Thorn and Zumtobel partner with National Data Centre Academy

Thorn and its sister brand Zumtobel, both part of the Zumtobel Group, have announced a new partnership with the National Data Centre Academy (NDCA) - a dedicated facility for hands-on training in sustainable, energy-efficient data centre operations. As Silver Sponsors of the Academy, Thorn and Zumtobel will provide high-performance lighting solutions throughout the venue, including Zumtobel's TECTON continuous-row lighting system, which is already a proven success across several critical infrastructure projects in the UK. The NDCA is seeking to redefine data centre training with immersive, real-world learning experiences. Inspired by the Eden Project and founded on a commitment to energy-efficient and sustainable IT operations, the Academy is on a mission to raise standards across the industry. John Booth, Technical Director of the NDCA, comments, "Data centres are critical infrastructure, and with this partnership, we can demonstrate exactly how world-class engineering, lighting design, and sustainability can go hand in hand. Lighting plays a crucial role in the function and aesthetic of modern data centres. With Zumtobel and Thorn's involvement, we can show what best practices look like from the moment our digital technicians enter the building." Ed Haslett, Divisional Director for Critical Facilities, Thorn and Zumtobel UK & Ireland, adds, "We're not just lighting a space - we're supporting the industry's future. Our solutions are proven in live data centre environments and now they'll help train the next generation too." This partnership builds on Thorn and Zumtobel's growing presence in the data centre sector, including projects like Kao Data, where the TECTON system was key in supporting its low PUE goals and BREEAM Excellent credentials. For more from Zumtobel, click here.

CommScope and Altnets powering the fibre takeover

As part of the UK Government’s Project Gigabit, internet service providers (ISPs) are working to upgrade the nation’s data infrastructure. As one of the UK’s leading fibre suppliers, Brighton-based Altnets has already been at the forefront of bridging the UK’s digital divide. Altnets and CommScope will accelerate these fibre rollouts, improve network resilience, and support the next phase of digital connectivity. Additionally, supplying CommScope’s products paves the way for Altnets to support the rollout of FTTX networks and central offices, which will be of key importance for the future of the nation’s economic prosperity. Paul Britnell, Co-Founder of Altnets, says, “We’re incredibly excited to support CommScope’s initiative to further support the UK telecoms sector, helping ISPs build faster and more resilient networks for the digital future. We are delivering high-density fibre connectivity solutions that are instrumental in FttX networks. Altnets is proud to play a key role in advancing the UK’s digital infrastructure." CommScope's central office fibre optic and broadband solutions give network operators and ISPs access to the scalable, high-quality infrastructure needed to satisfy the increasing demand for ultra-fast broadband and connectivity in the UK. By harnessing Altnets' established market position and logistical expertise, these advanced connectivity solutions will be available throughout the UK. Ronald Van der Kraan, VP Broadband – EMEA, comments, “We are pleased to be working with Altnets, who have vast industry expertise in full fibre products. We look forward to collaborating more to level up the UK’s digital infrastructure.” As a fibre optic specialist, Altnets is in a unique position to efficiently supply CommScope's products to UK clients, guaranteeing that network operators, and ISPs have access to advanced fibre networks with GPON, XGS-PON, and high-density fibre solutions to meet rising bandwidth demands, alongside high-capacity 5G and wireless deployments for fronthaul, backhaul, and small cells. Network operators must prioritise complete authority over their Optical Distribution Frames and fibre management systems and expand into high-processing Central Offices to accommodate the growing demand for data consumption. CommScope and Altnets ensure that the UK stays at the forefront of connectivity by providing innovative solutions that will drive the next phase of digital infrastructure. For more from Altnets, click here.

