource, while a poor MOP is a hazard and an avenue to accidents and incidents. We will review strategies for making MOPs more likely to be executed as intended, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Even the best quality MOP becomes hazardous if execution is poor or haphazard. The talk will cover proper execution of MOPs including briefing, the two-person challenge/response protocol, the significance of unanticipated system responses, and assessing the facility state after an unanticipated response. Data centers undergo change, and MOPs require constant maintenance and review. The talk will cover post-MOP debriefing, editing, and maintaining MOPs.

Steve Fairfax (bio)
President
MTechnology

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch and Networking

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Breakout A:
The Edge of Security

With IoT’s vast global economic and societal significance, this presentation will address security concerns for manufacturers, software platforms, and end-users wanting to invest with clarity, adapt to the new norm, while consolidating previously disjointed data for insight, automation, AI, and ML. Learning outcomes will include: IoT solution definition, IoT security’s history, fundamental differences of attack surface of IoT vs. traditional I.T., understanding security layers that don’t hinder the IoT promise, best practices from a manufacturer’s and customer’s perspective for best outcomes vs risk, and investigate the current government entry into solutions.

Michael Skurla (bio)
Chief Product Officer
Radix IoT

Breakout B:
Decarbonizing Data Centers

Who would have thought that we would be using terms like decarbonization in the data center environment? The term is often associated with the electrification of heat which we all know isn’t needed in the data center. In this session, we will explore the defining aspects of decarbonization and recent changes in Green House Gas (GHG) and emissions reporting.

Trevor Joelson (bio)
Decarbonization Program Lead
Trane Technologies

Breakout C:
Circularity & Data Center Sustainability

According to the latest CBRE report, demand in H2 2021 totaled 350MW. To meet this increasing demand from both existing and emerging technologies, data center operators need to shift the focus away from linear supply chain thinking and towards the practice of circularity and resilience. This session will review how alternative methods, materials and supplier relationships need to be considered to meet demand and deliver on the sustainability goals. The discussion will focus on the need for supply chain circularity and data center development “fungibility” as keys to eliminating the embodied carbon footprint of data centers moving forward.

Nic Bustamante (bio)
Senior Vice President, Data Center Development
Corscale Data Centers

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
7x24 Exchange Traditional Create Your Own Sundae Break

3:00 PM –4:00 PM
WiMCO: Develop a Young Professionals Community to Drive Engagement

This panel discussion highlights an opportunity which fosters engagement, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and career development among our young professionals. This network of technically aware young professionals strives to give everyone a community of support and learning to help ensure retention and growth within the Data Center industry. Come find out how your organization can benefit from a young professionals group.

Organized by the 7x24 Exchange International Women in Mission Critical Operations (WiMCO^®) Committee

Moderator:
Aheli Purkayastha (bio)
Chief Product Officer
Purkay Labs

Panelists:
Sarah Godbehere (bio)
Data Center Construction Program Manager
Google

Sara Wengrowski (bio)
Data Center Program Engineer
Meta

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
WiMCO Networking Reception

Join the National Women in Mission Critical Operations Committee for a networking reception
SPONSORED BY:

6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Marquis Plus+ Partner Showcase

You better believe everything is BIGGER IN TEXAS – the trucks, the hats, the hair, the cows, the BBQ, the state pride and The Marquis Plus+ Partner Showcase! Did you know… Texas is the second largest state, it has double the square miles of the 10 smallest states combined and is twice the size of Germany. Visit our Marquis Plus+ Partners as they show off what’s bigger in their collection of products and services and experience a big Texas welcome while you explore more of what goes on in the Lone Star State.

Sometimes bigger isn’t always better, but in this case, IT IS! Yeehaw, y’all!

Special thanks to our Marquis Plus+ Partners that made this event possible:

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Breakfast & Registration

Check in, pick up your name badge, conference materials and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast.

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Opening Remarks

Bob Cassiliano will review day one highlights, recognize the conference Corporate Leadership Program sponsors and give a 7x24 Exchange update.

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Tuesday Keynote:
Building for the Future Requires Change Today: How New and Open Standard Technologies Will Sustainably Drive Tomorrow’s Digital Infrastructure

Exploding digital infrastructure demand is forcing data center operators to adopt next-gen technologies, new architectures, faster time-to-market strategies, open standards and new ways to deliver compute – all while being more sustainable. Experts will share their experiences and strategies for tackling these challenges. We’ll cover liquid cooling options for various needs (immersion and to-the-chip), new power architectures (DC power, grid stabilization, renewables), time to market (standardization, modularity, blind mating), sustainability, and how open standards can help you build for the future. Are you ready for how the delivery of digital infrastructure and compute is changing?

