Data Centres

Teraco to power its data centres with renewable energy

Teraco, a Digital Realty company and provider of interconnection platforms and vendor-neutral colocation data centres, has announced that it has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with South African based integrated energy aggregator, NOA, to supply wind powered renewable energy to Teraco’s data centres. Teraco, which announced late last year that it had commenced construction on its own 120MW solar PV plant in the Free State, has signed this PPA to complement its renewable energy programme with wind power. The agreement provides Teraco and NOA with the flexibility to grow renewable energy offtake as both companies evolve to meet increasing demand. Wind is a key renewable energy resource for data centres. In South Africa, wind generates power through the night and into the early morning, making it an excellent complementary source of power to solar, which is generated during daylight hours. The combination enables far greater levels of renewable energy coverage. Bryce Allan, Head of Sustainability at Teraco, says, “The conclusion of this PPA supports our sustainable growth pathway. We appreciate NOA’s unique and collaborative approach in complementing Teraco’s renewable energy supply and look forward to a long partnership as we journey towards our 100% renewable energy goal.” Karel Cornelissen, CEO at NOA, says, “NOA is proud to deliver our suite of renewable energy products to support Africa’s largest data centre operator’s ambitious renewable energy goals. Teraco is an industry leader and continues to set the bar high for renewable energy initiatives across South Africa’s data centre industry. By aggregating renewable energy from our fleet of generation facilities and third party IPPs, we are well positioned to provide tailored and flexible solutions to help companies, like Teraco, reduce their carbon footprint.” Under the terms of the deal, NOA will wheel renewable energy from various wind projects to Teraco’s facilities. The renewable energy wheeled to Teraco’s facilities will complement Teraco’s solar programme, maximising renewable energy across Teraco’s data centres. These projects will ramp up progressively over time with the first power anticipated to be wheeled in 2026. Wheeling renewable energy across electrical grids enables power to be moved from a renewable energy producer in outlying areas via existing transmission and distribution systems to end-users located in urban areas. It also enables the deployment of renewable energy projects to areas with high energy yield to maximise renewable energy generation potential. “This is an exciting time for Teraco as we take another significant step towards meeting our 100% renewable energy ambitions and those of our clients,” says Jan Hnizdo, CEO at Teraco. “We’re looking forward to these new wind generation facilities coming online and adding much needed new renewable energy production to South Africa’s grid.” For more from Teraco, click here.