Kao Data and PepTalk to champion culture at new data centre

Kao Data, a specialist developer and operator of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing, has partnered with JCA Engineering and global workforce engagement platform, PepTalk, to bring a first-of-its-kind, people-first approach to the construction of its new KLON-03 data centre, which allows AI users to deploy multi-megawatts (MWs) of direct-to-chip, liquid cooled infrastructure, alongside traditional air-cooled servers within the same Technology Suite. As AI workloads continue to reshape global infrastructure demands, Kao Data is setting a new benchmark - combining cutting-edge engineering with a proactive focus on team wellbeing, safety, and performance. By embedding PepTalk’s real-time workforce intelligence into daily site operations, the project aims to elevate decision-making, anticipate risks early, and foster a stronger, safer site culture from the ground up. PepTalk’s platform gathers live, anonymous feedback directly from the workforce, offering leadership a constant pulse on team morale, communication, and engagement. Instead of using feedback purely as a sentiment check, the system enables site managers to identify blind spots, unlock opportunities for improvement, and build a shared culture of accountability. “As we build KLON-03, one of the UK’s most advanced AI-ready facilities, we want the same high standards applied to our technology reflected in the way we support people on site,” says Gavin Fernandez, Commercial & Delivery Director at Kao Data. “PepTalk’s insight helps us stay close to what matters - safety, morale, and team alignment - so we can deliver smarter and faster, with care.” PepTalk has supported major construction projects across Europe and the US, helping reduce incidents, improve retention, and drive measurable cultural improvements. “This partnership with Kao Data and JCA Engineering reflects a shared belief that world-class infrastructure is built not just by engineers, but by engaged, motivated teams,” says James Brogan, CEO and Co-founder of PepTalk. “With PepTalk embedded from day one, KLON-03 is leading the way in how culture can power performance.” For more from Kao Data, click here.

Panduit announces the passing of its Chief Technology Officer

It is with profound sadness that Panduit Corp has announced the unexpected passing of its Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Brett Lane on 25 April. In his role as CTO, Dr. Lane was responsible for driving sustainable business growth by delivering a continuous flow of innovative solutions through research, advanced development, and corporate entrepreneurship. “Brett’s passion for innovation was truly contagious, touching everyone who had the privilege of working with him,” comments Shannon McDaniel, Panduit President and CEO. “Over his 25-year career in engineering and product management at Panduit, he was a tireless champion for curiosity, invention, and excellence.” Before becoming CTO in 2018, Dr. Lane held a variety of technical and commercial leadership positions within the Panduit R&D organisation. His passion for technological advancement and a customer-focused approach led his teams to deliver ground-breaking innovations while delivering efficient volume manufacturing processes and effective product life cycle management. Additionally, his contributions to the communications industry through standards development organisations and technical forums have greatly enhanced Panduit's operations. Dr. Lane was respected widely as an industry expert with a highly collaborative style, holding multiple leadership positions within the domestic and international standards community. He also authored over 40 technical publications and holds 19 US patents. For more from Panduit, click here.

Innodisk launches SSD series for data centre applications

Innodisk, an industrial-grade flash storage provider, has announced the launch of its latest PCIe Gen5 SSD series, which is designed to meet the OCP Data Centre NVMe SSD spec v2.0 and the increasing demands of AI model training, big data analytics, and data-intensive environments. The new series supports multiple form factors, including U.2, as well as EDSFF E1.S, E3.S, and the brand new E3.L for data centre applications, catering to the diverse needs of enterprise and data centre environments. Innodisk tells us that the new series marks a new chapter for the company in terms of further fulfilling enterprise demands. The Innodisk PCIe Gen5 SSD, built with the latest PCIe Gen 5 x4 interface and NVMe 2.0 protocol, is designed to overcome the speed and latency limitations of traditional storage interfaces. With up to 128TB of high density NAND storage, it delivers speeds of up to 14GB/s (read) and 10GB/s (write), enabling lightning-fast data transfers for data-intensive applications. Enterprise data centres managing large-scale storage deployments and multi-tiered environments often require out-of-band and batch management capabilities, which present growing challenges. Innodisk PCIe Gen5 SSD addresses these demands with NVMe-MI for streamlined SSD management and multi namespace support, ensuring scalable and efficient storage operations. To ensure high quality and alignment with market trends, the PCIe Gen5 SSD aims to enhance integration with industry-leading data centre standards, such as OCP Data Centre NVMe SSD spec v2.0. Additionally, it is intended to be built for seamless integration with VMware, optimising compatibility with virtualisedenvironments and overall system performance. Innodisk’s PCIe Gen5 SSD also features advanced security mechanisms, ensuring robust data protection and seamless integration. Secure Boot technology authenticates digital signatures during firmware updates, preventing unauthorised modifications and ensuring that only trusted firmware is executed.

