Thursday, May 1, 2025

Data Centres


Hudson InterXchange enhances data centre capacity
Hudson InterXchange (Hudson IX), 60 Hudson Street’s data centre provider, has enhanced its footprint and capabilities with an addition of a 2MW data hall, with a portion of this new capacity designed to deliver up to 40kW of capacity per cabinet - expanding its space to support high density IT workloads. This latest expansion, integrated into Hudson IX’s sixth floor data centre, is designed to meet evolving market demands - supporting high-density loads, with a portion of the new capacity purpose-built for AI and machine learning applications, while also catering to a broad range of customer workloads. “Our goal has always been to anticipate and respond to the needs of our customers,” says Arthur Valhuerdi, Chief Technology Officer of Hudson IX. “This expansion reflects our commitment to delivering world-class, high-performance infrastructure - offering scalable configurations that support everything from a single cabinet to custom cages, in one of New York City’s most connected buildings.” The new and expanded data hall will offer flexible deployment options including single cabinet, multi-cabinet, and bespoke cage configurations, allowing Hudson IX to serve customers of all sizes - from hyperscale-ready platforms to agile enterprise solutions. Customers in the new space will benefit from direct access to over 300 networks and service providers in the building, a hallmark of Hudson IX’s connectivity ecosystem. As part of its ongoing investment in 60 Hudson Street, Hudson IX now spans nearly 173,000 square feet across multiple floors and maintains direct utility access from Con Edison, with a total power capacity of 15MW. This ensures operational resilience and power availability to support today’s compute-intensive demands. The new data hall, designed specifically to support high density IT workloads, will be ready to be moved into by November 2025. For more from Hudson InterXchange, click here.

Start Campus achieves OCP certification for Portugal data centres
Start Campus, a company focused on designing, building and operating a new generation of sustainable data centres, announced today that its operational SIN01 and planned SIN02 data centres have been officially certified as Open Compute Project (OCP) Ready v2 for Hyperscale data centres. These are the first facilities in Southern Europe, and just the third and fourth in Europe, to meet this new benchmark. Start Campus says that the rigorous assessment underscores the company's commitment to open standards, sustainability, and scalable digital infrastructure. The OCP Ready certification, granted by the Open Compute Project Foundation, recognises that SIN01 and SIN02 meet the highest standards set for hyperscale data centres and AI/HPC workloads. This certification is a mark of trust, providing a competitive edge and a strategic advantage by ensuring faster deployments, reduced total cost of ownership, and seamless integration with cutting-edge technologies such as AI and high-performance computing (HPC). The OCP Ready v2 facilities are designed with openness, modularity, and interoperability at their core, delivering superior energy efficiency and environmental leadership. To achieve OCP Ready certification, Start Campus had to undergo a detailed OCP Ready v2 assessment of its operational SIN01 and planned SIN02 facilities, which assess critical factors such as logistics, site access, security, base building infrastructure, and network connectivity. These comprehensive assessments ensure the facilities meet the specific needs of hyperscale companies and align with both OCP standards and industry best practices. This certification confirms that Start Campus’ data centres are optimised to support hyperscale demands and future-proofed for the evolving digital landscape. “OCP Ready certification means our clients can confidently deploy today’s most advanced compute infrastructure, knowing the foundation is built for tomorrow,” says Rob Dunn, CEO of Start Campus. “This achievement is not just a milestone for Start Campus, but a win for hyperscale, cloud, and AI/HPC-driven companies looking to secure their future in Europe in readily available and large-scale data centres.” Located on the south-western edge of Europe, SINES DC is one of the continent’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. The SIN01 facility, operational since Q4 2024, delivers up to26 MW of IT capacity, while SIN02, ready to be built for delivery as early as in 2026, will add another 180 MW. These facilities are part of Start Campus’s 1.2 GW SINES Data Campus, built from the ground up to support AI-native workloads, liquid cooling, and high-density compute environments. Both SIN01 and SIN02 are powered by 100% renewable energy and feature an innovative seawater cooling system, enabling them to operate at a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.1 and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) of 0 - impressive metrics that demonstrate Start Campus’ commitment to environmental responsibility without compromising performance. This certification was co-led by OCP Foundation team members, Mark Dansie and Raúl Àlvarez, working within the Data Centre Facilities Project at the OCP. Mark Dansie, OCP Ready Facilities Program Co-Lead, comments, “The certification of Start Campus’ SIN01 and SIN02 facilities as OCP Ready for Hyperscale is a pivotal moment for the European data centre landscape. By aligning with the new v2 specifications, Start Campus demonstrates how strategic facility design can deliver on the evolving demands of hyperscale deployments. It’s a blueprint for how sustainability, performance, and openness can come together to meet the future of compute.” Raúl Àlvarez, European Market Development Manager, adds, “Start Campus’s OCP Ready v2 certification not only highlights its technical excellence, but also its alignment with the OCP Community’s vision of interoperable, efficient, and scalable data centre environments. The SIN01 and SIN02 facilities showcase how the latest global standards can be deployed locally to accelerate digital infrastructure and support the next generation of AI and cloud-native workloads.” This news follows the successful inauguration of SIN01, the first operational facility within the company’s 1.2-gigawatt (GW) Sines Data Campus. For more from Start Campus, click here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Airedale launches AI cooling for data centres
Airedale by Modine, a critical cooling specialist, is now offering an AI-enhanced version of its Cooling System Optimizer. The company believes that the release marks a tangible advancement in cooling and efficiency for high-density data centres. Cooling AI delivers real-time adaptability, predictive intelligence and significant energy savings in response to global data centre industry demand for high-performance, high-efficiency control systems. The patent-pending AI technology utilises a hybrid deep learning model, leveraging machine learning, neural networks and digital twins to maximise efficiency and reduce energy consumption, and enhance operational stability for hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data centres. The Cooling AI system continuously analyses cooling demands, optimises system operations and anticipates future conditions. It works as a supervisory layer to the Optimizer, allowing the building management system (BMS) to handle baseline monitoring functions, with its predictive AI model making proactive adjustments. This ensures the entire system learns from historical data and adheres to the physical laws governing HVAC behaviour. Cooling AI can reduce energy consumption by up to 40%, improving power usage effectiveness (PUE) and driving sustainability gains. Chiller and fan performance is synchronised within the AI-driven data centre cooling control system, improving cooling efficiency and reducing energy use. Furthermore, the reduction in mechanical stress as a result of reduced compressor cycling can extend the equipment life cycle, as well as lower maintenance costs. "As AI-driven computing accelerates, the demand for smarter, scalable and highly efficient cooling infrastructure has never been higher, and it isn't set to stop any time soon," says Reece Thomas, Controls General Manager at Airedale by Modine. "Power densities rise and sustainability expectations will continue to increase, and data centres need cooling solutions that can evolve with them. By embedding AI directly into the control architecture, we are delivering more than just efficiency gains. We are enabling a future where cooling adapts in real time, anticipates challenges before they arise, and continuously improves over time. This is the next frontier in sustainable, high-performance data centre cooling." The new system joins Airedale by Modine's broader suite of cooling technologies designed to meet the needs of the modern data centre. From high-efficiency chillers, precision cooling units and modular fan walls to intelligent controls and airflow management systems, Airedale's solutions are designed to optimise efficiency, reduce energy consumption and enable scalable cooling across the entire data centre ecosystem. Cooling AI is available as a new system or retrofitted to an existing Airedale by Modine Cooling System Optimizer. For more from Airedale by Modine, click here.

