Rubicon surpasses 1GW battery storage milestone

Rubicon Professional Services (RPS), a US design and construction firm for critical facilities, says it has surpassed 1GW of installed battery energy storage capacity across projects in the United States, as demand for data centre power infrastructure grows alongside AI. The company says the capacity is distributed across projects supporting data centres, telecommunications networks, healthcare facilities, manufacturers, educational institutions, housing developments, retail operations, and utilities. Battery energy storage can provide additional power resilience, help manage electricity costs, and reduce demand on the electrical grid during periods of peak consumption. For data centres and other critical facilities, storage can also support continuity of power during disruptions. RPS says the 1GW milestone represents battery storage capacity comparable with the output of a large utility-scale power plant. William Pirrone, Founding Principal at RPS, comments, "Surpassing one gigawatt of installed battery energy storage capacity represents more than a company milestone; it reflects years of helping customers solve increasingly complex power challenges. "Today, and into the foreseeable future, the rapid growth of AI compute will place unprecedented demand on our nation's electrical grid. Organisations need experienced partners who can deliver resilient, scalable power alternatives, efficiently and on schedule." Battery storage for rising power demand The company says its battery energy storage projects are being deployed across a range of sectors as electricity demand increases. RPS has worked on energy infrastructure projects across the US since 2019, including projects supporting data centres and other critical facilities. The company has 20 years of experience delivering electrical infrastructure projects and says around 95% of its business comes from repeat customers. It also says the growth of AI computing is increasing demand for electrical infrastructure and is contributing to greater interest in battery energy storage as part of power planning for data centres. The 1GW milestone covers installed battery energy storage capacity across RPS projects nationwide.

Enlightra advances AI interconnects with Yokogawa

Enlightra, a Swiss photonics company, is using optical spectrum analysers from Yokogawa, a Japanese manufacturer of industrial measurement, control, and automation systems, to develop multi-channel laser sources for optical interconnects in next-generation AI data centres. The company is developing compact laser sources based on optical frequency comb technology. Its microcomb platform generates multiple precisely spaced optical wavelengths from a single laser, providing an alternative to using separate lasers for each optical communication channel. The systems are designed to generate between eight and 32 comb lines, with channel spacing ranging from 100 to 800GHz and power per line exceeding 7dBm across O-band datacom and C-band telecom wavelengths. Enlightra needs to measure the number of channels, line spacing, power per line, channel-to-channel power variation, and optical noise floor during development. The company characterises thousands of photonic chips during development, making measurement speed and repeatability important. It uses Yokogawa optical spectrum analysers to capture high-resolution measurements across a broad wavelength range. The analysers provide a resolution of 0.02nm and a close-in dynamic range of more than 70dB, allowing engineers to distinguish individual comb lines and measure the noise floor between channels. The measurements are used to assess line spacing, power levels, spectral flatness, and optical signal-to-noise ratio across O-band and C-band systems. Optical measurements for development Fast sweep performance allows Enlightra to maintain measurement throughput when characterising large numbers of photonic chips. The instruments also provide broad wavelength coverage for development and validation work. Measurement quality is also important when Enlightra demonstrates its technology to potential customers at exhibitions and other live demonstrations. The company says portable field instruments previously used for demonstrations did not always reproduce the resolution and low-noise performance available in its laboratory. Limited resolution could affect the displayed shape and peak power of individual comb lines, while making the noise floor more difficult to distinguish. Using Yokogawa optical spectrum analysers allows Enlightra to reproduce the measurement quality of its laboratory equipment during demonstrations. Hanae Zegmout, Lead Photonic Designer at Enlightra, says, “In the frequency comb space, Yokogawa is the gold standard. Choosing its spectrum analysers ensures that our data is immediately trusted and recognised. “Our experience with the two Yokogawa systems in our lab shows that these analysers are robust, hold their calibration well, and offer a seamless user experience.” The instruments are used across Enlightra's research and development work, as well as demonstrations of its comb-laser technology for optical interconnects. To read the full case study, you can click here. Yokogawa is also due to exhibit its optical test and measurement equipment alongside frequency-comb laser technology at ECOC 2026 in Málaga, Spain, from 21–23 September 2026.

