Aligned announces new mega-scale AI campus in Ohio

Aligned Data Centers, a technology infrastructure company, has announced a significant expansion in Central Ohio with the planned development of its new data centre campus inside the Conesville Industrial Park. Aligned will develop a 197-acre parcel adjacent to the former AEP Conesville Power Plant. This development aims to revitalise the legacy brownfield site and spur commercial development, converting it into an economic epicentre for Coshocton County and the state of Ohio. "Through this strategic expansion, Aligned not only reinforces its commitment to providing future-ready digital infrastructure in vital growth markets, but also directly catalyses billions of dollars in investment for the state of Ohio and the Coshocton County community,” claims Andrew Schaap, Aligned’s CEO. "We are proud to see this investment revitalise a critical legacy site. It lays a powerful foundation, drawing new industries, creating high-quality jobs, and unlocking significant future opportunities for Southeast Ohio." Representing a multi-billion-dollar investment, this phased development is anticipated to generate thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of high-quality, long-term operational roles, ultimately boosting the local economy. Data centres in Ohio reportedly contribute significantly to local economies, generating substantial tax revenues that support public services and local infrastructure improvements. Aligned says it is also committed to local community engagement, including partnerships that support educational programs and environmental initiatives, intending to "ensure a positive and lasting impact in Coshocton County and the surrounding areas." Aligned’s new multi-building campus has already secured a foundational customer for its first data centre, targeting initial capacity delivery mid-2026. This is Aligned’s third data centre campus in Ohio. For more from Aligned, click here.

Ryze develops brand for data centre newcomer, Latos

UK creative agency Ryze has delivered a full brand identity for Latos, a fast-growing data centre developer building a UK-wide network of AI-ready facilities to support the country’s digital infrastructure. From strategic positioning through to messaging, identity, and digital design, Ryze has developed the Latos brand from the ground up. With a focus on fast-scaling technology and SaaS firms, the agency says it aimed to deliver a brand that communicates Latos’ ambition to build smarter, more sustainable infrastructure without the use of technical jargon. The project arrives at a time of rising demand for UK data centres, driven by increased AI adoption and government infrastructure investment. Chipmaker NVIDIA recently identified the UK as a “critical node” in its global expansion strategy. David Smith, Founder of Ryze, comments, “The Latos brand evokes ambition, energy, and a sense of clarity. "Visually, we avoided the conventional clichés of the sector and instead built a brand that moves – a timeless, modern foundation with a dynamic, confident colour palette and a distinctive icon set that adapts to different platforms and partners. "It’s a future-facing brand for a future-building company.” Peter Wilcock, Board Member at Latos, adds, “We’re not interested in doing what everyone else does. The market’s already full of that. "Our vision is about scale and creating smarter, more agile builds that fit the needs of today’s digital infrastructure. "Having a brand that reflects that disruption isn’t just useful, it’s essential. It’s how we connect with the right partners and show the market who we are.” Latos is currently developing 11 UK sites, with plans to establish 40 facilities by 2030. The company’s standardised designs are intended to enable faster rollout and regional deployment, with all sites built for high-performance computing and real-time AI. “This wasn’t just about giving Latos a logo but about shaping a brand that could open doors, attract capital, and be bold in a sector where most look and sound the same,” David concludes. “That thinking runs through all of our work, whether it’s for a SaaS platform or data centre developer, because strong branding isn't defined by sector or subject matter, but by ethos and purpose.”

