The Canadian data center company Virtual Grid has launched a prototype of a modular “compute node.”

The modular facility is “designed to function as both a virtual data center and a virtual power plant,” and will be deployed across Western Canada, which comprises the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

According to the company’s website, each “node” pairs a GPU-based system with a 500kWh battery system, and the latter is provided by battery energy storage system provider Moment Energy.

It also has a partnership with EV charging station company ChargeStop.

“Virtual Grid is taking a modular, distributed approach that is designed to support faster rollout, built-in redundancy, and more flexible scaling. This first prototype is an important step toward that broader network,” said COO John Hawes.

The company claims that it has 75 locations under development as per signed memoranda of understanding, which are preliminary agreements that do not typically represent a legally binding commitment.

“Sites are activated in phases based on power, connectivity, and customer demand, with Phase 1 beginning in 2027,” reads the company’s website.