Events

Datacenters: Powering the AI Revolution

When
October 20, 2026
5:30 - 8:00 PM

Where
Online or at the CIC in Cambridge, MA
One Broadway (5th Floor - Havana Room)
Cambridge, MA 02142

Energy, Infrastructure, and Innovation for the Next Generation

The explosive growth of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and hyperscale datacenters is reshaping the technology landscape—and placing unprecedented demands on energy infrastructure, power delivery, cooling systems, and sustainability initiatives.

Join us on October 20, 2026, Online or at the Cambridge Innovation Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for an engaging evening of networking and expert discussion focused on the critical challenges and opportunities emerging at the intersection of computing power and energy innovation.

Hosted and moderated by Ron Demsher and Keith Wood of Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds, this panel discussion will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and technical experts to examine how organizations are preparing for the next wave of AI-driven infrastructure growth.

Topics will include:

• Expanding grid capacity to support the rapidly increasing energy demands of AI and hyperscale datacenters
• Addressing the unique power requirements of large-scale computing facilities
• Balancing datacenter expansion with decarbonization and sustainability objectives
• Emerging cooling technologies for high-density computing environments
• Designing, deploying, and operating independent microgrids
• Safely and efficiently delivering massive electrical currents from power sources to computing racks
• The growing role of energy storage in supporting concentrated compute power and enhancing grid resilience

Whether you are involved in energy, datacenter development, advanced computing, infrastructure planning, investment, or innovation strategy, this discussion will provide valuable insights into the technologies and policies shaping the future of digital infrastructure.

Agenda

5:30 PM - 6:15 PM: Networking - Light dinner and refreshments
Networking and refreshments before the talk for attendees joining in person at the CIC.

6:15 PM - 7:30 PM: Panel Discussion - In Person and Online
Virtual guests please join at 6:15 PM.

7:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Networking and Continued Discussion

Panelists

Christopher Bencal
President at FDE Hydro

Chris serves as the President of FDE Hydro providing leadership and experience in developing and capturing new business opportunities involving modular precast civil construction solutions in the hydropower industry.

Prior to joining FDE Hydro he served in senior business development executive roles at Raytheon and Battelle Memorial Institute focused on advanced technology development growth and account management on contracted research and development programs. He specializes in driving transition of disruptive technologies to existing platforms and markets.

He proudly served in the US Navy as a combat naval aviator and joint acquisition professional serving 24 years in progressive leadership roles. During military service, he deployed around the world on multiple assignments and retired as a Commander from the US Navy at US Special Operations Command in 2006.
 

C. Michael Hoff
TeraStor

C. Michael Hoff has over thirty-five years of experience in the power and energy storage industries, working for a utility, several private sector companies and his own consultancy. At these companies he worked various roles as systems engineer, CTO, VP Research, Directors of Applications Engineering, Safety and Compliance, and Engineering, as well as independent consultant.

His expertise in batteries, power conversion, safety and controls comes from many years of applied product research and his active participation in engineering and product development. Michael has written and co-written over a dozen patents, and many technical articles including a book on energy storage. He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University and BSEE degree from Drexel University.
 

Steve Doyle
Partner at TCF Law

Steve is an accomplished lawyer and businessman who has practiced law for over 35 years. He has been a partner in leading law firms, general counsel and international counsel to public and private companies, and COO, chief strategy officer, and member of executive teams at public companies and companies he founded, including Bank of Boston, Prime Computer, Computervision, and AspenTech. His international experience includes living and working overseas, and transactional work throughout Eastern and Western Europe, China and East Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
 

Ertan Agar, Ph.D.
Associate Professor at UMass Lowell's Department of Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Ertan Agar is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Director of the Electrochemical Energy Systems and Transport Laboratory (E2STL). He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University and completed postdoctoral research in Chemical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Agar's research focuses on developing advanced electrochemical technologies that enable a more resilient, reliable, and sustainable electric grid. His work spans grid-scale energy storage, redox flow batteries, and electrochemical technologies for industrial decarbonization. His group also investigates how long-duration energy storage and emerging energy technologies can support the rapidly growing electricity demands associated with AI, data centers, and widespread electrification while improving grid reliability and reducing carbon emissions.

Moderators