Mission Critical Group acquires DVM Power + Control
Mission Critical Group (MCG), a provider of innovative products specialising in design, manufacturing, delivery and service of electrical system solutions, has announced that it has acquired DVM Manufacturing (DVM Power + Control), a manufacturer of low- and medium-voltage electrical distribution equipment. The acquisition significantly expands MCG’s manufacturing footprint and service capabilities in electrical systems for data centres, industrial facilities and other mission critical applications. With 350,000 square feet of production space in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Connecticut, DVM expands MCG’s footprint to over one million square feet of manufacturing capacity. The acquisition also strengthens MCG’s field services, drives innovation, and enhances technical expertise by adding DVM’s skilled workforce, providing customers with more solutions and stronger support. DVM designs and produces low- and medium-voltage electrical distribution equipment, including switchboards, switchgear, relay panels, power distribution units (PDUs), bypasses, power/cooling module 'skid' manufacturing and control systems. Its Naugatuck, Connecticut facility specialises in retrofits, breaker rebuilds and switchgear modernisation, further bolstering MCG’s services and power offerings. “DVM’s expertise advances MCG’s manufacturing and aftermarket services, driving growth and customer satisfaction for our innovative, high-quality solutions,” says Jeff Drees, CEO of Mission Critical Group. “With DVM’s added capacity and technical strengths, we are also expanding our geographic reach, boosting product development and optimising power service offerings to better support data centres and other mission critical environments.” Robert Ricci, CEO of DVM Power + Control, adds, “This partnership is a natural fit, built on a shared commitment to innovation, excellence and customer value. Having worked with MCG’s leadership for 30 years, I can attest to their deep industry knowledge and strategic expertise. This collaboration expands our resources, enhances engineering capabilities and improves career growth, ensuring a stronger future for our team.” DVM will operate as a Mission Critical Group Company alongside JTS and Point Eight Power, continuing to elevate MCG’s leadership in electrical system solutions. As part of the transition, Ricci will continue to lead DVM as its President and oversee MCG’s low- and medium-voltage electrical equipment manufacturing. With five acquisitions in two years, MCG says that this latest addition marks another milestone in its rapid growth, while reinforcing its commitment to innovation and excellence in mission critical solutions. For more from Mission Critical Group, click here.



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