#Italy #AI Data Center #Trento #ALPS #Brian Turnbow

ALPS Appoints Brian Turnbow as Technical Director of AI

In a significant move for the future of data centers, ALPS, a startup founded in Trentino, Italy, has announced the appointment of Brian Turnbow as its Technical Director of AI. Founded in 2018, ALPS has been making strides in delivering integrated data center solutions across four continents. With its new leadership, the company looks to further enhance its capabilities in AI and high-performance computing, emphasizing sustainable practices.

Focus on Sustainable Infrastructure

One of the key challenges in developing AI infrastructures is access to energy. According to data from Terna, as of August 31, 2026, the requests for electrical connection for data centers in Italy have skyrocketed to over 100 GW from around 30 GW at the end of 2024. This surge highlights the importance of site selection and connection timelines.

ALPS's approach involves deliberately locating data centers in areas where energy is readily available, including less congested zones, to alleviate dependency on overcrowded electric grids. The company aims to integrate renewable energy sources and repurpose abandoned industrial sites by using existing connections, buildings, and other assets whenever feasible. This strategy is designed to create a more sustainable computing infrastructure, utilizing local resources and minimizing space consumption while reducing the need for new constructions.

This strategic expansion aligns with ALPS's ongoing mining operations, which continue as planned within the company’s business objectives.

Strategic Vision Under Turnbow's Leadership

In his role, Turnbow will shape ALPS’s technical strategy for AI and high-performance computing, overseeing everything from architectural evaluations to collaboration with technological and industrial partners. Italy is set to be a priority market, where ALPS intends to leverage its international expertise and collaborate closely with local engineering and industrial companies.

"Italy and Europe possess energy resources, industrial strengths, and technical expertise that we can harness," states Francesco Buffa, CEO, and co-founder of ALPS. Buffa emphasizes the company's desire to transform the energy and industrial potential of the regions they operate in into a competitive advantage, while also addressing Europe's lag in AI advancements.

Turning to Brian Turnbow, he brings to ALPS over 25 years of experience in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, having held technical positions at companies such as TWT, Unidata, and CDLAN. He is also on the board of ITNOG.

Designing the Future of AI Infrastructure

Turnbow asserts, "The infrastructure for AI begins well before deploying GPUs. Each project must start with the workloads it needs to support and the requirements of the clients, rather than just focusing on the available power. My goal is to translate these requirements into cohesive design decisions, building flexible, scalable, and sustainable computing capacity while utilizing renewable energy sources and existing assets."

About ALPS

ALPS specializes in designing, constructing, and operating data centers tailored for energy and computing-intensive applications, seamlessly combining energy expertise with engineering and operational excellence in data center management. The company’s international growth has been bolstered by a €40 million transaction with Azimut in 2023 and a €105 million club deal in 2024.

For more information on ALPS and its initiatives, please visit www.alps.it.