Thinking Outside the Box

Recent news articles about a proposed Vernon gas plant have stimulated much thinking.

Ever since Yankee announced closure, many wondered what, if anything would replace it.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for investors who can successfully answer that question.

The existing (and newly renovated) switchyard pictured here constitutes an “injection point” where up to a gigawatt of electricity can be supplied to the grid for distribution over already robust transmission lines to markets in New England, New York and even Canada.

But, I ask, is that the highest and best use for this resource?

If power can be supplied at that point, it can also be withdrawn.

Huh?

What could be done with such power?

One of the currently fastest growing industries is what’s called a “Data Center”.

[A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression) and various security devices. Large data centers are industrial scale operations using as much electricity as a small town. – Wikipedia]

State of the art Data Centers consume 50 to 100 Megawatts, and they need to be near a source of that energy.

This suggests that as many as 10 independent data centers could be created in Windham County (and even in
nearby Mass and NH).

The only requirement is that they be in close proximity to a transmission line.

Possible sites could include Exit 1 Industrial Park, Delta Campus, Ferry Road, Famolare Field, various sites in Vernon and even the defunct Home Depot and Fulflex properties in Brattleboro. (These are all near HV lines or substations).

Windham County could become the new Data Center Capital of the US.

Oh, did I mention “Jobs!”?