Nokia partners with atNorth to support cloud services in Finland

atNorth, a Nordic colocation, high-performance computing and AI service provider, has announced plans to support Nokia’s cloud infrastructure with a multi megawatt deployment at its FIN02 site in Finland (pictured above). The contract spans over 12 years and includes potential extensions totalling over 10MW. Nokia, one of the world’s leading telecommunications and networking technology companies, is headquartered in Finland and has long utilised Finnish data centres, leveraging the country’s cool climate and renewable energy sources to ensure the sustainability of its workloads. In fact, the business was ranked as the most sustainable telecoms and communications company in the world earlier this year. Nokia and atNorth have built a long-standing relationship through atNorth’s use of Nokia data centre switches that power its HPCaaS offering, which currently runs from its data centres in Iceland and Sweden. Well versed in the evolving data centre landscape, Nokia was looking for a data centre partner that could accommodate its high-density infrastructure needs without compromising its environmental credentials. The business required capacity suitable for high-density workloads of more than 130kw per rack, available at speed and with the potential for future scalability. Located in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, atNorth’s newest data centre, FIN02, runs on renewable energy and features robust power and liquid cooling capabilities. Built for scalability, its modular design supports high-performance workloads. A collaboration with Kesko Corporation enables waste heat recycling to heat a nearby store, further lowering its carbon footprint. “atNorth was able to meet our complex technical requirements at speed without compromising on our sustainability goals,” says Marika Mentula, Vice President for Network Infrastructure North Europe at Nokia. “By helping support our cloud infrastructure at atNorth’s FIN02 data center, we can deliver high-performance infrastructure that supports our most demanding applications.” Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO of atNorth, adds, “As the data centre industry continues to grow at record speed, it’s clear that businesses are increasingly seeking the full package - sustainable, secure, infrastructure that can scale rapidly. Our longstanding partnership with Nokia, rooted in the hardware demands of our HPCaaS offering and built on a shared commitment to sustainability, is a testament to that. It adds to a growing list of globally recognized companies that trust atNorth with their mission-critical data and rely on us to deliver best-in-class service.” The news follows atNorth’s recent announcement of its heat reuse partnership with retail giant, Kesko Corporation at its FIN02 data centre in Finland. The business has two other metro sites near Helsinki, and a fourth ‘mega’ site - which is currently in development in Kouvola - is expected to be operational by the end of 2025. For more from atNorth, click here.

Arteco launches direct-to-chip liquid cooling for data centres

Arteco, a provider of liquid cooling innovations, today announced its expansion into the data centre and electronics market with its Zitrec EC brand. The company states that the new brand arrives at a "critical moment", citing the escalating computational demands of today’s powerful technologies - like Generative AI and Large Language Models - which produce unprecedented heat loads which are threatening system performance, energy efficiency, and hardware reliability in the event that improved thermal management solutions aren't implemented. Zitrec EC, which is a versatile portfolio of Mono Propylene Glycol (MPG)-based, water-based and Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG)-based formulations with OAT (Organic Additive Technology), is specifically designed to help tackle these challenges. This advanced range of direct-to-chip coolants is engineered to deliver exceptional thermal performance and energy efficiency, allowing components to operate at higher calculating power without the risk of overheating. Its advanced features provide long-lasting corrosion protection, which can extend equipment lifespan and provide a safeguard against downtime. Zitrec EC therefore simplifies hardware maintenance, Arteco says, while significantly lowering the total cost and complexity of thermal management systems. “In this incredibly exciting era of AI and other technological advancements, we recognised a clear opportunity to combine our decades of cooling expertise with our relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainability, thereby empowering the digital infrastructure of tomorrow,” says Serge Lievens, Technology Manager at Arteco. Alexandre Moireau, General Manager of Arteco, adds, “Our biggest strength in this new Zitrec EC chapter is the same unwavering commitment to product excellence and deep customer intimacy that established us as a trusted leader in the automotive world. In the data centre space, we will continue to proactively co-create with our customers, delivering tailored cooling solutions that meet, and exceed, their most demanding requirements. This is how we want to set new standards in thermal management in the data center and electronics market.” As part of its broader sustainability strategy, Arteco has also announced the upcoming launch of a new bio-based MPG addition to its new Zitrec EC line. This new product complements the existing recycled MPG variant, underscores Arteco’s commitment to environmentally responsible innovation and offers the same product performance and quality as the other products in the Zitrec EC range. For more from Arteco, click here.

