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AUGUST 2025 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 23 The demand and the load that we're putting on it will only increase. We need to do a lot of overbuilding; there are a lot of transmission lines that need to carry two or three times the amount of power they do now. Basically, we need to rebuild the whole grid. In addition, we've got to buy larger transformers, and the supply chain for larger transformers is years away. The demand for all types of transformers, not just large utility ones, is very high. Think of the trans- formers that are put in power distribution units within these computer rooms. Those are also two years out; the long wait times are across the scale of everything. There's certainly a craze in that appetite for AI and energy right now. People say AI will take over someday, and I say it already has. It has us jumping to build more power plants. It's the hosting companies that are making the decisions; they're just hoping to cash in. But the thing is, there's no doubt in my mind that AI is infil- trating all aspects of our lives and businesses. Will it really revolutionize things like education, medi- cine, or manufacturing? Not really any more than revolutions that happened in previous years or centuries. It accelerates the curve, though. There are certain things like genome sequencing, molecular medicine, and molecular modeling, where AI, if properly written and trained, can greatly acceler- ate the work. We'll see new vaccines, perhaps more cures for cancer. Who knows? But AI will step in and speed up those kinds of things. I agree with that. What design advice would you give to someone embarking on the new data centers today? People designing data centers now have to deal with the plumbing, which is almost more important than the actual electrical. As an electrical engineer, I can get any amount of power into any space you need me to. However, we can no longer extract that heat out of data cen- ters with air. It has to be extracted with water, which means that we're now dealing not with just an electrical connection, but a water connection to all these racks. It requires a lot of mechanical engi- neering, and there's not a lot of expertise in ways to do that. The big nut that must be cracked by data center designers is concen- trated power flow and heat flow. You need some- one who is versed in both electrical and mechani- cal engineering. Anyone in school should not be too centralized in their studies to one discipline or another, but broaden out a little and cross discipline. Mike, thank you so much. Our conversation about the current state of data centers and the power grid was insightful and enjoyable. I appreciate your thoughtful advice. Barry, thank you for the opportunity. With deep sadness, we say goodbye to Mike Mosman—an exceptional engineer and cherished friend—who passed away on August 3rd, shortly after this interview was conducted. His brilliance, kindness, and curiosity left a lasting impact. Mike's legacy lives on in our memories, our work, and our hearts. He'll be missed. PCB007