STULZ invests in Hamburg production facility for liquid cooling

STULZ, a manufacturer of mission-critical air conditioning technology, has invested in a new production facility dedicated to liquid cooling systems at its headquarters in Hamburg. The expansion reflects the company’s focus on meeting growing demand for advanced cooling systems across high-performance computing and AI-driven data centres. The site extension enables closer collaboration between STULZ’s research and development, product management, and service teams, aiming to improve internal coordination and streamline workflows. According to the company, this will accelerate the delivery of liquid cooling innovations, reduce time to market, and enhance customer support capabilities across global markets. “Liquid cooling is a highly effective way to efficiently dissipate heat from the sensitive IT equipment found in modern data centres,” says Jörg Desler, Global Director Technology at STULZ. “Liquid cooling solutions must therefore be manufactured to the highest standards, with rigorously tested materials, modern quality management, efficient production processes, and qualified and experienced personnel. "We are proud to have these attributes in place in Hamburg and are already expanding upon them with our new production facility.” STULZ offers a range of liquid cooling systems which it says are tailored to the needs of modern data centre environments. These include configurable complete systems, advanced chillers with free cooling functionality, and modular technologies for scalable, high-density deployments. The company states that all offerings are designed for precise temperature control, reliability, and sustainability. Among the products manufactured at the new facility is the CyberCool CMU cooling distribution unit, which enables control over both the facility water system and the technology cooling system. It manages coolant flow, temperature, and pressure across both sides of the liquid cooling infrastructure, with the aim of improving efficiency. The unit is available in two sizes and provides a continuously variable output of up to 1,380kW. It can also be customised to meet specific project requirements. The CyberCool CMU is produced in Hamburg and distributed to customers across the EMEA and US regions, while other STULZ production sites supply additional global markets. New variants and expanded product sizes are currently under development, supported by ongoing investment in the Hamburg facility. “With this expansion of our production capabilities, we are demonstrating our commitment to Hamburg and thus creating a further basis for growth, innovation, and sustainable employment, even in the face of international competition,” adds Jörg. “The development of liquid cooling for high performance computing and AI-driven data centres is a key component of our strategy to strengthen technological leadership and uphold our high standards of quality and service.” For more from STULZ, click here.

Summer habits could increase cyber risk to enterprise data

As flexible work arrangements expand over the summer months, cybersecurity experts are warning businesses about the risks associated with remote and ‘workation’ models, particularly when employees access corporate systems from unsecured environments. According to Andrius Buinovskis, Cybersecurity Expert at NordLayer - a provider of network security services for businesses - working from abroad or outside traditional office settings can increase the likelihood of data breaches if not properly managed. The main risks include use of unsecured public Wi-Fi, reduced vigilance against phishing scams, use of personal or unsecured devices, and exposure to foreign jurisdictions with weaker data protection regulations. Devices used outside the workplace are also more susceptible to loss or theft, further raising the threat of data exposure. Andrius recommends the following key measures to mitigate risk: • Strong network encryption — It secures data in transit, transforming it into an unreadable format and safeguarding it from potential attackers. • Multi-factor authentication — Access controls, like multi-factor authentication, make it more difficult for cybercriminals to access accounts with stolen credentials, adding a layer of protection. • Robust password policies — Hackers can easily target and compromise accounts protected by weak, reused, or easy-to-access passwords. Enforcing strict password management policies requiring unique, long, and complex passwords, and educating employees on how to store them securely, minimises the possibility of falling victim to cybercriminals. • Zero trust architecture — The constant verification process of all devices and users trying to access the network significantly reduces the possibility of a hacker successfully infiltrating the business. • Network segmentation — If a bad actor does manage to infiltrate the network, ensuring it's segmented helps to minimise the potential damage. Not granting all employees access to the whole network and limiting it to the parts essential for their work helps reduce the scope of the data an infiltrator can access. He also highlights the importance of centralised security and regular staff training on cyber hygiene, especially when using personal devices or accessing systems while travelling. “High observability into employee activity and centralised security are crucial for defending against remote work-related cyber threats,” he argues.

Xela Energy gains approval for Hursley solar project

Xela Energy (formerly Clean Energy Capital), a UK-based provider of private-wire renewable energy systems for data centres and industrial-scale power consumers, has received full planning permission for a 5MW solar farm that will supply renewable electricity directly to IBM’s Hursley campus near Winchester, England. The project is the first in the UK to connect a data centre to a dedicated solar installation via a private-wire arrangement. The solar farm will be built on agricultural land located close to the Hursley site and will provide traceable renewable energy directly to the IBM campus. By operating independently of the UK’s main electricity grid and without reliance on government subsidies, the project is intended to contribute to national decarbonisation targets, while also helping to reduce strain on grid infrastructure and improve overall energy security. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate nearly 5 million kWh of energy per year. Over its lifetime, this is estimated to reduce CO₂ emissions by 46,000 tonnes - equivalent to planting around 60,000 trees. In addition to powering IBM’s 27,000ft² data centre, which opened in 1977, the project includes landscaping features and dedicated areas to support Biodiversity Net Gain. Xela Energy, which has a growing pipeline of private-wire schemes, describes its approach as land-led rather than consultancy-led - focusing on securing sites near large energy consumers to provide fully funded, dedicated clean energy solutions. The company develops, builds, owns, and operates each installation directly, delivering "low-cost, traceable electricity" to its clients. “This project represents a major milestone in how large power users can decarbonise with certainty, speed, and integrity,” claims Alexander Goodall, founder and CEO of Xela Energy. “It’s a blueprint for how the UK can decarbonise its most energy-intensive industries at scale. If our energy is unsustainable, so is our existence. "That’s why Xela Energy exists: to make clean, cost-effective power available directly at the point of use without waiting for policy, grid reform, or subsidies. Projects like this show we don’t have to choose between economic growth and environmental responsibility, it’s possible to have both.” The Hursley installation is set to begin construction in the coming months. It comes at a time when data centre energy demand is increasing, driven by generative AI and other high-performance computing workloads.