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Refreshment Break

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Forward-Looking Data Center Design in Urban Environments

Numerous drivers are forcing change in the way data centers are built. Demand is pulling them into urban environments and technology trends are pushing up densities, while cost metrics and societal factors are applying pressure to reduce consumption of power and water. This means owners and developers are facing new challenges in adapting standards and business practices to successfully navigate these trends in an increasingly competitive market. This presentation provides some insight for end users, designers, developers and operators into what's possible and practical.

Jeff Clark (bio)
VP of Engineering
Prime Data Centers

Todd Czworniak (bio)
Associate Partner
Syska Hennessy Group

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Keeping Data Center Options Liquid – OCP Case Study & Best Practices

Data center cooling requirements are changing, liquid cooled ITE solutions are evolving into mainstream usage. Most data centers will need to have a plan to add liquid cooled ITE in their future. Historically, liquid cooling in data centers was driven by density needs. Today, efficiency and sustainability benefits escalate the development of liquid cooled ITE solutions. This discussion will provide a review of OpenCompute Project best practices and reference designs in liquid cooling, with a case study example of success in action.

Moderator:
Don Mitchell (bio)
Cooling Environment Co-Lead
OpenCompute Project

Panelists:
Sam Allen (bio)
Director, Mission Critical
Burns & McDonnell

John Gross (bio)
Owner
J.M. Gross Engineering

Trenton Thornock (bio)
Owner
Wyoming Hyperscale Whitebox

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch & Networking

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Water Champions: On a Mission to Operate the Most Water Efficient Data Centers

Water is a finite resource, and every drop matters. Thanks to a design philosophy that has focused on efficiency, Meta continues to design and operate some of the most energy and water efficient data centers in the world. With a pledge to be water positive by 2030, Meta has maintained a relentless focus on identifying ways to improve water efficiency, be good water stewards while also ensuring business continuity. Join Meta as they discuss optimization and water efficiency innovation, best practices and lessons learned.

Bharath Gopal (bio)
Data Center Facilities Engineering, Chemical Engineer
Meta

James Monahan (bio)
Data Center Facilities Engineering, Director
Meta

Krishna Somayajula (bio)
Data Center Facilities Engineering, Lead Mechanical Engineer
Meta

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Refreshment Break

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Concurrent Breakout sessions

Breakout A:
The End of Diesel in the Data Center

Green power usage in data centers continues to rise. However, reducing CO2 and other gas pollutants also requires an alternative fuel to maintain operations during service interrupting power incidents. This presentation will discuss how Compass Datacenters and Foster Fuels are combining to use biodegradable diesel fuel, or HVO, rather than traditional diesel, to power Compass’ on-site generators. Presenters will discuss topics such as HVO’s attributes, emissions impact on generator operations, and future HVO use in the data center industry.

Cheryl Cohen (bio)
VP, Head of Engineering and Commissioning Center of Excellence
Compass Datacenters

Wayne Watson (bio)
US Director of Operations
Compass Datacenters

Scott Worley (bio)
Director of Business Development
Foster Fuels

Breakout B:
Greening the Future Data Center Infrastructure via Aeroderivative Technology and Microgrid Controls

The Data Center industry is going through a massive growth pattern due to cloud computing transformation, hyperscale, 5G networks and other socioeconomic changes. This technological evolution introduces challenges to the Data Center's terms of sustainability, cost and reliable operation. Supporting this growth is challenged by the energy needed to continue operations, and in some cases utilities are facing challenges to meet Data Center demands. The reliance on backup power from high-speed diesel generator sets doesn’t make the “status quo” sustainable with the anticipated growth, increasing costs of fossil fuels, and corporate sustainability targets combined with legislation. This paper demonstrates the expansion sustainable efficiency efforts by challenging standard design practices with more efficient, reliable and sustainable alternatives.

Steve Halford (bio)
Microgrid Leader
GE Grid Solutions

Breakout C:
Safety Considerations for Lithium-ion batteries in Data Center UPS & Energy Storage Systems

Fire safety experts experienced with NFPA standards and fire protection solutions will discuss Li-ion Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and UPS deployments in Data Center environments. The presentation will provide an overview of risks, challenges, design approaches, technologies available, code requirements, and issues for various stakeholders to consider for deployments. Speakers include a senior engineer from a fire protection engineering firm and a senior product manager from a fire safety equipment manufacturer. Participants will learn how to consider fire safety solution options and plan for evaluating and implementing Li-ion battery solutions in Data Center environments today and going forward as new data center needs, technologies, and solutions evolve.

