Wolong introduces efficient motors for DC cooling applications

Wolong Electric America, a developer of industrial motor and drive technology, has introduced its Permanent Magnet Direct Drive (PMDD) motors, highlighting their ability to improve energy efficiency and reduce heat generation in high-demand environments such as data centres. Designed to operate without belts or sheaves, PMDD motors use a direct drive system that reduces mechanical complexity and common failure points, improving reliability and minimising maintenance requirements. The approach should also reduce mechanical stress and radial load on bearings, contributing to a longer service life. Lower heat output and energy use in data centres At the core of each motor is a rare earth magnet design that delivers stronger magnetic fields in a compact form factor. This aims to enable higher efficiency and cooler operation compared with traditional induction motors, which would be a key advantage in temperature-sensitive environments such as data centres, where controlling internal heat and power consumption are constant priorities. The motors are operated via a variable frequency drive (VFD), enabling precise speed control, smooth acceleration and deceleration, and reduced electrical strain on supporting systems. A 4:1 turndown ratio allows the motors to maintain torque and efficiency - including at low speeds - supporting variable airflow demands within cooling systems. Wolong Electric says its PMDD motors can be integrated directly into fan assemblies, reducing overall system losses and eliminating inrush current at startup. With reported efficiency improvements of around 20% over conventional induction motors, the design should contribute to measurable reductions in both energy use and waste heat. Flexible configurations for critical environments Wolong Electric says the PMDD motors can be tailored to specific applications, including data centre cooling systems, refineries, and OEM equipment such as heat exchangers. The motors are designed to operate at lower temperatures and with reduced maintenance demands, supporting long-term reliability and stable thermal management across facility operations. The company’s design approach hopes to enable easy integration with OEM and packaged system configurations, helping operators meet efficiency goals while aligning with evolving energy standards.

Data centre spending to quadruple by 2029 across UK

Spending on new data centres across Britain is set to reach an incredible £10 billion per year by 2029, according to new analysis by construction data experts Barbour ABI. That is more than four times as much as the current £1.75 billion being spent per annum. Atop this, the report states that, as investors seek cheaper land costs and cooler climates, the data centre drive will spread north - away from just London - and into Wales. Nearly 100 data centres are currently in planning, with strong growth driven by demand from AI technologies and the internet of things (IoT). The impact of this rapid growth “With exponential growth of this kind, sustainability must be at the forefront of industry strategy if we are to avoid an environmental disaster,” notes Ed Griffiths, Head of Business and Client Analytics at Barbour ABI. “Data centres are now recognised as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). However, given the immense power they consume, operators will come under growing pressure to adopt greener practices. “While many firms are pledging to use 100% renewable energy and implement energy-efficient technologies, there is currently no requirement to report energy usage publicly, so it will be difficult to hold them to account.” As the need for data processing accelerates, the market is forecast to attract over £25 billion in inward investment over the next five years, according to Barbour’s latest data centre construction market report. This surge in capital is reshaping the data centre construction landscape, with a rapid pipeline of new developments already underway. Hyperscale facilities outside of urban areas Growth is being supported by government initiatives such as 'AI Growth Zones', which aim to streamline the planning process and support the delivery of new infrastructure. “The impact of AI is one of the most significant trends shaping the future of the data centre industry,” continues Ed. “As AI technologies become integrated into daily operations, the need for high-performance data centres is becoming critical. "Operators are investing in hyperscale facilities outside of urban areas, designed to manage immense computing workloads.” While London and the Southeast have traditionally dominated the sector, data centre development is now expanding nationwide. Barbour ABI found that regions such as the Northeast, East of England, and Wales are becoming increasingly attractive for new projects. This shift is being driven by greater land availability, lower costs, cooler climates, access to renewable energy, and targeted regional growth policies. The UK’s largest planned data centre project is located at Northumberland Energy Park in Blyth. Backed by US asset management firm Blackstone, the development is expected to be worth £10 billion. Whilst the sector seems ripe for investors looking for big wins in the next few years, Ed does add a note of caution, stating, “While the headline story for data centres is one of growth and innovation, the industry faces real challenges. "Rising energy costs, constraints on supply and land, planning barriers, and a shortage of skilled labour could all affect the pace of expansion.”