Powering the growth of modular data centres

By Andrew Skelton, Sales Manager, Centiel. The data centre industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by the exponential increase in digital demand, from cloud computing and IoT devices to AI and big data. This surge has led to mounting pressure on infrastructure providers to deliver capacity faster, more efficiently, and in increasingly constrained environments. Several factors are fuelling this rapid transformation. Urban areas are running out of space, planning permission for new builds can be time-consuming and complex, and the pace at which businesses require digital services has never been faster. In response to these challenges, modular data centres are emerging as a powerful solution. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar facilities, modular data centres are pre-engineered, prefabricated units - often based on 20 or 40-foot ISO shipping containers or custom-built enclosures. These compact, self-contained modules can be deployed indoors or outdoors, stacked vertically, or added in phases to scale infrastructure quickly. Their flexibility and portability also make them particularly well-suited for edge computing, where latency-sensitive applications require infrastructure closer to end users. One major advantage of modular data centres is the speed of deployment. Because they are classified as temporary or mobile structures in many regions, they can often bypass the full planning and approval processes required for permanent facilities. This allows organisations to get operational faster - sometimes within weeks - unlocking significant business value. However, one of the key technical considerations in modular deployments is power. Delivering reliable, continuous energy within the constraints of a small, high-density footprint is a significant challenge. That’s where modern, ultra-compact, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems come into play. Space is a precious commodity in modular environments. Traditional UPS systems are often too bulky to fit the physical and functional needs of these compact builds. As a result, there’s a growing demand for UPS solutions that deliver maximum power density in the smallest possible space, while also ensuring high energy efficiency and resilience. Centiel has specifically engineered its StratusPower UPS to meet these challenges. The company's multiple award-winning, three-phase, modular UPS is available with an ultra-compact frame that maximises vertical space, significantly reducing the floor area required. With an impressive power density of up to 1059kW/m², StratusPower is among the most space-efficient UPS systems available on the market today. StratusPower supports a scalable capacity range from 50kW to 1.8MW per cabinet and can be paralleled to deliver up to 5.4MW of clean, uninterrupted power. With a class-leading VFI (Voltage and Frequency Independent) operating efficiency of 97.6%, the system not only ensures power reliability but also helps reduce operating costs and improve overall sustainability - key factors in modern data centre design. As the industry continues to embrace modular and containerised infrastructure, compact, high-performance UPS systems will play an increasingly central role. Centiel’s StratusPower provides the flexibility, scalability, and reliability needed to power the next generation of digital infrastructure ensuring that modular growth doesn’t come at the cost of performance or efficiency. For more from Centiel, click here.