Schneider Electric increases DC sustainability for insurance group

Schneider Electric, a specialist in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has worked with its EcoXpert Partners, on365, to deliver a series of data centre and critical power projects to Markerstudy Group - one of the fastest growing providers of general insurance services for more than eight million customers across the UK. Working together with on365, a provider of resilient and energy efficient critical physical infrastructure and utility services, Schneider Electric and its longstanding EcoXpert Partners devised an upgrade and consolidation strategy for Markerstudy’s electrical infrastructure, data centres and networking systems. Equal consideration was given to the need for increased reliability, security, and energy efficiency, while helping the organisation to better manage and scale its distributed systems. As part of the strategy, the Group chose to standardise on key components from Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure for Data Centres portfolio, including its Galaxy V-series three phase UPS’s and APC Smart-UPS RT single phase UPS, EcoStruxure Row Data Center solution, InRow DX cooling units and Chilled Water systems, APC Racks and PDUs and EcoStruxure IT Expert DCIM software. Additionally, on365 secured a strategic five-year, Managed Service Level Agreement (SLA) to manage and maintain all critical power and cooling infrastructure on behalf of the insurance group – helping not only to improve the efficiency and resiliency of its systems, but to reduce its carbon emissions. Sustainable expansion Markerstudy Group was founded in 2001 and today serves over eight million customers, employing more than 7,000 people across 40 brands. In 2020 it acquired Co-op Insurance’s underwriting business, followed by BGL Insurance and Lloyd’s broker Clegg Gifford in 2021, and Atlanta Insurance in 2024. This expansion presented several technological challenges, which included integrating multiple technology systems, while managing a diverse portfolio of digital infrastructure, including several data centres and IT systems distributed across its offices and customer support centres. The Group is fiercely committed to sustainability, aiming to reduce the energy usage and carbon emissions across its operations. To address these goals and stay updated on new technological advancements, it continues to collaborate with on365 and Schneider Electric, while working with net zero consultancy, Energise, and mapping its operations to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), which earned it a Bronze sustainability rating from EcoVadis. Modernisation strategy Markerstudy’s strategy to standardise on Schneider Electric technologies, and to modernise its infrastructure portfolio began in 2012, when it first commissioned on365 to design and build a data centre at its Chesterfield contact centre. The data centre utilised Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Row Data Centre solution, together with InRow DX cooling units to maximise energy efficiency, and minimise the threat of downtime from thermal shutdowns. During 2023, on365 implemented a new main substation Transformer and Primary Switchboard to replace 30-year-old, legacy electrical equipment. Designed using IoT-enabled components for ease of monitoring and management, the new system has future-proofed Markerstudy for the integration of renewable energy at its offices, while providing key infrastructure for new EV chargers. Additionally, on365 provided a turnkey data centre solution at Markerstudy’s Tunbridge Wells headquarters. To meet its fast-growing capacity requirements while supporting the business’ expansion, the data centre has undergone a significant technology refresh to increase the efficiency of its cooling systems. It is also using Schneider Electric Galaxy VS UPSs to enhance the resiliency of the site. Outside of its main data centres, on365 has improved the resilience of Markerstudy’s edge computing environments across its regional office portfolio and call centres. This includes the installation of Galaxy VS UPS equipment at its Manchester office to support the critical network and the unified communications connections within its main data centres, as well as APC Smart-UPS UPS to protect the network racks on different floors of the building. Markerstudy was also an early adopter of Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Data Center Expert software and now uses Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IT Expert DCIM solution, coupled with a digital services program from on365, to provide real-time monitoring, remote management and maintenance for its critical infrastructure. Enhanced control By working with on365 and Schneider Electric, Markerstudy has been able to establish greater control over its IT and network environments. This has enabled it to monitor and manage them for better efficiency and to lower the emissions associated with data processing and storage, as well as those associated with its IT and data centre services. In standardising on Schneider Electric Galaxy V-series UPS and APC Smart-UPS, Markerstudy has opted for best-in-class levels of efficiency and reliability, while leveraging Green Premium technologies to help with carbon reporting. Additionally, the energy savings resulting from its new Transformer and Switchboard have contributed to Markerstudy’s sustainability ambitions, reducing the carbon footprint of its IT operations, while fast-tracking the transition of its van fleets to EVs. “The Markerstudy board has consistently supported our investment in more efficient data centre physical infrastructure, enabling the IT Team to improve the PUE of our data centres, and accommodate our technology requirements as the company continues its growth trajectory,” says Nick Ovenden, Chief Technology Officer at Markerstudy Insurance. “Working with on365 and Schneider Electric has been central to the execution of our digital infrastructure and upgrade strategy, as well as meeting the sustainability ambitions for our IT services.” “From day one we’ve set out to work as an extension of the Markerstudy Insurance Group,” comments Carl Richardson, Technology Manager at on365. ‘By understanding their aims and objectives and immersing ourselves in the culture of their technical team, we now deliver a nationwide service which supports the design and deployment of efficient and reliable infrastructure, and the delivery of key insurance products for its UK customers.” “Today’s data centres and IT technologies are vital to support the UK’s thriving enterprise sector,” adds Mark Yeeles, Vice President, Secure Power division, Schneider Electric UK and Ireland. “Our work together with on365 showcases the important role of data centres as critical national infrastructure and demonstrates how our ecosystem can ensure customers like Markerstudy remain at the forefront of UK Insurance services while achieving their sustainability goals.” Schneider Electric’s case study with Markerstudy Insurance Group and on365 is now available for download. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

