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Dedicated Behind-The-Meter Power For Data Centers

Dedicated behind-the-meter power for data centers ranging from 100 MW to 300 MW. High-density liquid-cooled AI deployments can support significantly greater compute density and, in some cases, up to 400 MW of IT load within the same site footprint.

Grid power is a structural risk for data centers. Behind-the-meter generation converts that risk into dedicated infrastructure you can engineer, schedule, and contract for.

The grid was not designed for always-on, zero-tolerance digital infrastructure at modern scale. Curtailments, voltage events, and unpredictable restoration timelines translate into SLA exposure. Behind-the-meter generation converts power from a shared, stressed network into dedicated infrastructure, letting you engineer redundancy, schedule maintenance, and keep compute online when the grid falters. We size every project to your actual load shape using modular 10 MW RICE units where ramp behavior and rolling maintenance matter most, or combined-cycle gas turbines where steady high-efficiency baseload best fits the operating profile. CHP integration is available where the thermal economics justify it.

Capacity range
100–300 MW per site for traditional air-cooled deployments; up to 400 MW per site for liquid-cooled high-density compute. Both architectures (modular 10 MW RICE units or combined-cycle gas turbines) scale to the upper end.
Target delivery
Power online approximately 24 months after Notice to Proceed, subject to permitting, interconnect scope, and final engineering. Initial capacity is targeted to come online in Q3 2028.
Core operating principle
On-site generation, battery energy storage, and intelligent control systems work together to continuously balance customer demand while delivering very high reliability, power quality, and operational flexibility.

Proof Stack

Modular redundancy built for availability

The platform is designed around an N+2 reliability architecture featuring modular 10 MW RICE generation, segmented MV distribution, A/B power delivery at the POD level, UPS-backed controls, and black-start capability. This architecture supports maintenance without service interruption and eliminates single points of failure within the primary generation fleet.

Contract-backed SLA, not marketing uptime

Availability is defined at the POD and governed by clearly defined outage classifications, planned maintenance windows, exclusions, performance metrics, and contractual remedies suitable for procurement, lender, and investor diligence.

CHP available where beneficial

Combined heat and power can be added without retrofit risk - capturing waste heat for adjacent industrial, agricultural, district-heating, or campus thermal loads where utilization economics justify it.

Proof, Not Vibes

Leadership team with experience commissioning 10+ GW across large-scale power assets. See past experience →

Who Is This For

This is a fit when utility timelines, curtailment risk, or cost-allocation pressure make grid-only power a schedule or SLA liability.

  • AI, HPC, cloud, and colocation operators expanding in constrained regions where utility upgrades are the critical path
  • Programs exposed to curtailments, voltage instability, or unpredictable restoration timelines that create SLA and reputational risk
  • Operators seeking more control over redundancy and maintenance than a shared grid can provide
  • Teams facing increased scrutiny of tax abatements, water usage, and local impacts, plus pressure to fund grid upgrades directly
  • Developers who need a credible, diligence-ready power solution to win tenants and financing
  • Campuses that want a defined POD boundary and contractable performance terms instead of system-average reliability

If you need dedicated megawatts on a defined timeline, Request Capacity Availability.

You'll get a clear answer on fit, next steps, and what information we need to propose terms.

What You Get

1

Modular redundancy through 10 MW RICE units (or CCGT for steady baseload)

We design the generation block and electrical distribution around redundancy. Modular RICE topology delivers N+2 natively with no single-machine concentration - failure of one or two engines does not collapse delivery, rolling maintenance keeps the site online, and mean-time-to-repair is faster because the unit being replaced is smaller. Where steady high-efficiency baseload is the better fit, we design combined-cycle gas turbine plants instead. Both topologies are paired with segmented MV architecture and essential controls power backed by UPS and DC systems.

2

Availability that is defined, measurable, and enforceable

We structure an SLA at the POD with explicit definitions for availability, outage hours, planned maintenance, force majeure, and remedies. This turns reliability into a procurement-grade commitment instead of a marketing claim.

3

A and B demarcation at the POD

We define the technical and commercial demarcation at the POD, including voltage, protection responsibilities, metering, and routing assumptions that support A and B distribution inside the data center.

4

Fast start and load following for AI ramps

The operating plan is aligned to your load shape and ramp behavior so power delivery keeps pace with compute commissioning and tenant onboarding. Modular RICE topology is particularly well-suited to volatile AI/HPC ramp profiles because individual engines can be brought online or taken offline against actual demand.