CtrlS Datacenters to invest in Bhopal facility

CtrlS Datacenters, Asia's largest Rated‑4 data centre operator, has announced a significant milestone with the virtual ground-breaking of its greenfield data centre in Bhopal, India, by the Honourable Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav. The ceremonial event took place during the Tech Growth Conclave 2025 on 27 April in Indore, where the Chief Minister virtually presided over the proceedings, demonstrating the State's forward-looking approach to digital innovation. The upcoming facility, will be built on a five-acre land parcel allotted by the Madhya Pradesh government in Badwai IT Park, representing a significant investment of Rs 500 Crore (£44.1m) and is projected to generate around 200 jobs over its phased development. This strategic investment will boost the region's digital ecosystem by supporting high‑performance cloud computing, AI, and data processing applications. The data centre's establishment strategically aligns with Madhya Pradesh's ambitious policy framework, including the IT, ITeS & ESDM Investment Promotion Policy 2023, offering up to a 25% capital expenditure subsidy and the Global Capability Centres Policy 2025, targeting more than 50 global tech centres. These initiatives align with the State's vision of achieving a $2 trillion economy by 2047 and position it as a leading destination for high-tech investments backed by world-class digital infrastructure. Highlighting the importance of the milestone, Sridhar Pinnapureddy, Chairman & MD of CtrlS Datacenters, says, “Our significant investment in this facility is a testament to our commitment to driving India’s digital future transformation. We chose Madhya Pradesh for its visionary leadership in fostering an enabling business and policy environment, a strategic location that can act as a digital crossroads for Central India and untapped potential as a technology talent hub. Our upcoming data centre is designed not only for today's needs, but also as a foundation for future technologies that will drive enterprise innovation and elevate the State’s digital capabilities.” The AI-ready data centre will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure, including advanced cooling and security systems. At full capacity, the data centre is projected to generate an annual State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) of Rs 7.5 crore and a Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) of Rs 7.5 crore. The facility’s cutting-edge capabilities will ensure 24/7 operational reliability and high uptime, establishing the facility as a critical node within the region's digital ecosystem. CtrlS Datacenters has a nationwide presence with 250 MW (IT Load) of combined data centre capacity across key Tier 1 markets, including Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Noida, and Kolkata. CtrlS Datacenters also operates edge data centre facilities in Tier 2 markets such as Patna and Lucknow, with further expansions planned in these markets along with GIFT City (Ahmedabad), Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati. For more from CtrlS Datacenters, click here.

Inaugural AI Compute Summit to take place

Economist Impact has announced the inaugural AI Compute Summit, which is scheduled for 22 May 2025, at the Scandic Copenhagen in Denmark. The event will convene over 300 industry leaders to explore the critical challenges of scaling, optimising, and securing compute infrastructure to power the next era of AI. As AI technologies rapidly evolve, the demand for computing power intensifies, leading to fierce competition for scarce resources such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and accelerators. The energy consumption required to power these advanced models raises environmental concerns and escalates operational costs. The AI Compute summit will address these pressing issues, focusing on building scalable, sustainable systems and strategies to power AI responsibly and efficiently.The event will feature over 60 influential speakers, including: • Nadia Carlsten, Chief Executive, Danish Centre for AI Innovation• David Power, Chief Technology Officer, Nscale• Lene B. Oddershede, Senior Vice-President nat-tech, Novo Nordisk Foundation• Per Öster, Director, advanced computing facility, CSC – IT Centre for Science• Niresh Rajah, Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer, DLA Piper• Pallavi Mahajan, Corporate Vice-President and General Manager, datacenter and AI, Intel• Enrique Mora, Principal Enterprise Architect – AI, global IT, Nestlé In addition to hearing from these industry giants, attendees will participate in thought-provoking discussions about the future of AI compute, addressing the challenges of building scalable, sustainable systems, the intense competition for limited resources and the strategies required to power AI responsibly and efficiently.The event features a dynamic programme of panel discussions, case studies, and fireside chats. Highlights include the panel discussion, 'The Race for AI Accelerators', exploring strategies to overcome high-performance computing shortages, the case study 'Denmark’s Gefion and computing for innovation', showcasing the impact of Denmark’s Gefion project on computational advancements; and the fireside chat, 'Cool customers: transforming data centres with liquid cooling' offering insights into the latest innovations in sustainable cooling technology. The event will also explore key topics such as advancing cloud technologies for scalable AI infrastructure, leveraging distributed computing to maximise efficiency, and integrating sustainable practices into high-demand AI environments. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the future of AI compute and practical approaches to overcoming its challenges.Attendees will have ample opportunities to network with fellow professionals, forge partnerships, and discuss challenges and opportunities across industries. With a global representation of over 300 leaders and senior decision-makers from industries like AI/ML, finance, data science, strategy and operations, participants can engage with cross-industry experts and potential collaborators in dynamic, structured networking sessions.The AI Compute summit is ideal for business leaders looking to scale, optimise and secure compute infrastructure. Register now to secure your spot and gain the insights needed to stay ahead in the race for AI compute.This year’s summit is sponsored by: • Platinum sponsor: Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Lenovo & NVIDIA, Schneider Electric• Gold sponsor: Nscale, io.net, Vultr• Silver sponsor: Orca Computing