Macquarie, Microsoft sign A$278m data centre deal

Macquarie Cloud Services, an Australian cloud services provider for business and government, part of Macquarie Technology Group, has signed a Microsoft Datacentre Optimisation (DCO) agreement covering Azure consumption over the next three years. The agreement is the third DCO agreement signed by Macquarie and builds on its work with Microsoft supporting Australian organisations with cloud migration and infrastructure modernisation. Under the agreement, Microsoft forecasts that Macquarie's Azure consumption spend could reach up to A$278 million (£145 million) over three years, based on its roadmap and performance to date. Microsoft DCO is an initiative intended to support partners in expanding their Azure practices and helping customers with hybrid cloud transformation. Macquarie Cloud Services is a Microsoft cloud service provider (CSP) in Australia and has used the DCO programme to support customer workload migration. Azure demand grows in Australia The agreement comes as Australia's public cloud market is forecast to reach around A$220 billion (£114 billion) by 2034, according to Macquarie. The company attributes the expected growth to AI, cyber security, systems modernisation, and regulatory requirements affecting major industries, which include APRA's CPS 230 and CPS 234 standards, the Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act, and Essential Eight (E8) maturity requirements. Vincent Texcier, Global DCO Centre of Excellence at Microsoft, comments, “Macquarie Cloud Services continues to demonstrate strong leadership in helping Australian organisations modernise with Microsoft Azure. “Through this agreement, Macquarie Cloud Services can continue helping customers migrate and modernise infrastructure, strengthen their cloud foundations, and prepare for future data and AI opportunities.” Macquarie has held Microsoft's Expert MSP status for six years. The company says it has delivered average cloud cost savings of 26% and reduced operational risk for thousands of Australian organisations. Naran McClung (pictured above), Executive Head of Azure at Macquarie Cloud Services, notes, “By combining our capabilities with the DCO framework, we are enabling customers to move to Azure at scale, while building a foundation for data, AI, and next-generation applications that will ultimately drive the Australian economy. “Increasingly, our growth is being driven by customers expanding into new workloads and more sophisticated capabilities as their cloud maturity develops, as well as organisations moving to Azure for the first time. "This agreement reflects continued confidence in our Azure capability, experience, and customer outcomes. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Microsoft as it continues its own significant investment into Australia.” For more from Macquarie, click here.

FIOR, Multiverse partner on sovereign edge AI environments

FIOR Group, a UK-based cybersecurity firm providing identity and enforcement gateways for AI agents, and Multiverse Computing, a Spanish company specialising in compressing large language models, have agreed to integrate their technologies for AI deployments in edge, on-premises, and sovereign environments. The partnership combines FIOR’s cryptographic agent identity, policy enforcement, revocation, and audit technology with Multiverse Computing’s model compression, optimisation, and edge deployment capabilities. The companies intend to support organisations that want to run AI within infrastructure they control, including private and sovereign cloud environments, telecom networks, industrial sites, and air-gapped systems. The combined technologies are intended to provide local AI execution alongside controls for identity, access, policy compliance, auditability, and data sovereignty. Under the agreement, FIOR and Multiverse will integrate FIOR’s agent identity gateway, policy enforcement, tamper-evident audit trail, mobile protection, and voice authentication with Multiverse-enabled AI deployments. Multiverse will support the deployment and optimisation of AI models within FIOR-enabled environments, including in-perimeter model execution, anomaly detection, content and policy analysis, and lifecycle support for edge and sovereign AI systems. The companies expect the work to cover applications in sovereign AI infrastructure, regulated enterprise AI, defence and public-sector deployments, telecom and edge AI, industrial automation, financial services, and healthcare. AI deployment within controlled environments Enrique Lizaso Olmos, CEO of Multiverse Computing, says, “Multiverse Computing is focused on making advanced AI models more efficient, deployable, and useful in real-world environments. "Partnering with FIOR strengthens the governance and security layer around AI deployments, particularly for customers requiring sovereign, on-premises, and high-assurance AI infrastructure. "Together, we can support a new generation of AI products designed for security, efficiency, and operational control. It is clear, as IDC recently noted, that FIOR has unique advantages in its ability to identify, secure, and govern every single agent, and that is an important differentiator for our clients." David Williams, Founder of FIOR, adds, "AI will not be trusted at scale unless organisations can control which agents act, what they are authorised to do, how authority is delegated, and how those actions are evidenced. FIOR was built to provide that control layer. "By working with Multiverse, we can combine cryptographic agent governance with efficient edge and in-perimeter AI deployment, which is exactly where many governments and regulated enterprises now need AI to operate. Multiverse's ability to collapse the cost of operating AI, combined with sovereignty, creates significant opportunities." The partnership will initially focus on identified customer opportunities and selected integrations where Multiverse already has customer relationships. The companies also plan to work on technical integration, customer deployment patterns, certification, international market activity, and further product development. FIOR and Multiverse expect locally deployable AI models and cryptographically governed agent infrastructure to become increasingly relevant as governments and enterprises seek to reduce their reliance on external AI services and run AI within infrastructure under their own control.