'Construction’s digital lag risks derailing data centre boom'

As the UK accelerates investment in AI infrastructure - committing billions to 'AI Growth Zones' and sovereign compute capacity - a new white paper from integrated collaboration platform Revizto warns that delivery of the data centres required to power the UK’s digital transformation could fall short unless building methods evolve to keep pace with demand. This risk is underscored by the rapid growth of the UK data centre market, which is expected to more than double in value by 2030, growing at over 13% annually and contributing an additional £44 billion to the economy by 2035. However, to realise this economic potential, the UK must accelerate the delivery of modern digital infrastructure to meet sustained demand for AI. Currently, the UK construction sector is struggling to keep pace – putting both infrastructure delivery and the UK’s broader economic ambitions at risk. Revizto’s recent 2025 Digital Design & Construction Report reveals that, despite significant interest in AI across the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, & Operations (AECO) industry, technology adoption remains a critical barrier, with many UK project teams still relying on static, non-integrated tools like email, Excel and PDFs to manage complex and fast-moving projects. Revizto’s research with over 2000 industry leaders found that: · 63% of UK AECO professionals are closely following developments in AI and automation.· But for 25% of leaders, tech integration is their top business challenge – ranking above rising costs, talent shortages, and regulatory requirements.· Globally, over a quarter (26%) still rely on email, spreadsheets, and PDFs as their primary digital tools. The data points to a persistent reliance on non-integrated technology, despite increasing complexity in projects and tightening timeframes. This reliance is slowing delivery and increasing risk on data centre projects that demand precision, speed, and scale. To meet explosive demand, the digital infrastructure behind AI must be delivered faster and more efficiently. But, as Revizto’s new white paper, The Infrastructure Behind Innovation, shows, delivering at scale and pace brings intense challenges. Data centre construction demands complex coordination, massive datasets, strict regulatory compliance, high-stakes communication, and tight timeframes – with some projects now moving from concept to full design in as little as ten weeks. Arman Gukasyan, Founder and CEO of Revizto, comments, “The global data centre boom brings enormous promise, but also new levels of complexity, urgency, and risk. "The construction industry can’t keep pace with demand using static tools like Excel and PDFs. If the UK is serious about leading in AI, it must fundamentally shift how it delivers the physical infrastructure required for digital transformation.” To secure the UK’s position as a leader in AI and innovation, the AECO industry must rapidly embrace new technologies and collaborative approaches. By modernising methods and accelerating digital adoption, the sector can deliver the data centre capacity needed to unlock economic growth and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of the AI revolution.

Chatsworth launches new eConnect PDUs

Chatsworth Products (CPI), a US-based manufacturer of IT infrastructure equipment, has launched a new addition to its eConnect Power Distribution Unit (PDU) portfolio, introducing a QuadLock outlet design that the company says provides improved outlet compatibility and power reliability for high-density, high-performance data centres. The new eConnect PDUs with QuadLock outlets aim to support a range of infrastructure requirements, including AI- and GPU-based computing environments, as well as liquid-cooled systems. The units are designed to enhance adaptability, reduce operational risk, and streamline deployment by integrating four outlet types - C13, C15, C19, and C21 - within a single chassis. CPI’s new offering supports all four outlet types with built-in locking mechanisms, without the need for proprietary power cords. “With data centres facing rapid technological advancements, including the proliferation of GPU and AI workloads, infrastructure flexibility and power reliability are more critical than ever,” argues Ashish Moondra, Senior Director of Electronics and Software at CPI. “eConnect PDUs with QuadLock Outlets empower our customers to quickly adapt to changing equipment requirements without sacrificing performance or uptime.” Key features of the eConnect PDU with QuadLock Outlets include: • Four-outlet compatibility — One unit supports C13, C15, C19, and C21 outlet types, increasing equipment compatibility and reducing the need for multiple PDU models. • Secure locking mechanism — Each outlet includes integrated locking to prevent accidental disconnections, including in high-vibration or high-traffic environments. • High-power support — Systems can deliver up to 57.5kW per cabinet with 100A input capacity, supporting intensive workloads. • Colour-coded outlets — Aids in load balancing and troubleshooting by making outlet identification easier. • Flexible integration — Compatible with all six CPI eConnect PDU models - Basic, Metered, Monitored, Monitored Pro, Switched, and Switched Pro - and can be pre-installed into CPI cabinets for quicker deployment. The modular design is intended to reduce PDU redundancy, simplify inventory management, and support a scalable approach to data centre infrastructure. CPI also highlights the product’s contribution to sustainability goals by reducing waste through long-term compatibility and reusability. The new PDUs will be available from 7 July 2025 through CPI’s global network of distribution partners.

