Who makes reciprocating engines & engine microgrids for AI data centers

Reciprocating engines are smaller, faster-to-deploy alternatives to gas turbines, packaged in modular units that can be trucked in and paired into microgrids for bridge power while a site waits on grid interconnection, or as permanent behind-the-meter generation at smaller scale. They sit alongside gensets and gas turbines (Layer 8.01) in a facility's onsite generation mix and feed the same switchgear and transformers described in Layer 7. AI-driven interconnection delays have pulled reciprocating-engine microgrids from a niche backup role into a stopgap for getting racks powered before a permanent grid connection or turbine order arrives. Investors should watch how much of this demand converts into repeat orders for engine OEMs versus staying a one-off bridge, and whether the specialist microgrid integrators can scale delivery without the engine makers disintermediating them.