AI is reshaping data centres - are you ready?

As AI workloads surge, data centres face unprecedented challenges in power quality, grid stability, and sustainability. Hitachi Energy is leading the charge with advanced HVDC and grid integration solutions designed to meet the evolving demands of hyperscale and colocation facilities. The company's solutions empower operators to maintain uptime, reduce environmental impact, and comply with global grid codes, while transforming data centres into versatile energy contributors. From battery energy storage systems (BESS) to hydrogen generators and microgrids, Hitachi Energy helps you balance erratic AI loads and ensure seamless grid reconnection. With standardised, scalable designs and deep consulting expertise, the company tailors infrastructure to your unique needs - delivering performance, reliability, and sustainability at scale. Data centres must evolve to stay resilient. Discover how to adapt to the future of data centre infrastructure by reading the full article here. For more from Hitachi, click here.

Salute introduces DTC liquid cooling operations service

Salute, a US provider of data centre lifecycle services, has announced what it describes as the data centre industry’s first dedicated service for direct-to-chip (DTC) liquid cooling operations, launched at NVIDIA GTC in Washington DC, USA. The service is aimed at supporting the growing number of data centres built for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. Several data centre operators, including Applied Digital, Compass Datacenters, and SDC, have adopted Salute’s operational model for DTC liquid cooling across new and existing sites. Managing operational risks in high-density environments AI and HPC facilities operate at power densities considerably higher than those of traditional enterprise or cloud environments. In these facilities, heat must be managed directly at the chip level using liquid cooling technologies. Interruptions to coolant flow or system leaks can result in temperature fluctuations, equipment damage, or safety risks due to the proximity of electrical systems and liquids. Erich Sanchack, Chief Executive Officer at Salute, says, “Salute has achieved a long list of industry firsts that have made us an indispensable partner for 80% of companies in the data centre industry. "This first-of-its-kind DTC liquid cooling service is a major new milestone for our industry that solves complex operational challenges for every company making major investments in AI/HPC.” Salute’s service aims to help operators establish and manage DTC liquid cooling systems safely and efficiently. It includes: • Design and operational assessments to create tailored operational models for each facility • Commissioning support to ensure systems are optimised for AI and HPC operations • Access to a continuously updated library of best practices developed through collaborations with NVIDIA, CDU manufacturers, chemical suppliers, and other industry participants • Operational documentation, including procedures for chemistry management, leak prevention, safety, and CDU oversight • Training programmes for data centre staff through classroom, online, and lab-based sessions • Optional operational support to help operators scale teams in line with AI and HPC demand Industry comments John Shultz, Chief Product Officer AI and Learning Officer for Salute, argues, “This service has already proven to be a game changer for the many data centre service providers who partnered with us as early adopters. By successfully mitigating the risks of DTC liquid cooling, Salute is enabling these companies to rapidly expand their AI/HPC operations to meet customer demand. "These companies will rely on this service from Salute to support an estimated 260 MW of data centre capacity in the coming months and will expand that to an estimated 3,300 MW of additional data centre capacity by the end of 2027. This is an enormous validation of the impact of our service on their ability to scale. Now, other companies can benefit from this service to protect their investments in AI.” Laura Laltrello, COO of Operations at Applied Digital, notes, “High-density environments that utilise liquid cooling require an entirely new operational model, which is why we partnered with Salute to implement operational methodologies customised for our facilities and our customers’ needs.” Walter Wang, Founder at SDC, adds, "Salute is making it possible for SDC’s customers to accelerate AI deployments with zero downtime, thanks to the proven operational model, real-world training, and other best practices."