Reuters Events: Energy LIVE 2025!

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RETN upgrades Lithuanian network ring

RETN, an independent global network services provider, has announced the upgrade of its Lithuanian network ring connecting Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, and Panevėžys. The upgrade enhances regional connectivity within Lithuania by extending high-capacity services across these cities, while maintaining Vilnius and Kaunas as key nodes on RETN’s international backbone linking the Baltics with major European hubs. Working in partnership with fibre provider Skaidula, and in response to customer demand, RETN deployed 100G DWDM transponders across key regional routes, complementing the existing Nx100G and Nx400G services in Vilnius and Kaunas. The upgraded segments now operate with 500G of installed capacity and are designed to scale to 1.2Tbps and beyond as demand grows. The upgraded ring improves access across the Baltic region and provides direct routes to border points with Latvia and Poland, with onward connectivity to Warsaw, Stockholm, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and other key locations. "As Lithuania continues to grow as a technology powerhouse, RETN is committed to providing fast, secure, and future-proof connectivity to meet the demands of the region's rapidly evolving IT sector,” comments Timur Pertenava, Commercial Director, Nordic & Baltic at RETN. “Our upgraded infrastructure is designed to support the growing needs of international carriers, cloud providers, and the thriving local unicorn ecosystem." This upgrade is part of a broader programme to expand RETN's IP and DWDM backbone across the region to support the growing traffic volumes from Lithuania's IT and data hosting sectors. For more from RETN, click here.

MP visits Datum's new Manchester data centre

Mike Kane MP, Member of Parliament for Wythenshawe and Sale East, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, recently visited UK data centre provider Datum Datacentres’ newly constructed MCR2 data centre in Manchester. Datum’s latest data centre is the first completed construction project in the £500 million regeneration plan for Wythenshawe. Mike toured the facility, learning about its role in shaping local regeneration and its contribution to supporting businesses across Manchester. Mike, who himself has lifelong ties to the area, expressed a keen interest in the impact MCR2 looks to have on the region and was keen to understand its role in driving local regeneration and supporting businesses throughout Manchester. Alongside fostering growth among its future tenants, the construction process emphasised the employment of local contractors wherever feasible. This strategy aimed to strengthen the local economy while reflecting the project's dedication to minimising environmental impact. Mike Kane MP comments, “It’s remarkable to see a project of this scale right at the heart of the community in Wythenshawe. This facility sets a new benchmark for sustainable, cutting-edge infrastructure while creating pathways to economic growth and wider opportunities for the region.” During a tour of the facility, Mike was shown how MCR2 demonstrates environmentally sustainable design. As part of the construction process, Datum conducted a carbon impact assessment and integrated sustainability measures, including the installation of efficient free cooling systems to minimise environmental impact, and the incorporation of heat exchange technology to support local community heating initiatives. The site’s backup generators run on environmentally-friendly Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) instead of red diesel. Additionally, the site has a design PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.25. Its data halls are built to accommodate a range of clients - from SMEs to large enterprises - offering flexible power density options and IT infrastructure support. The site also includes advanced security measures, including police-linked on-site facilities. Matt Edgley, COO at Datum Datacentres, notes, “We were delighted to welcome Mike Kane MP to MCR2 and showcase the culmination of this significant construction effort. The facility symbolises our commitment to revitalising Wythenshawe while bolstering Manchester’s growth as one of the UK’s premier tech hubs.” MCR2 hopes to play a pivotal role in driving regional economic growth and attracting enterprise activity to Manchester. Its completion represents an achievement in sustainable development and also seeks to open new opportunities for businesses across diverse industries. Jon Healy, Managing Director EMEA at Salute, says, "It has been a fantastic project to be involved in and it’s great to see the positive impact it will have on the region. This state-of-the-art and sustainable data centre provides the critical infrastructure needed to support the region’s continued growth." The official launch of MCR2 took place at the end of June and the site is now welcoming visitors who would like to tour the facility. For more from Datum Datacentres, click here.