atNorth to power Danish food production with surplus heat

atNorth, a Nordic high-density data centre provider, is partnering with investment firm Selected Group to reuse surplus heat from its DEN02 data centre campus in Ølgod, Denmark, to support a large-scale greenhouse development. The project will use heat generated by the data centre to support local food production, with the first phase of the greenhouse development expected to be completed in Q3 2028. The development will be located on land adjacent to the DEN02 site and is intended to support year-round production of fresh fruit and vegetables in Denmark. Most fresh fruit and vegetables sold in Denmark are currently imported, particularly during winter when domestic production is limited by the climate. The project is intended to reduce reliance on imported produce and support a more resilient local food supply. The partnership forms part of atNorth's approach to incorporating heat reuse into data centre developments, connecting digital infrastructure with local agriculture. Surplus heat to support local production The first phase of the greenhouse development intends to use surplus heat from DEN02 to reduce the carbon emissions associated with conventional fossil-fuelled greenhouse heating. The project is also expected to create jobs during construction and ongoing operations, whilst providing additional economic activity in the Ølgod area. The greenhouse development is designed to expand alongside the DEN02 campus, creating an integrated site combining data centre infrastructure with agricultural production. Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO at atNorth, says, “This partnership demonstrates exactly what responsible digital infrastructure should look like. "By collaborating with forward-thinking organisations like Selected Group, we can transform surplus heat into a valuable resource that supports local food production, reduces carbon emissions, and strengthens community resilience. DEN02 is designed to integrate into Ølgod's community, and this project exemplifies this.” Peter Nielsen, CEO of Selected Group, adds, “Every unit of surplus heat should create value. By partnering with atNorth to convert surplus heat into local food production, we are demonstrating how digital infrastructure can strengthen food security while reducing emissions. "Reducing dependence on imported produce strengthens national food resilience, shortens supply chains, and removes the emissions associated with transporting fresh produce across borders. We believe this model can be replicated wherever large-scale data centers are built.” The announcement follows atNorth's partnership with Vestforbrænding to reuse surplus heat from its DEN01 data centre for the local district heating network. atNorth also works with Kesko Corporation in Finland to provide heat for a local shop, and with Stockholm Exergi at its SWE01 campus to supply heat for local homes and businesses. For more from atNorth, click here.