5

CHP available where beneficial

Sites can be engineered so combined heat and power is added later without retrofit risk. For data center campuses with adjacent thermal loads - district heating, industrial steam offtake, or co-located manufacturing - this is a real path to higher total energy utilization without recommitting capital.

6

Transparent metering and settlement

Revenue-grade metering at the POD and clear settlement rules reduce billing disputes, support audits, and simplify tenant pass-through structures.

7

A credible path through permitting and community scrutiny

Noise, water, and local impacts are addressed early. Project disclosures and stakeholder engagement reduce late-stage schedule disruption. Modular RICE topology helps here too - modern enclosed RICE plants run quieter than the equivalent open-frame turbine, which materially reduces community-acceptance friction.

8

Policy and cost-allocation reality (why BTM matters now)

The political narrative is shifting from "jobs and innovation" to "data centers raise local bills," which can quickly become enforceable policy. Expect increasing pressure for mandatory pay-your-own-way grid upgrades, take-or-pay style obligations for new generation built on your behalf, scrutiny of incentives, and faster backlash around water and local impacts. BTM power reduces dependence on contested grid buildouts and gives you more control over delivery, accountability, and operating outcomes.

Note: We do not claim Uptime Institute Tier certification. Tier standards apply to data center facility topology. We provide a power supply boundary designed to support Tier III-style architectures when paired with your internal UPS and standby generation strategy.

Process + Timeline

Step 1

Share MW need, schedule, redundancy expectations, and site constraints. We confirm fit and the critical schedule drivers.

Step 2

Align on POD boundary, A and B expectations, electrical integration, architecture (modular RICE vs. CCGT), and availability measurement approach.

Step 3

Confirm permitting path, interconnect scope assumptions, and site constraints that affect schedule (noise, water, air, community requirements).

Step 4

Issue term sheet and capacity reservation with defined milestones, credit expectations, and SLA framework.

Step 5

Finalize engineering, long-lead procurement, commissioning test plan, and operational readiness program aligned to SLA reporting.

Step 6

Build, commission, and operate with defined maintenance planning, incident response, and performance reporting.

Common Questions (Data Centers)

Below are the most common questions from data center procurement, engineering, and finance teams. Each answer is framed around the specific problem it solves.

Strategy, Capacity, & Architecture

What is the maximum capacity per site, and how does liquid cooling change it?

Standard air-cooled deployments are sized 100–300 MW per site, matching the typical density envelope of conventional data centers and most local permitting baselines. Liquid-cooled high-density deployments can scale up to 400 MW per site. Liquid cooling concentrates more compute, and therefore more power demand, into a smaller physical footprint, which raises per-site MW load and unlocks the economics for a larger generation set. Both architectures (modular 10 MW RICE units or combined-cycle gas turbines) scale to the upper end; the choice is driven by ramp behavior, redundancy preference, and operating profile rather than by capacity ceiling.

Grid reliability that was never designed for always-on compute

Outages, voltage instability, curtailments, and restoration timelines create SLA exposure and reputational damage. BTM turns power into dedicated infrastructure so availability is engineered and measurable.

What about schedule risk when utility upgrades are the critical path?

BTM reduces dependence on multi-year transmission and substation upgrades. The schedule is driven by permitting, interconnect scope, and equipment lead times surfaced early.

How we handle the question of modular RICE versus CCGT

We propose architecture against your actual load shape rather than forcing one technology onto every site. Modular 10 MW RICE units are well-suited to volatile ramp profiles, phased capacity, faster mean-time-to-repair, and rolling maintenance. Combined-cycle gas turbines are well-suited to steady, high-efficiency baseload at scale. Both can integrate CHP where beneficial.

On what N+2 actually means

With modular RICE topology, N+2 means the project is designed so the site can sustain its contracted delivery even with two engines out of service, subject to defined operating conditions and agreed outage classifications. With CCGT, N+2 is achieved through redundant trains and balance-of-plant design. In both cases, N+2 is a topology, not a slogan.

Fast growth ramps for AI and HPC

We align operating protocols and capacity blocks to ramp behavior so power delivery keeps pace with compute commissioning and tenant onboarding.

Operations & Reliability

Single point failure concerns

Availability is driven by balance-of-plant and electrical topology as much as engines. Modular generation, segmented MV architecture, protection coordination, essential UPS-backed controls power, and a critical spares strategy reduce single point failures.

