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Industry

Sustainable Digital Infrastructure

Company Type

Developer and Operator of Datacenters for HPC/AI Compute

Size

Approximately $177 Million in Tranches

Investment Type

Equity/Debt/Hybrid

For additional information, please contact:
Vikas Garg | Managing Director
(646) 770-1350

Overview

 

Net Zero Compute Inc. (NZC), a US C-Corp, is seeking approximately $177 million equity and debt in tranches, to launch a truly carbon-neutral data-center to offer AI and high-performance compute (HPC) as a product

  • Phase 1: Norway
  • Strategic collaborations: IBM, NVIDIA and Supermicro
  • Existing assets: IP + 15k SF building with 2MW power and 25 MW capacity
  • Funds to acquire: HPC equipment and a 250k SF building with 45 MW power and 100 MW capacity
  • Tranche 1: ~$47 million

 

  • Projections:     EBITDA | # of GPUs | NZC Compute
    • Year 1:    $ 24MM | 2k GPUs | 5 MW
    • Year 3:   $446MM | 16k GPUs | 39 MW
    • Year 5:   $1.68BB | 54k GPUs | 131 MW

Problem

 

The data-center industry is facing several key challenges:

  • Shortage of power
  • Legacy designs result in unsustainable waste of energy and water
  • Long lead times to build new infrastructure for energy and related approvals
  • Rising sustainability targets, coupled with increasingly transparent reporting standards, will make the current data center model harder to justify

Opportunity

 

 

  • As electricity efficiency improvements plateau and the AI revolution accelerates, data center power demand is expected to triple by 2030 1,2.
  • This surge will significantly challenge access to reliable energy while complicating efforts to meet sustainability targets
  • The first half of 2024 set a record for the largest value, area, and number of data center construction project starts since 2008 3
  • From 2020 to 2022, real emissions from data centers owned by Google, Microsoft, Meta and Apple were likely more than 7X higher than officially reported4 – this was before the rise of AI
  • The Carbon-neutral data center market is expanding rapidly, with projections reaching $16.5 billion in revenue by 2027, up from $5.02 billion in 2021, a CAGR of ~22%5

1)https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-releases-new-report-evaluating-increase-electricity-demand-data-centers

2)https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/how-data-centers-and-the-energy-sector-can-sate-ais-hunger-for-power

3)https://www.construction.com/blog/the-expansion-explosion-insights-into-the-data-center-construction-boom/

4)https://amp.theguardian.com/technology/2024/sep/15/data-center-gas-emissions-tech

5)https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-carbon-neutral-data-center-market-to-reach-16-53-billion-by-2027–bis-research-study-301608415.html

Solution

 

Net Zero Compute integrates proven processes for a holistic solution:

    • Transforming data centers into energy producers by capturing heat to create bio-energy
    • Energy production begins after 5 MW of compute is installed
    • Closed-loop thermal management systems minimize energy demand and water usage
    • Modular design repurposes existing buildings, reducing costs, lead times, and carbon footprints compared to new construction
    • Advanced tracking software ensures auditable emissions reporting for net- zero certification

Management

Tommy Varhaugvik, CEO

  • Strategic leader in technology and sustainability initiatives
  • Proven track record of managing complex tech projects successfully, delivering results on time and within budget while utilizing project management tools. Projects include: SPARK, Keychaine, Data migration to new platform in Danske Bank
  • Actively participates in local initiatives, often using technology to promote education and environmental causes
  • Degrees in business management and sustainability, well-equipped to navigate modern business challenges.

Patrick Butler, Co-Founder, Chairman and Interim CFO

  • Founder and Managing Director at Calitor Ltd (UK): a consultancy providing leading edge Business and Financial Strategy formulation and transformation, to meet value creation, risk management and sustainability goals. Clients include Barclays Bank, Total Energies, Natixis UK, Commerzbank, RBS (now Natwest), FinTrU.
  • Head of GRC and Board Adviser at CLOWD9 – a cloud native decentralized issuer processing platform for real-time payments that is disrupting the payments processing industry
  • Former Head of Compliance at BAML; former Investment Banker, and Operating Officer at HSBC; former British Diplomat (Far East specialist)
  • INSEAD MBA and BSc

Jan Mathisen, Founder and CTO

  • Seasoned Technology Entrepreneur and Engineer
  • Data Center Expertise: Designed and built efficient, scalable data centers for Norwegian telecom operators and developed a data center strategy for the GCC region in collaboration with the Bahraini government
  • Established a nationwide wireless broadband operator with utility partnerships, achieving broad market penetration
  • Semiconductor Innovation: Directed the development of a CMOS 90nm chip with TSMC and Photobit, later acquired by Micron in 2001
  • Sustainable Technology Pioneer: Founded the Spark Project (now Net Zero Compute) to create zero-emissions data centers in collaboration with NOKIA Bell Labs and other leaders.

Specific Risks

 

Energy Supply Risks

  • Reliability of Renewable Energy: Data centers in Northern Europe often rely on renewable energy sources like hydropower. However, fluctuating weather patterns due to climate change could impact the reliability of hydropower, especially in dry years when water levels are low
  • Grid Dependency and Stability: An increased concentration of data centers in specific regions could strain local grids. This raises concerns about grid stability, especially when data centers require substantial amounts of electricity for both operation and cooling

Regulatory and Policy Risks

  • Stringent Environmental Regulations: The European Union’s regulatory landscape is becoming increasingly stringent regarding environmental standards, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive. Data centers must ensure compliance with evolving regulations, which may require significant investment in monitoring and reporting systems
  • Uncertain Policy Changes: Future changes in environmental policies or energy tariffs could pose risks. For example, incentives for renewable energy or carbon reduction may change, impacting cost structures and profitability.

Technological and Operational Risks

  • Dependency on Cutting-Edge Technology: To achieve net zero, data centers must adopt advanced technologies such as AI-driven cooling systems, energy-efficient server designs, and real-time monitoring tools. These technologies are often in the nascent stages of development and may have unforeseen operational challenges.
  • High Capital Expenditure: The transition to net zero often requires significant upfront capital investment in green technology, infrastructure, and renewable energy contracts. If these investments do not yield the expected energy savings or efficiencies, there could be financial losses.

Supply Chain Risks

  • Limited Access to Green Equipment and Materials: The demand for energy-efficient hardware and sustainable construction materials is rising. However, supply chain disruptions, as witnessed during global crises, can impact the availability and cost of such equipment and materials
  • Dependence on Local Suppliers: Northern European countries might face challenges due to dependence on local suppliers for specialized equipment or renewable energy resources, which could lead to delays or increased costs if local markets are disrupted

Geopolitical and Strategic Risks

  • Geopolitical Tensions: Northern Europe, while generally stable, could be indirectly affected by broader geopolitical dynamics, such as energy supply constraints caused by conflicts that impact European energy markets.
  • Energy Import Risks: Although Northern Europe largely relies on local renewable resources, any future need for supplemental energy imports could expose data centers to geopolitical risks if the energy comes from politically unstable regions.

Climate and Environmental Risks

  • Impact of Climate Change: Even though Northern Europe is less susceptible to extreme weather events than other regions, it is not immune to the impacts of climate change. Changes in water availability for hydropower, increased temperatures affecting cooling efficiency, and potential flooding risks due to changing weather patterns are notable concerns.
Learn More About Net Zero Compute

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