Datacentre Innovation Series 2025 announced

In an age where digital transformation is pivotal for every industry, TraiCon Events says it is proud to announce the Datacentre Innovation Series 2025, taking place on 10 December 2025 at the Park Hotel in Hyderabad, India. This premier event will focus on the future of data centres, exploring new technologies, sustainability practices, and cutting-edge innovations that are reshaping the industry. Transforming India’s data centre landscape India’s data centre industry is on the brink of a major revolution, driven by cloud adoption, data sovereignty, AI, and the growing need for digital infrastructure. With a rapidly expanding digital economy and increased reliance on cloud computing, India is investing heavily in modernising and expanding its data centre ecosystem. The focus is on scalability, resilience, sustainability, and ensuring that data protection and privacy are at the forefront. The Datacentre Innovation Series 2025 will delve into the most pressing topics such as edge computing, data centre automation, 5G infrastructure, green data centers, AI-driven operations, and cybersecurity. Who should attend? This high-level strategic forum will bring together more than 250 senior-level professionals, government officials, industry experts, technology innovators, and decision-makers to discuss the future of India’s data infrastructure and the rapidly evolving landscape of digital transformation. Attendees will include: • Data centre operators & providers• Cloud service providers (CSPs)• Telecom operators• Government & regulatory officials• Technology innovators & solution providers• Data security & privacy experts• Sustainability leaders• Data infrastructure investors• Designers & engineers of data centres• Academia & research institutions• Telecom & IT analysts Why this series and why now? India’s data centre industry is witnessing unprecedented growth, with an increasing focus on sustainability, cloud-first strategies, and the future of edge computing. As the nation drives towards digital India initiatives and addresses data sovereignty concerns, it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve with the latest technologies and best practices. With the rise of 5G, AI, and IoT, the demand for robust, scalable, and secure data centres is higher than ever before. The Datacentre Innovation Series 2025 will equip professionals with the knowledge and strategies required to tackle the evolving challenges and ensure that India’s data centre ecosystem is ready for the demands of the future.

GNM-IX launches new PoP in Bucharest

GNM-IX, a Dutch internet exchange and backbone operator, has announced the launch of a new point of presence (PoP) in Bucharest, Romania, located in NXDATA-1, one of the country’s major carrier-neutral data centres and a digital gateway to Southeast Europe. This marks GNM’s first presence in Romania, expanding the company’s distributed interconnection platform into another region of Europe. The new Bucharest site provides access to GNM’s core connectivity services - internet exchange (GNM-IX), VLAN-based interconnections, and global IP Transit - enabling Romanian operators and content networks to exchange traffic locally and optimise international routes through GNM’s multi-terabit platform. For existing GNM members, the new PoP should strengthen connectivity across Southeast Europe, creating additional redundancy and more efficient routing options towards the Balkans, Central Europe, and beyond. Alex Surkoff, Business Development Director at GNM, comments, “Our goal is to make high-performance connectivity available wherever networks grow. “Expanding to Bucharest enhances our distributed architecture and gives both local and international operators new ways to interconnect - staying local in traffic exchange while remaining part of the global internet fabric.” GNM-IX now has more than 10 Tbps of aggregated traffic and 650+ connected networks. For more from GNM, click here.

Stellanor acquires eight DCs from Redcentric

Data centre operator Stellanor Datacenters, backed by a fund managed by global investment manager DWS, has announced the acquisition of eight strategic data centre sites from Redcentric, currently serving approximately 450 clients. The move marks a milestone in Stellanor’s broader strategy to be a major platform of regional data centres serving national and international enterprises as well as service providers with a need for wholesale and AI inference data centre capacity. Stellanor says it is creating a new generation of regional data centres, designed for proximity, performance, sustainability, and accessibility. As digital services become increasingly critical to business operations, the demand for secure, scalable, and locally hosted infrastructure is accelerating. Enterprise adoption of generative AI and real-time analytics will significantly accelerate this trend, particularly at the edge. Stellanor believes its growing network of urban and near-urban facilities are well positioned to meet the requirements of enterprise and AI-driven workloads of customers across the country. Steve Scott, CEO at Stellanor, argues, “We’re building infrastructure for the future, where data is generated, processed, and protected at the edge. Our goal is to set a new benchmark for high-performance, community-conscious data centres in Northern Europe. "Our focus is always on our customers, who will receive the highest standard of service. We look forward to growing our business alongside them and serving their future colocation needs.” Strategic UK expansion The newly acquired sites are strategically located in London, Reading, Cambridge, Woking, Gatwick, Byfleet, and West Yorkshire. The sites are seen as attractive given their high-density colocation capabilities, security standards, and sustainable operations powered by 100% renewable energy. Aparna Narain, Partner at DWS, comments, “The acquisition of RDC by Stellanor represents a transformative step in expanding our UK footprint to ten, high-quality, strategically located assets with 36MW of secured grid capacity and a blue-chip customer base. “We see significant long-term value in building resilient, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure that supports the UK’s digital economy.” With this acquisition, Stellanor will operate ten data centres across the UK, with plans for continued expansion across the UK and Nordics, focusing on service quality.

