UtilityInnovation Group Welcomes Jon Rodriguez as Head of Energy Solutions for Data Centers

UtilityInnovation Group Welcomes Jon Rodriguez as President of Energy Centers

UtilityInnovation Group (UIG) recently made headlines with the announcement of Jon Rodriguez's appointment as the President of its Energy Centers division. This strategic move comes in response to the surging demand for power solutions associated with the rapid expansion of data centers across North America and Europe. As artificial intelligence (AI) and high-density computing applications transform the energy landscape, UIG is poised to lead the charge with innovative solutions tailored to these evolving requirements.

Rodriguez's primary responsibility will be to enhance UIG's already commendable offerings in energy systems designed specifically for data centers. The company's Energy Centers solutions aim to improve development readiness, operational flexibility, and resilience—imperative factors for organizations striving to stay ahead in a highly competitive market. With the appointment of Rodriguez, UIG is set to accelerate its deployment of these critical power solutions that are essential for the business growth and sustainability of data center operators.

A key highlight of UIG's advancement in this sector is its proprietary Energy Storage for Resiliency (ESR)® and GridSure® platforms. ESR® is designed to bolster power stability in Energy Centers, tackling challenges posed by energy-intensive applications like AI workloads. Simultaneously, the GridSure® platform simplifies asset management and enhances the resilience and reliability of crucial data center operations. Together, these state-of-the-art technologies ensure that UIG's offerings remain scalable, intelligent, and secure as clients navigate the unprecedented demands of AI infrastructure growth.

Jon Rodriguez is no stranger to the energy sector. With over 20 years of experience in utility-scale power plant development, design, construction, and operations, Rodriguez's background positions him as an invaluable asset to UIG. Before joining UIG, he played a leadership role in Wärtsilä Energy's North American branch, where he concentrated on developing large-scale reciprocating engine (RICE) power plant solutions suitable for both utilities and data centers. His extensive experience also includes the development of behind-the-meter generation solutions, covering demand response, capacity management, and resiliency strategies tailored to industrial, retail, and data center clients.

Holding a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, Rodriguez is a licensed Professional Engineer. He expressed enthusiasm about stepping into his new role at UIG, stating, "Taking on the role as President of Energy Centers at UIG is an extremely exciting opportunity—one that includes working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the data center industry to enable Energy Center solutions and building practices that support the rapid implementation and expansion of grid capacity and flexibility." Rodriguez emphasized the importance of developing solutions that prioritize resiliency and utilize leading-edge technology, a critical factor in supporting data center growth.

Derek Tugwell, President and Co-founder of UIG, praised Rodriguez's industry expertise, stating, "Jon's experience leading the commercialization of utility-scale power plants will be instrumental in UIG's growth in the global Energy Center market. His leadership and expertise will accelerate our ability to deliver innovation at scale, supporting the demands of AI-driven data centers, utilities, and other large energy users. We're excited to welcome him to our team."

As UIG continues to focus on developing advanced solutions for the energy sector, the appointment of Jon Rodriguez marks a significant step forward in achieving their mission. The reshaping of energy solutions for data centers is not only vital for responding to current demands but also essential in paving the way for the future of the energy industry as a whole. With Rodriguez at the helm of Energy Centers, UIG stands poised to meet the challenges ahead and further solidify its standing as a leader in the energy landscape.

For additional details about UtilityInnovation Group and its offerings, please visit www.UIG.com.