CtrlS launches data centre park in Chennai

CtrlS Datacenters, Asia’s largest Rated-4 data centre operator, has launched its new data centre park in Chennai, India. A cutting-edge facility to bolster the region's digital infrastructure, the Chennai Datacenter Park is engineered to meet the highest global standards and will further strengthen India's position as a leading data hub in the region. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (the state Chennai is located in), Thiru. M.K. Stalin, unveiled this state-of-the-art facility in the presence of Dr. Palanivel Thiagarajan, Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services, Tamil Nadu, and CtrlS Datacenters Chairman, Sridhar Pinnapureddy. The launch coincides with Chennai's rapidly growing status as a hub for technology and connectivity. The city's rise is backed by Tamil Nadu's strong industrial framework, reliable power supply, and strong global connectivity, all of which have drawn considerable digital investments. According to industry estimates, the city’s data centre capacity is expected to double by 2026, with ongoing projects set to add 2.6 million square feet (134 MW) by 2026 and an additional 2.5 million square feet (130 MW) planned for 2027–2028. As of June 2024, Chennai’s operational data centre capacity stood at 108 MW. Building on these strengths, the Park includes two data centre buildings with a total IT load capacity of 72 MW, and earthquake resistance up to 7.5 on the Richter Scale. The facility is also flood-resistant by virtue of being situated 14 metres above sea level - with an additional 2.2 metres of campus elevation. Thiru M. K. Stalin says, "I am delighted to inaugurate CtrlS’ Chennai Datacenter Park, a cutting-edge facility that strengthens Tamil Nadu’s position as a global tech hub. Our strategic advantages and progressive policies attract industry leaders like CtrlS. Congratulations to the CtrlS team on this achievement." With a direct investment of approximately Rs 4,000 crore and an indirect investment of roughly Rs 50,000 crore, the initiative is set to create 500 direct and 9,000 indirect jobs - fuelling local economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities. Furthermore, as the facility reaches full capacity, it is projected to generate significant GST revenue, amounting to about Rs 200 crore directly and an additional Rs 3,000 crore indirectly each year. The state’s energy sector is also expected to benefit from an estimated power revenue of Rs 800 crore annually, reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s financial strength and commitment to sustainable industrial development. Equipped with a 230kV dedicated gas insulated substation (GIS) with a 120 MW capacity, the data centre park ensures a reliable power supply. The nine-zone security system and carrier-neutral infrastructure, with four fibre entry paths and direct, high-bandwidth links to cloud service providers, underline CtrlS' commitment to providing incredibly high levels of data security and connectivity. The Chennai Datacenter Park is also set to achieve LEED Platinum certification, reflecting its dedication to sustainable practices. Highlighting the significance of the milestone, Sridhar Pinnapureddy, Chairman, CtrlS Datacenters, comments, “The launch of our Chennai Datacenter Park signifies a crucial step in our goal to create a top-tier digital ecosystem that meets global standards. This cutting-edge facility demonstrates our dedication to safeguarding critical digital assets while accelerating the evolution of cloud-based services and data-driven innovation. We sincerely appreciate the support of the Tamil Nadu government and their role in cultivating a business-friendly atmosphere, which has been instrumental in drawing considerable regional investment. Together, we are not just establishing a data centre park - we are shaping the future of India’s digital landscape.” The facility is strategically located in the Ambattur Industrial Estate to provide excellent connectivity. For more from CtrlS Datacenters, click here.

Telehouse enables EXA to expand London services

Global data centre service provider, Telehouse International Corporation of Europe, has announced that EXA Infrastructure, a critical digital infrastructure platform provider, has expanded its London metro offering by installing two fully diverse, high fibre count cables in Telehouse South – Telehouse’s newest data centre located in London Docklands. This development builds on a highly successful 20-year partnership and confirms EXA Infrastructure’s full diversity from Telehouse South. It complements the company’s already extensive platform offering to the London market on both fibre and transmission. EXA is also on track to commission fully diverse and protected DWDM node at Telehouse South, deploying Infinera’s latest Flex technology, which will be able to support speeds up to 400G and spectrum. Will Scott, Vice President Sales at Telehouse Europe, says, “We’re thrilled that EXA is supporting Telehouse in providing complete diversity at our Telehouse South data centre, allowing us to expand the range of services we can offer to our UK customer-base. This continues a successful, decade-long partnership, and we look forward to further close collaboration with EXA as we foster innovation and enable businesses to embark on digital transformation at Telehouse South.” Steve Roberts, SVP, Strategic Investments and Product Management at EXA Infrastructure, says, “We are excited to continue working closely with Telehouse. This new investment will extend and complement the advanced services we already provide to the dynamic London market. Telehouse South is an ideal location for our expansion in fibre and transmission, enabling us to build on the several footprints we already have across the Telehouse Docklands campus. We plan further investment, enabling our customers to boost their growth.” First opened in 2022, Telehouse South is a key site for connectivity, supporting EXA Infrastructure’s investment in diverse fibre cables. The recent addition of two floors has provided an extra 5.4MW of IT capacity, bringing the facility’s total to 7.7MW across three floors. Its strategic location near the City and Canary Wharf ensures low-latency connectivity to London’s financial district. As with all Telehouse facilities in Docklands, 100% of the electricity procured for Telehouse South is obtained from renewable sources and is backed by UK renewable energy guarantees of origin (REGOs). For more from Telehouse, click here.