Aligned, Calibrant to deploy on-site battery storage

Aligned Data Centers (Aligned), a technology infrastructure company, and Calibrant Energy (Calibrant), a US provider of on-site energy systems, have announced a new energy solution to address an urgent constraint to the data centre industry: access to grid power. The announcement comes as the rapid growth of AI and advanced computing fuels unprecedented power demand, accelerating the need to increase load service and ensure reliable access to grid power. Under the agreement, Calibrant will deliver a 31MW / 62MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at Aligned’s data centre campus in the Pacific Northwest. The on-site system, planned to be operational in 2026, will enable the facility to come online and scale operations years earlier than would be possible with traditional utility upgrades. Calibrant and Aligned have been partnering with a regional utility in the Pacific Northwest since the start of negotiations to explore flexibility as a means to increase and accelerate interconnection. Phil Martin, CEO at Calibrant, says, “This project flips the script on how data centres access power. “Rather than the false choice between waiting years for system upgrades or having to go off grid entirely, we're working with leading data centre providers like Aligned to use distributed energy solutions to facilitate and accelerate grid interconnection. “This innovative model allows large power users to take control of their energy future while being stewards of their community - ensuring growth objectives are met in a manner that supports grid reliability, has minimal environmental impact, and doesn't burden others with the costs." A US first This will be the first time in the US that a battery system is purpose-built to accelerate interconnection and bring a large-scale data centre online. Developed using Calibrant’s 'Path to Power' solution - a replicable, scalable approach that leverages on-site energy to overcome siting and capacity bottlenecks - the system functions as a grid-responsive asset, designed to discharge during peak demand, bolster grid reliability, and ensure uninterrupted service. Calibrant and Aligned say they prioritised safety and the use of domestically manufactured components for this project, sourcing from suppliers that maintain US-based manufacturing and supply chains. The battery system meets international safety standards by incorporating multiple layers of protection, including safer battery chemistry, built-in fire mitigation measures, and remote 24/7 monitoring. Key equipment, including transformers, switchgear, and batteries, were all manufactured and/or assembled in the United States. Andrew Schaap, CEO at Aligned, comments, “This strategic project redefines how we grow in power-constrained markets. "With this BESS, we’re converting our load from a potential grid liability into a dynamic grid asset, providing the regional utility with the tools needed to accelerate our ramp, and we’re doing it responsibly, without impacting ratepayers. “We're proud to partner with Calibrant on a new market-defining initiative, directly addressing the industry's critical constraint of access to grid power. Their experience in serving large power users and critical facilities was instrumental in our ability to move quickly and efficiently.” Calibrant and Aligned confirmed they are considering similar projects in other markets, signalling a repeatable approach for data centre operators facing interconnection challenges. For more from Aligned, click here.

