AI, Data Centers, and the Infrastructure Needed to Power Them | a16z
a16z Deep Dives · 2026-03-31 · 48 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n5xlfRLw3cVideo summary
Radiant’s Doug Bernauer and Heron’s Drew Baglino say grid delivery—not new power—is the bottleneck as data centers drive demand.
a16z partners Erin Price-Wright and Erik Torenberg talk with Radiant CEO Doug Bernauer and Heron CEO Drew Baglino about rebuilding U.S. energy infrastructure. Baglino says electricity demand is accelerating across AI, transport, and industry, while transmission and delivery—not generation—are the main grid bottlenecks. Bernauer says Radiant is developing a trailer-sized, one-megawatt microreactor that could power an off-grid site within 48 hours and run for five years; the company aims to manufacture reactors as products rather than build megaprojects. Baglino describes Heron Link, a modular, five-megawatt solid-state transformer, and argues software-enabled power electronics can make the grid more flexible. They also discuss modular manufacturing, nuclear fuel and waste hurdles, and how data centers that remain online and use power steadily could stabilize the grid and lower average electricity costs.
Chapters
- 0:00Introduction: Grid delivery bottlenecks and the guests’ Hyperloop connection
- 3:42Why Radiant Exists: Mars power needs led Doug Bernauer from solar to microreactors
- 6:01Why Heron Exists: Tesla’s global electrification study exposed the grid innovation gap
- 8:48Demand Surge Explained: AI demand exposes grid delivery limits and drives decentralized power
- 14:30Nuclear Progress and Hurdles: Radiant targets full-power testing in 2026 and weekly production
- 18:43Heron Link Explained: 5-megawatt modular transformer connects DC sources to 34,000-volt AC
- 23:20Heron Link Explained: DC Microgrids and a 40-Gigawatt Factory
- 29:01Nuclear as a Product: Radiant’s Removable Reactors and Tennessee Site
- 34:57Where Microreactors Fit: Off-Grid Markets with Diesel at $6.50 per Gallon
- 38:45Where Microreactors Fit: Waste Storage and Power-Electronics Supply Chains
- 44:07Data Centers and the Grid: 2 Gigawatts Disconnected in Virginia, Delivery Is the Bottleneck
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