STT breaks ground on data centre campus in Johor

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), one of the world’s fastest-growing data centre providers, has announced the ground-breaking of the first data centre facility in the STT Johor data centre campus – STT Johor 1. The ceremony was officiated by Y.A.B. Dato' Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Chief Minister of Johor, underscoring the state’s commitment to advancing digital infrastructure and sustainable economic growth. STT GDC’s data centre campus is located within the Nusa Cemerlang Industrial Park in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, just 15 kilometres from Singapore. Spanning over 22 acres of land, the campus has a development potential of 120MW of IT load. Its prime location ensures seamless connectivity, including integration with STT Singapore 5, STT GDC’s regional interconnection hub. STT Johor 1 is the first facility to be built on campus, designed with an IT load capacity of 16MW, and is expected to be fully operational by end of 2026. Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), comments, "The ground-breaking of STT Johor 1 is a powerful testament of the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 in action. More than just a hyperscale data centre, it is a launchpad for innovation, talent development, and sustainable economic growth. MIDA remains steadfast in facilitating high-impact investments that drive technological advancements while ensuring inclusive progress. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to STT GDC on this momentous occasion and look forward to supporting its continued expansion as we build a thriving digital ecosystem in Malaysia together.” The prime location ensures seamless connectivity, including integration with STT Singapore 5, STT GDC’s regional interconnection hub. From its launch, STT Johor 1 will be ready to support the growing demand for cloud and high-performance computing. The facility is equipped to handle advanced computational workloads for enterprises, government agencies, and cloud service providers, capable of rapidly deploying resource-intensive applications across various industries. This will support cutting-edge research, complex simulations and data-driven decision-making processes. In addition to STT Singapore 5, STT Johor 1 will also be connected to STT Kuala Lumpur 1 and STT GDC’s other data centre interconnection hubs in Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines via a Data Centre Interconnect (DCI) service, providing customers in STT Johor 1 with highly reliable and seamless access to business opportunities in other major economies in the region. In alignment with Malaysia’s green ambitions, the STT Johor campus will be powered by renewable and low-carbon energy sources. STT GDC is in discussions with several renewable energy providers, such as Ditrolic Energy, to become the renewable electricity supplier for STT Johor 1's operations. This potential partnership underscores STT GDC's commitment to sustainable data centre practices and aligns with Malaysia's green energy goals. Clean energy solutions will play a crucial role in STT Johor 1's aim to achieve industry-leading energy efficiency and minimise its environmental footprint. STT GDC will also leverage advanced technologies to further optimise energy use, establishing the campus as a smart and sustainable data centre benchmark. STT GDC and the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to spearhead a comprehensive industry talent development initiative for the burgeoning data centre sector, aligning with the goals of the recently established Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). This partnership aims to create a robust pipeline of skilled professionals in sustainable data centre operations, positioning Johor as a hub for data centre expertise in Southeast Asia. This alliance underscores STT GDC's commitment to nurturing a skilled local workforce and supports the JS-SEZ's goal of creating skilled job opportunities and strengthening the digital economy. By supporting the growth of Malaysia's data centre industry and ensuring a steady supply of qualified experts, this initiative contributes to broader Singapore-Johor economic cooperation. It also positions Johor as a Southeast Asian hub for data centre expertise, enhancing the region's ability to attract global investments. Darryll Sinnappa, Country Head – Malaysia, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, comments, “The STT Johor data centre campus marks a significant milestone for STT GDC in our efforts to deliver advanced digital infrastructure that can play a role in contributing to Malaysia’s ambitions to grow their digital economy leadership in the region. Equally important is our commitment to developing local talent through our partnership with JTDC, which will create a skilled workforce to support this growth. Guided by our principles of sustainability, innovation, connectivity and community development, we look forward to STT Johor 1 playing a pivotal role in delivering tangible economic growth to the region, sustainably, while nurturing the next generation of data centre professionals.” Malaysia’s data centre market continues to experience remarkable growth, with a development pipeline of 1.4GW planned over the next five years, representing 264% growth. This expansion is expected to drive the industry's revenue to RM3.6 billion by 2025, solidifying Malaysia's position as a key player in the region's digital infrastructure landscape. For more from ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, click here.