Russelectric details its transfer switches for data centres

US power control manufacturer Russelectric, a Siemens business, has outlined the features of its automatic transfer switches for data centres and other critical facilities. The transfer switches are available in 480VAC configurations with three-cycle and 30-cycle UL-tested closing and withstand ratings under UL 1008. The 30-cycle rating can support selective coordination with overcurrent protection devices, including systems with extended trip delays. This can be used to meet National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for emergency and legally required standby systems. The switches use preloaded springs and an over-centre mechanism driven by an electric operator to open and close the power contacts. During an open-transition transfer, the contact mechanism remains locked until the over-centre position is reached. The preloaded springs then open the closed contacts and close the open contacts rapidly, with a momentary break between the two operations. The quick-break function provides rapid arc interruption at maximum voltage and current, reducing contact erosion. The design is intended to withstand the mechanical and thermal demands associated with fault durations of up to 30 cycles. Transfer switch configurations Control components and wiring can be replaced without removing the transfer switch from its enclosure. The front-connected wiring uses flame-retardant, 600V SIS-rated switchboard wiring, with connections identified using sleeve-type markers that are visible from the front of the cabinet. Open-transition versions are available for basic transfer applications and loads with high inductive characteristics. They use a quick-break, quick-make transfer mechanism, positive mechanical interlocking, and electrical operators. The switches are available in three- and four-pole configurations, with front-accessible wiring. The 30-cycle withstand rating allows the switches to accommodate a range of short-time overcurrent protection settings, which can simplify coordination studies in high-density electrical systems. Closed-transition versions provide closed-transition retransfer to the preferred power source for testing without interrupting power. If the preferred source is lost, the switches provide high-speed quick-break, quick-make open-transition transfer. These versions are available in two-, three-, and four-pole configurations, with front-accessible wiring. The 30-cycle rating is designed to maintain the transfer switch's operating capability following exposure to fault conditions. The transfer switches can coordinate with a range of circuit breakers, including devices with extended trip delays. This provides flexibility when electrical systems are modified or expanded and can help reduce the potential for disruption to servers, cooling systems, and other critical IT infrastructure. For more from Russelectric, click here.

Airsys urges UK MPs to focus on existing data centres

Airsys, a provider of data centre cooling systems, has called on MPs to consider upgrading existing data centre sites as part of the UK’s approach to expanding AI capacity. The cooling technology company will make the case for improving existing data centre assets in response to an inquiry launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Data Centres. Matthew Thompson, UK Managing Director at Airsys, says, “AI Growth Zones are clearly part of the mix, but these will take time to deliver. UK businesses need access to AI now, and better utilisation of existing sites has to be part of the answer.” The inquiry follows the publication of the APPG Insights report in May, which highlighted industry concerns around energy supply and grid access, energy costs, water use, planning, and sustainability. Matthew continues, “While government policy has emphasised construction of new data centres and AI Growth Zones, these will take years to come on stream. Planning and local community agreement is one hurdle, but getting sufficient power onto these sites is the biggest bottleneck for the industry. “The government policy is also heavily focused on regional developments, which has raised concerns amongst some operators about latency issues as inference becomes more important. “In the meantime, businesses need compute capacity now in strategic locations, that don’t compromise on latency.” Airsys is proposing that retrofitting existing sites and developing new capacity on brownfield sites should form part of the UK’s data centre and AI infrastructure agenda. Retrofitting could increase compute capacity Matthew notes, “The Government has correctly identified the UK’s massive potential for economic growth through data centres and AI. But, focusing purely on longer-term projects could mean more immediate opportunities to boost our AI capacity are lost.” Airsys argues that retrofitting legacy sites with liquid cooling could improve the use of available power by reducing cooling requirements and allowing more power to be allocated to computing. Data centre operators commonly use power usage effectiveness (PUE) to measure energy efficiency. Airsys has proposed two additional metrics - power compute effectiveness (PCE) and return on invested power (ROIP) - to assess the utilisation of data centre power and identify underused capacity. The company says deploying liquid cooling at existing sites, alongside developing capacity closer to users, could increase compute density and utilisation whilst reducing energy and water consumption. It also argues that a focus on longer-term regional AI Growth Zones, combined with fragmented local planning and policy, could make it more difficult to improve existing sites. Airsys will submit formal evidence to the inquiry, focusing on policies for edge environments and retrofitting alongside larger-scale data centre developments. Matthew concludes, “Clear, unified direction from central government and regulators is urgently required to ensure UK businesses get access to the capacity they need, where they need it. “We want to ensure the Government, legislators, and regulators are aware of all the tools available to ensure the country is able to fully realise the benefit of all its AI and data centre infrastructure." For more from Airsys, click here.

