Carlos from ETAJOULE joins host Mark Smith for a conversation on how the future of data centers may be smaller, smarter, and powered by waste. Instead of relying on massive centralized facilities and strained grid connections, Carlos shares how modular microgrid-powered “Olive” data center nodes can run on solar energy, batteries, and methane captured from agricultural waste like poultry farms.

The discussion explores how distributed infrastructure can create multiple revenue streams at once—energy production, data services, fertilizer, carbon credits, and even waste heat reuse for agriculture. Carlos also breaks down why edge computing demand is accelerating, how combined-cycle systems improve efficiency, and why this model could be a practical answer to both energy transition and AI infrastructure growth.

From refrigeration optimization with AI to renewable-powered data center ecosystems, this episode looks at a new blueprint for sustainable digital infrastructure.

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Cold Open 00:45 Meet Mark and Carlos 01:12 ETAJOULE Origin Story 02:57 Why Modular Data Centers 04:19 Solar Plus Biowaste Power 08:36 Circular Plant Schematic 10:08 Solar Heat Innovation 13:22 Scaling the Olive Nodes 14:22 Project Status and Roadmap 15:54 How to Get Involved 17:00 Do Credits Matter 18:23 Wrap Up and Outro

About Carlos Fernandez-Aballi Altamirano:

Carlos has more than 15 years of experience designing and directing solar energy and sustainability solutions across industry, academia, and entrepreneurship. His expertise spans artificial intelligence process optimization, renewable energy integration, industrial energy efficiency, solar thermal systems, sustainability, and thermodynamic cycles.

He holds a Doctorate in Engineering with a specialization in Thermodynamics from the Technological University of Habana José Antonio Echeverría (UTH), with studies at Ghent University in Belgium, where he defended the basic thermodynamic principles of the Thermal Lag Engine. He also earned both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering Design from University of Bristol, focusing on absorption refrigeration systems and solar-powered thermal technologies.

Over the last five years in the U.S. solar industry, Carlos has designed and directed commercial-scale solar thermal projects across St. Croix, Dominica, and Hawaii, serving multifamily housing, luxury hotels, and military facilities. His work also includes solar thermal system recovery projects in Puerto Rico, Aruba, and Florida.

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