Can AI revolutionize EPC?

December 11, 2025

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

The Format: This episode features a host-led interview with an emphasis on discussing industry challenges and innovative solutions within the clean energy sector. The tone is insightful and technical, yet accessible, making it suitable for both industry professionals and curious listeners.
The Key Players:
- Shale Kahn: Host and leader at Energy Impact Partners, guiding the conversation with expertise and focus on the clean energy transition.
- Alex Modon: CEO and co-founder of Unlimited Industries, a startup aiming to revolutionize the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) industry using modern technology.

🗝️ Key Themes & Topics

EPC Challenges: The episode delves into the misalignment of incentives in the EPC industry, where contractors profit from delays and cost overruns, leading to inefficiencies in project completion.
Modern Technology in Construction: Alex discusses leveraging AI and software solutions to streamline the design and procurement processes, aiming to reduce time, costs, and risks associated with large projects.
Data Center Construction: A particular focus is directed toward the challenges of building data centers, highlighting the urgency and complexity involved in meeting the surge in electricity demand.
Innovative Business Models: The conversa

Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.

Read Full Summary →

Free • No credit card required

Listen to Audio Summary Open in App

What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **🎙️ Introduction: Alex Modon**
2 (00:43) **The Flaws in EPC Incentive Structures**
3 (03:47) **Understanding the EPC Process**
4 (04:56) **Problems with Current EPC Models**
5 (09:00) **Complexity of Projects and Risk Factors**
6 (11:34) **Inefficiencies in the Engineering Process**
7 (14:14) **Potential for Cost Reduction in EPC**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Big construction projects in the U.S. are notoriously unpredictable, often finishing over budget and behind schedule. Part of the problem is the inherent complexity of these kinds of projects, like data centers and first-of-a-kind plants. But there’s another problem: the companies that actually build these projects — called EPC firms for engineering, procurement, and construction — often lack strong incentives to control costs or deliver on time.

That’s the thesis behind Unlimited Industries, a new startup focused on using AI to develop multiple project designs upfront and reduce project risks. So what would it take to actually cut costs and shorten construction timelines?

In this episode, Shayle talks to Alex Modon, co-founder and CEO of Unlimited Industries. The company recently announced a $12 million fundraise as it emerged from stealth. Shayle and Alex cover topics like:

How EPC incentives and contract structures drive cost overruns

Why bespoke projects prevent learning and standardization

The role software and AI can play in design and risk reduction EPC

Managing risks – including geopolitics, contractor reliability, and supply chains

Resources:

Catalyst: FOAK tales

The Green Blueprint: Shortening the nuclear development cycle from decades to years

Catalyst: The cost of nuclear

Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Daniel Woldorff. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor.

Catalyst is brought to you by EnergyHub. EnergyHub helps utilities build next-generation virtual power plants that unlock reliable flexibility at every level of the grid. See how EnergyHub helps unlock the power of flexibility at scale, and deliver more value through cross-DER dispatch with their leading Edge DERMS platform, by visiting energyhub.com.

Catalyst is brought to you by Bloom Energy. AI data centers can’t wait years for grid power—and with Bloom Energy’s fuel cells, they don’t have to. Bloom Energy delivers affordable, always-on, ultra-reliable onsite power, built for chipmakers, hyperscalers, and data center leaders looking to power their operations at AI speed. Learn more by visiting BloomEnergy.com.