800 VDC arc flash risk assessed in new Schneider study

Global energy technology company Schneider Electric has published an analysis of arc flash risk in 800 VDC power architectures, examining how different system designs, capacitor placement, and fault-clearing behaviour affect the potential for electrical hazards. The analysis uses deployment scenarios based on hyperscaler design patterns and compares two emerging 800 VDC architectures with different configurations. It finds that, even under conservative assumptions where capacitors dominate fault behaviour, arc flash risk in 800 VDC systems can be managed and, in some cases, is comparable with typical AC systems. The study also finds that advanced software and digital twins can provide more detailed modelling of arc flash risk than simplified calculation methods. The research comes as 800 VDC architectures are being considered for higher-density AI data centre racks. NVIDIA and other technology companies, including Schneider Electric, are working on power infrastructure intended to support racks rated at 400 kW and above. As power densities increase, 800 VDC distribution is being considered for supplying higher-power racks while limiting distribution losses. However, higher operating voltages also require greater understanding of fault behaviour, protection coordination, and safe working practices. Manish Kumar, EVP Secure Power & Data Centers, Schneider Electric, says, "800 VDC power distribution represents a significant shift in data centre design, but it also introduces safety considerations that need to be studied extensively. "Our work with some of the world’s leading hyperscalers provides engineers and safety professionals with one of the first practical frameworks for evaluating arc flash risks, providing a structured approach to understanding fault behaviour, establishing safe work practices, and designing effective protection schemes. "Our goal is to help the industry move towards higher-voltage architectures with confidence and safety." Two 800 VDC architectures examined The analysis assesses rack-level and facility-level 800 VDC architectures, representing two implementation approaches being considered for data centre power distribution. It compares standards-based methods, transient simulation, and system-level modelling, finding that existing arc flash frameworks can be applied to 800 VDC systems when the architecture and time-dependent behaviour of faults are taken into account. For rack-level 800 VDC architectures, a sidecar (also known as a power rack) case study used conservative methods and assumptions. The results showed incident energy below the referenced 1.2cal/cm² PPE threshold, even without protection devices. The facility-level case study showed the potential for slightly higher incident energy than the rack-level design. This assessment also used a conservative architecture without overcurrent protection. The analysis examined system topology and the effect of fault locations upstream and downstream of reverse-blocking diodes on back-feed, peak current, and arc flash outcomes. When fault contribution is limited in time using standard protection devices, the study found that arc flash energy can be reduced to levels appropriate for the working environment and generally comparable with common AC architectures. The research identifies several factors that influence arc flash risk in 800 VDC systems: • Transient behaviour matters — Arc flash is driven by time-dependent fault currents, with capacitor discharge dominating the first milliseconds of an event.• Simulation can improve accuracy — Transient simulation and power system analysis tools can provide a more detailed assessment than simplified DC arc flash calculations, which the study finds can overestimate risk in capacitor-dominated systems.• System design affects risk — Capacitor placement, reverse-blocking devices, and millisecond-scale protection can influence arc flash outcomes. Tanuj Khandelwal, CEO of ETAP, notes, "Industry standards remain essential for arc flash and electrical safety, but traditional methods can be overly conservative because they do not fully reflect how complex DC systems operate. "To understand real risk, engineers must evaluate system topology, fault behaviour, protection coordination, converter response, switching logic, and active protection schemes. "ETAP enables teams to model and validate 800V DC systems as they perform, helping move from conservative assumptions to more accurate, AI-augmented, physics-based safety and operational decisions." The study concludes that system architecture and protection strategies are significant factors in determining arc flash risk in 800 VDC systems. It finds that overall risk can remain low and, in some cases, comparable with typical AC distribution, including when standard time-based protection devices are used. Schneider Electric says the work builds on its previous arc flash safety testing and forms part of its work on 800 VDC power architectures for higher-density rack systems. The company has also conducted testing of live-swap power capabilities in 800 VDC systems for maintenance applications. The full findings have been published in the new whitepaper, titled DC Arc Flash Analysis: A Practical Study on 800 VDC in Data Centers. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

