GridFree AI revealed its first operational site, marking a new approach to powering high-density artificial intelligence workloads without relying on traditional utility grids. With the launch, grid-independent data center infrastructure moves to the center of GridFree AI’s development strategy. The company formally introduced South Dallas One, its inaugural Power Foundry™ site in Hill County, Texas, located about one hour south of Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport.
Simultaneously, GridFree AI announced a strategic partnership with Newmark. The firm will serve as the exclusive advisor and marketing representative for the project. Together, the companies aim to position South Dallas One as a large-scale, AI-ready example of grid-independent infrastructure.
South Dallas Cluster Targets Nearly 5 GW of Grid-Independent Capacity
South Dallas One marks the first phase of GridFree AI’s planned South Dallas Cluster. The cluster includes three sites designed to deliver nearly 5 gigawatts of cumulative gross power capacity. Each site exceeds 1.5 gigawatts, aligning with current hyperscale AI requirements.
In addition, the cluster prioritizes high-density compute, energy resilience, and faster delivery schedules. Because the sites operate outside traditional grids, interconnection delays and transmission bottlenecks are avoided. As a result, grid-independent data center infrastructure is gaining traction as an alternative to legacy models.
Veteran Energy Leadership Shapes Grid-Independent Data Center Infrastructure
GridFree AI’s strategy reflects deep experience across energy and infrastructure development. The leadership team brings more than 100 years of combined operating experience in power markets and capital-intensive projects.
Chief Executive Officer Ralph Alexander previously led Talen Energy as Chairman and CEO, overseeing natural gas and nuclear generation assets. Chief Commercial Officer Loren Long and Chief Operating Officer Mark Coscio have managed more than $100 billion in deployed capital. Together, the team positions GridFree AI among the most experienced developers of next-generation computational infrastructure in the U.S.
Power Foundry™ Reframes Energy Delivery for AI Data Centers
At the center of GridFree AI’s model is the Power Foundry™, a self-contained power and cooling platform. The system operates independently of local electrical grids, reducing pressure on public infrastructure.
Power Foundry™ deployments can reach operational readiness in under 24 months from lease signing. This timeline significantly shortens time-to-power compared with grid-connected projects. The platform also relies on American-produced natural gas, which stabilizes supply and limits exposure to price volatility.
The system targets 5×9 availability, or 99.999% uptime. Industrial-grade chilled water cooling supports modern AI workloads without straining local utilities. This structure allows hyperscalers to expand capacity without raising electricity costs for nearby communities.
Market Demand Aligns With Grid-Independent Data Center Infrastructure
As AI infrastructure demand accelerates, site selection priorities continue to shift. Developers now evaluate speed to power, reliability, and long-term energy stability together.
Newmark said GridFree AI’s grid-independent data center infrastructure meets all three criteria. The firm described South Dallas One as one of the most compelling AI-ready development opportunities in the U.S., citing its scale, delivery timeline, and insulation from grid constraints.
Location Strengthens Long-Term AI Deployment Strategy
South Dallas One also benefits from its location. The site connects directly to robust natural gas infrastructure, enabling scalable Power Foundry™ deployments.
At the same time, proximity to the Dallas–Fort Worth metro places customers near a major technology, logistics, and enterprise hub. The region supports dense compute operations, while the site’s large footprint enables phased expansion. Together, these factors reinforce South Dallas One’s role as a foundation for grid-independent data center infrastructure built for next-generation AI workloads.