Carrier introduces QuantumLeap for data centres

Carrier Global Corporation, a provider of intelligent climate and energy products, has unveiled Carrier QuantumLeap, a comprehensive suite of purpose-built innovations designed to support the rapidly expanding data centre industry. With the global data centre cooling market projected to reach $20 billion (£15.8bn) by 2029, Carrier is positioning itself for significant growth by expanding its portfolio of advanced, energy-efficient cooling products, creating customisable aftermarket programmes, scaling manufacturing and engineering capacity, and collaborating with global technology experts. "Carrier QuantumLeap represents the next evolution in data centre thermal management, integrating our most advanced cooling, controls and service solutions to deliver a highly efficient, state-of-the art cooling system tailored to each customer’s needs,” says Christian Senu, Executive Director, Data Centers, Carrier. "With AI-driven growth, our innovative solutions - such as the integration of direct-to-chip liquid cooling with traditional HVAC cooling systems optimised through intelligent controls platforms - allow data centres to maximise efficiency and reliability. AI will continue to strain power grids, increasing demand for intelligent, integrated thermal management solutions that Carrier is uniquely positioned to deliver.” Carrier QuantumLeap provides a fully integrated suite of products to manage the entire thermal lifecycle of data centres. From chip to chiller, Carrier can deliver end-to-end thermal management through intelligent cooling, digital controls, and predictive monitoring and service, ensuring real-time optimisation, adaptability and efficiency across data centre operations. This scalable system-wide approach maximises performance and energy efficiency in even the most demanding environments. Included in the suite of products are the following: Chillers and air handling technologies: Carrier provides a range of next-generation chiller products, including screw and centrifugal compression systems with magnetic bearing technology, and custom air handling systems. Designed for seamless integration into the broader thermal ecosystem, these high-efficiency solutions are 30% more efficient than prior generations of products. They feature integrated free cooling, elevated chilled water temperatures and optimised energy use, ensuring consistent performance to meet the demands of AI-driven computing. Liquid cooling: Carrier’s latest innovation, the Cooling Distribution Unit (CDU), enables seamless integration into direct-to-chip (DTC) liquid cooling systems for high-density environments. Differentiated controls solutions: Carrier’s advanced Automated Logic building management system and digital platform serve as the intelligence hub of this interconnected ecosystem, empowering operators with unparalleled transparency and precision control. Data centre infrastructure management: Today, Carrier Nlyte's data centre management, optimisation, and compliance reporting solutions are deployed in more than 300 data centres. These facilities, spanning enterprise, colocation and edge environments, are efficiently managing and optimising over one million racks and 10 million data points using Nlyte's innovative technology and delivering energy savings, cost reductions and improved resiliency. Predictive maintenance and service: Carrier’s global service network, supported by a network of skilled technicians and factory-authorised spare parts, provides operational reliability and proactive issue resolution. In addition, Carrier’s digital platform, Abound, provides real-time insights, remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance capabilities – enabling data-driven, outcome-based results that minimise downtime, maximise uptime and enhance performance across the data centre ecosystem. Carrier’s acceleration in the data centre market is driven by growth investments in emerging cooling technologies, expanded capabilities and strategic partnerships: Investment in Strategic Thermal Labs (STL): In 2024, Carrier Ventures invested in STL, a provider of liquid cooling technologies. Strategic Thermal Labs, LLC (STL) is an Austin-area heat transfer research and development company with industry-renowned expertise in data centre liquid cooling. Building on its strong reputation, STL is a trusted partner to some of the largest server manufacturers and data centre operators, providing valuable insights into both current and next-generation data centre cooling technologies. Expanded manufacturing and engineering capacity: Carrier expects to double its commercial HVAC manufacturing capacity by the end of the year and optimise its engineering lab capacity to develop and scale next-generation cooling solutions to meet surging demand while driving continued innovation. For more from Carrier, click here.