AVK secures $1bn investment from Partners Group

AVK, a provider of power systems and electrical infrastructure for data centres, has secured an initial investment of more than $1 billion (£743 million) from global private markets investment firm Partners Group, which will take a majority stake in the UK-based power infrastructure company. The investment is intended to support AVK's expansion and fund the development of on-site power infrastructure for data centre operators under an 'energy as a service' (EaaS) model. Ben Pritchard will retain a significant shareholding and continue as Chief Executive Officer, alongside the existing leadership team. The investment is the first external funding round in AVK's 36-year history, with it continuing to supply prime, standby, and dispatchable power infrastructure for data centres and other critical applications. AVK says the funding will support its strategy of funding, developing, owning, and operating on-site power infrastructure, including microgrids, whilst the company currently has a pipeline of more than 2GW. Under the EaaS model, data centre operators can procure energy through power purchase agreements (PPAs), rather than directly funding and managing large-scale on-site energy developments. AVK's existing operations are supported by its manufacturing facility in Haydock, in the North West of England, and a workforce of nearly 400 people across 10 hubs in the UK and Europe. Ben Pritchard, Chief Executive Officer at AVK, comments, “Speed-to-power is now a defining opportunity for European data centre operators. Our new partnership with Partners Group will allow us to meet our customers exactly where the market demands. "From the moment we launched our first microgrid, we recognised the challenge and the opportunity facing developers and operators globally. By adding capital to our power solutions portfolio, we can turn speed-to-power from an ambition into action. "I am excited to lead AVK into this new chapter alongside Partners Group, leveraging the firm's deep operational expertise in the data centre sector and power markets.” Investment targets on-site power infrastructure Partners Group has already invested in decentralised energy and data centres in Europe, including the pan-Nordic data centre platform atNorth. It also has experience investing in behind-the-meter energy infrastructure for data centres in the USA. Nicholas Pepper, Managing Director, Infrastructure at Partners Group, notes, "AI is driving one of the largest infrastructure buildouts in decades, and access to power is becoming a defining constraint. This constraint and lengthening connection queues are critical bottlenecks to growth in the European data centre market, which on-site generation can alleviate by accelerating speed-to-power. "AVK, with its deep expertise, track record, and pan-European footprint, is well positioned to address this issue as a one-stop-shop for data centre power solutions. We see an exciting growth opportunity for AVK and we look forward to supporting the management team in its next chapter." Earlier in 2026, AVK energised a large-scale data centre microgrid at Pure DC's campus in Dublin. The company says the project was the first of its scale for a data centre microgrid in Europe. For more from AVK, click here.

Vultr scales AI infrastructure with new AMD GPUs

Vultr, a privately held cloud infrastructure company, has announced plans to offer the AMD Instinct MI455X GPU, alongside support for the AMD Helios rack-scale architecture, with pre-orders now open ahead of availability in Q4. The cloud infrastructure provider says the platform is designed for AI training, inference, fine tuning, agentic AI, and high-performance computing (HPC). According to the company, the infrastructure is intended to support organisations moving AI workloads from development into production, particularly those requiring high-memory, rack-scale computing. J.J. Kardwell, CEO of Vultr, comments, "Customers are rapidly moving from AI experimentation into production and, increasingly, that means agentic and inference-heavy workloads that require infrastructure built for scale. "The AMD Instinct MI455X and Helios rack-scale architectures give our customers the flexibility, control, and price-to-performance they need to scale their AI initiatives. Making this architecture available across Vultr's global infrastructure enables teams to build and deploy without constraints." AI infrastructure targets large-scale workloads The AMD Instinct MI455X GPU is based on AMD's CDNA architecture and features HBM4 memory, increased memory bandwidth, and support for low-precision AI data types. The Helios rack-scale architecture supports up to 72 GPUs in a single deployment. Vultr says the platform will also support direct liquid cooling to improve thermal management and energy efficiency in higher-density deployments. The infrastructure is complemented by AMD's ROCm software platform and Pensando networking technology, which are designed to improve AI training, inference performance, and scalability. IDC forecasts a tenfold increase in the number and complexity of enterprise AI agents over the next five years, increasing demand for computing infrastructure capable of supporting repeated inference workloads. Dave McCarthy, Group Vice President, Cloud and Datacenter Infrastructure at IDC, notes, "As enterprises transition into the agentic era, the massive influx of complex, data-intensive workflows requires a fundamental shift in infrastructure design. "Vultr's deployment of the AMD Instinct MI455X GPU provides the massive memory capacity and rack-scale efficiency necessary to support the continuous inference loops that define next-generation AI workloads." Vultr says reserved capacity for deployments based on the AMD Instinct MI455X GPU and AMD Helios architectures is now available for pre-order, with deployments planned from 2027 through to 2028. For more from Vultr, click here.