What about A and B feed planning at the boundary?

We define A and B demarcation expectations at the POD, including protection responsibilities, routing assumptions, and metering so your internal distribution can remain concurrently maintainable.

On planned maintenance conflict

Planned maintenance windows and notice requirements are defined in advance and coordinated around your operating calendar. Modular RICE topology supports rolling maintenance - individual engines can be serviced without taking the site offline.

What about voltage event risk that triggers IT impact?

We engineer the POD interface with appropriate MV design, protection coordination, and operating protocols aligned to your sensitivity to voltage and frequency events.

How we handle incident response uncertainty

Operational playbooks define triage, escalation, restoration targets, communications, and reporting aligned to SLA terms so your team knows what happens at 2 a.m.

On black start and restart planning

Restoration procedures are defined, and black start capability supports controlled restart after major events and predictable commissioning and re-commissioning behavior.

Spares and service lead times

Availability suffers when critical components have long replacement timelines. A critical spares and replenishment strategy is planned, aligned to vendor service response. Modular RICE engines are smaller, more interchangeable, and faster to replace than large frame turbines, which materially reduces mean time to recovery.

Curtailment exposure

Curtailment rights, settlement rules, and availability accounting are defined contractually. This is critical in constrained regions where curtailments can be frequent.

What about CHP?

Sites are engineered so combined heat and power can be added without retrofit risk. For data center campuses with adjacent thermal loads, this is a real path to higher total energy utilization later without committing capital today.

How we handle O and M credibility

Operating model, staffing expectations, maintenance planning, and reporting cadence are aligned to the SLA so reliability is backed by execution, not just design.

Cybersecurity requirements for OT systems

Optional cyber-isolated control architectures with segmentation and hardened interfaces can be tailored to hyperscaler and enterprise security standards.

What about the question of Tier III and Tier IV alignment?

Tier certification applies to the facility topology. We support Tier III-style architectures by delivering a defined POD boundary and a contractable SLA, while your UPS and standby generation strategy governs ride-through and facility-level redundancy.

Commercial, Permitting, & Diligence

How we handle the gap between marketing uptime and contractable uptime

We define an SLA at the POD with availability math, outage hour definitions, planned maintenance windows, exclusions, and remedies suitable for procurement and finance diligence.

On procurement and finance diligence gaps

We provide a clear POD boundary definition, metering approach, SLA framework, permitting plan, and milestone schedule suitable for internal approvals and lender diligence.

Billing disputes and tenant pass-through

Revenue-grade metering at the POD and transparent settlement definitions reduce invoice friction and enable audit-ready reconciliations and tenant pass-through structures.

What about fuel price volatility?

Pricing can be fixed, indexed, capped, collared, or hedged depending on how you want to allocate fuel and basis risk.

How we handle the question of who owns what risk at the POD

The POD demarcation defines equipment responsibility, protection responsibility, outage classification, and communications requirements so there is no ambiguity in performance accounting.

On expansion staging without stranding early phases

Capacity is delivered in modular 10 MW increments so you can match commitments to real tenant and compute growth timing and avoid overbuying early. Modular RICE topology makes this especially clean - additional 10 MW units are added as the load grows.

What about regulatory and political cost-allocation risk?

In many markets, data centers are increasingly framed as a driver of local rate pressure. That can become mandatory grid upgrade funding, take-or-pay obligations for new generation built on your behalf, and stricter scrutiny of incentives and local impacts. BTM reduces dependence on contested grid buildouts.

How we handle incentive and abatement scrutiny risk

We plan for higher scrutiny on incentives and local impacts. Project disclosures and stakeholder engagement are structured early to avoid late-stage schedule disruption.

On water and local impact objections

Water, noise, and community impacts are common permitting leverage points. Site design and mitigation planning address these early.

How we handle diligence friction

We provide the technical boundary, commercial structure, and milestone plan needed to move from exploratory discussions to a term sheet and defined execution path.

Closing Summary

Smartland Energy develops dedicated BTM power for data centers that need schedule certainty and higher availability in constrained regions. Our core offering is sized in modular 10 MW RICE units for fast ramp, native N+2, and rolling maintenance, with combined-cycle gas turbine architectures available where steady high-efficiency baseload best fits the operating profile. CHP is available where beneficial, with revenue-grade metering at a defined Point of Delivery, contractable availability terms, and optional cyber-isolated controls tailored to site requirements.