Abstract
By 2027, AI-optimized servers will require 500 terawatt-hours of power annually — more than doubling today’s consumption. That’s equivalent to the power usage of entire nations.
Industry analysts predict 40% of data centers will face severe power constraints within three years, and some regions are already turning away new projects.
The reality? Utility providers can’t expand capacity fast enough. The traditional approach of packing data centers into dense regions has created unsustainable hot spots, pushing local power grids to their breaking point.
It’s time to rethink how we connect computing to power. Power must come first: Transforming how computing and energy connect.
By replacing glass with air with Hollow Core Fiber (HCF), this technology enables data to move nearly 50% faster, addressing the critical power and scaling challenges of today.
Biography
Rich Baca is the Vice President of Business & Product Development at Relativity Networks where he is responsible for data center fiber optic architecture and novel optical solutions. His current focus is building partnerships to develop Hollow Core Fiber optimized solutions and solving customers’ pain points with HCF cable and components. Rich directs innovation / ideation sessions to develop novel products in support of exponential AI data center growth.
Prior to his work at Relativity Networks, Rich was a Senior Optics Hardware Engineer at Microsoft where he was responsible for new optical solutions for the server and improved architectures. Rich has over 30 years’ experience working with electromagnetics/laser simulation, microwave photonics & MMIC design, high-speed digital optical design working at various companies such as Texas Instruments, Raytheon, Finisar, Tellabs, CommScope and other startups along the way. His interests are in optics for the data center including novel fiber optic connectors. He has a PhD from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.
