Individual challenge

Keep the
Lights On

11 questions. 100 points. Answer individually after the presentation.

Context. You are advising on the power strategy for a new AI data center. Every decision has consequences.
No hints. Read each option carefully. Feedback and correct answers are revealed in the debrief.
Fair play. The options are shown without hints. Some are serious, some are lighter, but they all use the same visual style.

Question 1 of 11 0%

Your name

First name or initials only.

Acronyms

Neutral definitions only. No help is given on which answer to choose.

AIArtificial Intelligence

DCData Center

PPAPower Purchase Agreement

UPSUninterruptible Power Supply

BESSBattery Energy Storage System

ESGEnvironmental, Social and Governance

FIDFinal Investment Decision

CAPEXCapital Expenditure

24/724 hours a day, 7 days a week

Question 1 · Site strategy

Where should CloudAI Corp build?

Spain United Kingdom Ireland Germany / Belgium Sahara Desert — unlimited solar, zero neighbours, what could go wrong?

Question 2 · Tier classification

A hyperscaler client requires Tier 4. Your site partner is currently Tier 3. What do you recommend?

Assess the regulatory and cost path to Tier 3+ or Tier 4, and present it as a medium-term roadmap Proceed as Tier 3 — hyperscalers will adapt once the energy offer is strong enough Find a Tier 4 colocation partner to host the hyperscaler while your site matures Drop this client and focus on smaller Tier 1–2 customers instead Rebrand the site as "Tier 4 Ready™" and update the brochure. Nobody checks.

Question 3 · Energy sourcing

Which energy model do you propose for a critical 24/7 facility?

Standard Renewable PPA Sleeved PPA + Grid Supply Private Wire PPA Hybrid / Clean Firm Power A thousand hamsters on wheels. Renewable, firm, and very 24/7. Great PR too.

Question 4 · Grid connection

What is the fastest credible connection route?

Existing substation capacity + phased ramp-up Co-located renewable plant + private wire + grid backup Wait for the full new grid connection before launching Secure the renewable PPA first and solve grid access later Very long extension cord from the nearest substation. Works in theory. Mostly.

Question 5 · Redundancy

What is your redundancy design?

Two independent power paths + UPS + BESS + backup generators One grid path + UPS + backup generators One grid path + BESS only One grid connection only Cross your fingers. The grid rarely goes down. Probably. We think.

Question 6 · Firm 24/7 supply

How do you make the supply low-carbon and firm?

Solar + wind + BESS + grid supply + emergency biofuel-ready generators Solar-only renewable PPA Grid electricity + annual renewable certificates Diesel generators as regular power supply Solar by day, scented candles by night. Carbon neutral. Servers less so.

Question 7 · Bankability

Which contract package is most bankable?

Long-term take-or-pay + parent guarantee + step-in rights + export option Standard PPA only Non-binding letter of intent Merchant asset relying on future spot sales A handshake and a gentleman's word. The banks will absolutely love it.

Question 8 · ESG & acceptance

How do you manage water use and local acceptance?

Low-water cooling + early stakeholder engagement + local benefits + transparent reporting Generic communication after permits are filed No local engagement plan Water-intensive cooling in a water-stressed area Sponsor the local football club, then hope nobody reads the planning application.

Question 9 · Investment decision

A data center developer wants to co-locate with your solar project, but won't commit to an energy contract until 2 years before their opening — which is 5 years away. You need a FID soon. What do you do?

Wait for the data center to commit before taking any FID — no offtaker, no project Negotiate an option payment or exclusivity fee from the DC developer to cover essential early capex Take FID unilaterally and sell power on the merchant market until the DC is ready Abandon the co-location strategy and find a traditional utility offtaker instead Build a beautiful 40-slide deck about the opportunity and let leadership decide. Your job here is done.

Question 10 · Crisis card

Select one crisis scenario

Select one crisis card, then choose one response.

Question 11 · Crisis response

Choose your response

← Select a crisis scenario above first.

Submit your result

Answer all 11 questions before submitting.

out of 100 points

Reliability

—/30

Speed-to-power

—/20

Low-carbon supply

—/20

Risk management

—/20

Detailed feedback is revealed in the debrief after submission.

Keep theLights On

Keep the
Lights On