nLighten reports first ICFEn scores for UK, Germany, Spain

nLighten, a European data centre operator, has announced the first Integrated Carbon-Free Energy (ICFEn) scores for its data centres in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain, something the company considers a significant step in how environmental performance is measured within the sector. Developed in collaboration with the Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM), nLighten says the ICFEn framework introduces a more comprehensive approach to sustainability reporting by assessing hourly carbon-free energy matching, heat recovery, and contributions to grid stability. Unlike traditional metrics that rely on annual averages or focus solely on energy consumption, the company notes that ICFEn provides real-time insights into how facilities contribute to decarbonisation through energy reuse and system integration. A new framework for transparent environmental reporting The ICFEn model builds upon the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy concept by including three key elements: hourly renewable electricity matching, heat recovery, and grid stabilisation. This combined methodology aligns with the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, as well as sustainability standards such as the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and the Science Based Targets initiative. Chad McCarthy, Chief Technology Officer at nLighten, comments, “Traditional sustainability metrics have focused on the data centre’s electrical energy profile, but ICFEn integrates the data centre into a community energy system, accounting for both consumption and contribution. "By including heat recovery and real-time renewable energy matching, we’re offering customers and stakeholders unprecedented transparency about our environmental impact, hour by hour, not just as year-end averages.” nLighten’s facilities in the UK, Germany, and Spain achieved good ICFEn scores through renewable power purchase agreements and heat recovery initiatives. Its UK data centres recorded an ICFEn score of 94.61%, higher than the regional carbon-free energy grid average of 56.47%. The company achieves hourly renewable energy matching by integrating renewable assets into its portfolio and aligning their production with operational demand in real time. This aims to ensure that data centres are powered by clean energy when it is actively being consumed. Francesco Marasco, Vice President of Energy Operations and Sustainability at nLighten, adds, “We’re not just measuring renewable energy consumption, but quantifying environmental improvement through sustainable projects, for which we share the calculation method transparently. "The ICFEn methodology allows us to demonstrate measurable, system-wide benefits that lower community emissions. We encourage other operators to adopt this framework, as raising awareness of data centres’ environmental contributions benefits the wider sector.” Encouraging wider adoption nLighten has made the ICFEn methodology publicly available under a Creative Commons licence to encourage industry-wide adoption. The framework’s release coincides with updates to the GHG Protocol, which are expected to introduce hourly-based renewable energy reporting requirements. The company plans to extend ICFEn reporting to all European sites and introduce third-party verification of hourly energy and heat recovery data as part of its next phase of implementation. For more from nLighten, click here.

Data Centre Congress Global returns in 2026

Data Centre Expo Global is set to return to Olympia London on 4–5 February 2026, bringing together global leaders and innovators from across the digital infrastructure ecosystem to explore the future of green data, intelligent investment, and resilient physical infrastructure. Driving sustainable growth through innovation and investment Under this year’s themes of green investment, digital innovation, and physical infrastructure, the programme will spotlight how operators are redefining the foundations of data centres. Expect deep explorations of decarbonisation strategies, circular and modular design, grid integration, advanced cooling, power systems innovation, and sustainable site planning. Sessions will also examine how digital innovation is reshaping infrastructure, from AI-driven operations, automation, and control systems to next-generation materials, software-defined infrastructure, and data centre architectures that flex with demand and resilience requirements. Hyperscale, edge, and ensuring infrastructure resilience On the day two track, speakers will explore how hyperscale and edge infrastructures must evolve to serve a distributed, latency-sensitive, resilient future. Topics include data sovereignty, resilient connectivity, distributed compute, AI orchestration, fault tolerance, and hybrid edge-cloud architectures. The focus will remain squarely on designing systems that sustain performance under evolving stressors and threats. Hear from leading voices in digital infrastructure Attendees will gain first-hand insight from distinguished industry leaders, including: ● Elena Rehman, EMEA Head for Data Center Land Development, Microsoft● Kenneth Dalton, Operations Director, Global Switch● Vladimir Prodanovic, Principal Product Manager, NVIDIA● Susanna Kass, Data Center Advisor (UNSDG-EP)● Wilfried Dudink, Senior Director, Strategy & Development, Digital Realty● Joe Hurman, Principal Consultant, STL Partners● Steve Hone, CEO and co-founder, DCA (Data Centre Alliance)● Venessa Moffat, Advisory Board Member, DCA These experts will share case studies, forecasts, technical deep dives, and actionable guidance to help decision-makers across data centre and infrastructure industries. A hub for cross-domain collaboration Co-located with Cyber Security & Cloud Expo, AI & Big Data Expo, IoT Tech Expo, Digital Transformation Week, Cloud Transformation Conference, Edge Computing Expo and the Intelligent Automation Conference, the Expo will offer delegates exposure to the full spectrum of digital infrastructure trends and challenges. This integrated environment aims to foster "serendipitous connections and cross-industry innovation." Nearly 8,000 attendees, 150 exhibitors, and over 200 speakers are expected to convene in London to chart the course of next-generation infrastructure. To be a part of it, you can review the full agenda, explore the speaker list, or register for a free or 'Gold' pass by visiting the event's website.