#314 Decentralized Power: Fueling the AI Revolution

In this episode, we welcome Edward Fitzpatrick, CEO of Conflow Power, to discuss the revolutionary "iLamp." Edward explains how he is transforming the humble street light from a "dumb," single-use utility into a smart, multi-functional device likening the shift to the evolution from a simple watch to a smartphone. He details the groundbreaking battery technology behind it, which allows these lamps to function off-grid by harvesting ambient energy, effectively creating a self-sustaining power source on every street corner.

The conversation expands into the critical intersection of energy and Artificial Intelligence. Edward introduces the concept of "AI Factories"—off-grid data centers powered entirely by renewable sources. He argues that as AI's power consumption skyrockets, the traditional grid cannot cope, necessitating a move to decentralized power solutions that can rejuvenate rural areas and farms while supporting the next generation of computing without environmental cost.

Finally, Edward highlights the immense educational potential of this technology, inviting schools and universities to witness these innovations firsthand at their site in Warwickshire. He believes that seeing "live physics" and tangible coding applications can inspire a new generation of engineers. You can learn more about these projects at ilamp.com, conflowpower.com, and aifactories.com