Wayne Aho (bio)
Senior Product Manager – Fire Detection Products
Siemens – Smart Infrastructure

Ali Ashrafi, PhD, PE (bio)
Principal
Thornton Tomasetti

6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Sponsored Event
Vintage Western Carnival

Get ready to be transported to a carnival back in time with nods to western activities. Step right up and use your strong arm at the antique carnival booths as you play to win… customize your own bandana, or curate your personal leather accessory while cigar rollers and shoe shiners, offer true western experiences. Poker tables and western games will be mixed in among rustic wooden and barrel top tables. There is no doubt that what lays down this road will be both a windmill and an oil well as we deliver the best place to unwind and kick it up for the last evening of the 2022 Fall Conference.

Special thanks to the partners that made this event possible:

ABB; Alterman; Atkore Unistrut Construction; Armstrong Ceiling Solutions; Belimo; Burns & McDonnell; Cadence; Carrier; Caterpillar; Chem-Aqua; Clayco; CNet Training; Cummins; Danfoss; Distributed Power Solutions; DPR Construction; East Penn Manufacturing; Eaton; Enchanted Rock Solutions; EnerSys; Fibrebond; Gerchamp; Gordon Architectural & Engineered Solutions; Hitachi Energy; JE Dunn Construction Company; Interstates; KatalystDI; Kelvion; Kiewit; Kohler; LANTANA by Project Frog; Legrand; Maddox Industrial Transformer; MMR Group; Mortenson Construction; MTU-A Rolls-Royce Solution; Natron Energy; Optimal Power Solutions; PowerSecure; Ramboll; RLE Technologies; Rovisys Building Technologies; S&C Electric Company; Safety Power; Schneider Electric; Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories; Siemens; Solar Turbines; Soprema; Southwire; Stored Energy Systems; STULZ USA; Suffolk Construction; Sunbelt Rental; Syska Hennessy Group; Toshiba Power Electronics; Trane Commercial North America; Transhield; United Rentals; Utility Innovation Group; Victaulic; The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company; and ZincFive

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Opening Remarks

Opening Remarks Bob Cassiliano will review highlights from day two and address housekeeping items of interest.

8:45 AM – 9:45 AM
Wednesday Keynote:
Data Centers are Irresponsible Energy Hogs and Other Myths

The data center industry has historically operated quietly as a behind-the-scenes platform for human progress. The positive impact of data centers on humanity is evident and reflected in the astonishing growth rate of our industry. In recent years, however, the spotlight on data centers has turned negative. Media, governments, and communities increasingly portray our industry as unsustainable, socially irresponsible energy hogs. Are these attacks on our industry warranted? Should our growth be restrained or set free to meet demand? This presentation makes a case for accelerating growth and offers an optimistic view of our industry as a model of sustainability and social responsibility. Specifically, this session will cover the latest findings from new "State of the Data Center" studies; examples that illustrate the tremendous efficiency gains data center have made in the face of unrelenting market demand for growth; and the data center "digital twin." Is it real?

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
Refreshment Break

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Sustainability and Reliability - The Business Case for Backing Up Data Center Power with Emissions in Mind

As the demand for powerful data centers continues to grow, the climate crisis has made clear the need to reduce emissions while also building resiliency against grid outages. This session will review a business case for one company’s decision to pursue a renewable microgrid, including considerations of reliability, cost, and emission reductions. Attendees will learn how data centers can make use of net-zero carbon backup generation to ensure operational continuity, opening the door for a new standard.

Paul Froutan (bio)
Chief Technology Officer
Enchanted Rock

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
The Future of Data Centers: Perspectives from the Standards Developers and Stakeholders

Data center standards are evolving to keep up with the technology inside them, and also the customer behavior shifts, the new regulations, and business objectives. Current data center owners and operators are working to address challenges like reducing their carbon footprint and scarce resource management while also working to increase reliability for mission-critical services and deliver real-time optimization of the data center infrastructure performance. The combination of all these goals and requirements is driving a major shift in the way data centers are built, monitored, operated, powered, and cooled. This panel will discuss the impact of this evolution from various perspectives of a data center designer, a data center owner, and a data center auditor to give the audience a diverse range of views from different data center stakeholders.

Moderator:
Jacques Fluet (bio)
Director, Data Center Program
Telecommunications Industry Association

Panelists:
Joseba Calvo (bio)
Managing Partner
EPI Americas

Marc Cram (bio)
Director, New Market Development, Data Center Power & Control
Legrand

Tony Grayson (bio)
General Manager
Compass Quantum

12:15 PM
Conference Adjourns