DataVolt to build data centre facility in Riyadh

DataVolt, a developer, investor, and operator of sustainable digital infrastructure, and The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), have agreed land lease terms for the development of a state-of-the-art, AI-ready data centre in Riyadh. The 55,000 square metre plot is located in east Riyadh’s First Technology Park. The data centre facility will be designed for advanced AI processing and will serve growing demand from hyperscalers, cloud and content providers, and enterprises in the KSA. DataVolt will build a sustainable data centre facility on the plot with cutting-edge cooling systems, and with an advanced circularity approach. The data centre facility will also be powered by optimised energy solutions. Rajit Nanda, CEO at DataVolt, says, “We are providing mission-critical digital infrastructure that will support the KSA’s position as a global leader in AI while offering customers sustainable data centre solutions. Over many months, we have worked in collaboration with MODON to develop this project and we are proud to move forward and deliver another state-of-the-art facility. Every step we take directly aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and supports the government’s goal of diversification and sustainability across the economy and society as a whole.” DataVolt’s investors and team have successfully developed and operated over 20GW of renewable energy assets across nine countries, deploying scalable and cost-effective solutions. Its unique approach increases operational efficiencies, reduces carbon emissions, and enables customers to grow their digital footprint while meeting sustainability goals. Rajit continues, “The opportunity in artificial intelligence is accelerating, and we are focused on both enabling AI innovation while ensuring we minimise its impact on the environment. We have the technology, expertise and talent to deliver trusted sustainable data centre facilities and ensure that society benefits from a cleaner and greener digital economy.” DataVolt has demonstrated its technical, development, delivery and operational capabilities as part of the assessment process to deliver sustainable, high performance data centres. This development is part of DataVolt’s $5 billion investment in the Kingdom, which supports digital infrastructure delivery. For more from DataVolt, click here.

The benefits of thermal imaging for data centres

Data centre maintenance teams have a big share in safeguarding the critical resource that customers and businesses depend upon. However, by utilising thermal imaging products from FLIR enable them to spot issues at an early stage before they turn into major problems. Guaranteeing uptime has become increasingly complex for data centres. With so much mechanical, electrical and electronic infrastructure under one roof, overheating is a major concern - not only because the infrastructure is not using the energy efficiently, but also because overheating can cause a complete shutdown of servers, impacting users around the world, or even data or equipment loss. The maintenance of a data centre today involves much more than IT operations. Power distribution systems and cooling infrastructure are also essential for keeping the data centre up and running, and for preventing mechanical or electrical failures and resulting outages. Many systems that are critical for the data centre’s operation heat up before they fail. Temperature is an important indicator of energy consumption and equipment operation, which is why infrared thermography (thermal imaging) is an ideal tool to inspect power consumption, electrical installations, cooling equipment and computing hardware. Periodic inspections with a thermal imaging camera have become indispensable in predictive and preventive maintenance programs. Thermal cameras help maintenance staff to detect problems in electrical switchgear, motors, HVAC infrastructure, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDU), batteries and generator equipment, and all electrical devices that feed the server systems, before these problems turn into serious failures or downtime. With cloud computing becoming the new normal, and as data centres are growing to great scales, the need for higher computing density and power efficiency is growing as well. Data centre owners are seeking ways to increase their capacity, but they also want to reduce costs and energy. Thermal imaging can give them important information on how to optimise energy and space requirements, without causing overheating. In short, regular inspections with thermal imaging cameras can help maintenance staff to: • Find and fix hidden problems before they turn into unplanned downtime.• Reduce the chance of component degradation going unnoticed due to overloaded circuits or looseconnections.• Prevent equipment breakdowns.• Optimise energy management and space allocation. What is thermal imaging? A thermal camera is a non-contact device that detects infrared energy (heat) and converts it into a visual image. Infrared radiation lies between the visible and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Any object that has a temperature above absolute zero (-273.15°C or 0 Kelvin) emits radiation in the infrared region. Even objects that are considered to be very cold, such as ice cubes, emit infrared radiation. Thermal cameras turn this invisible energy into something that can be seen on a screen and measured. The benefits of thermal imaging Although there are other technologies available to help measure temperatures – infrared thermometers or thermocouples to name only two - FLIR tells us that no other tool is as powerful and efficient as its thermal imaging cameras.Unlike IR thermometers or thermocouples, thermal imaging cameras enable users to scan large areas for hot spots or temperature differences. Without a thermal camera, it’s easy to miss critical parts like air leakages, areas with insufficient insulation or water intrusion. A thermal imaging camera can scan entire electrical installations, buildings, heating or HVAC installations. FLIR claims that it never misses a potential problem area, no matter how small this might be. They also allow users to compare temperatures of components in the same environment more easily.Maintenance of data centre installations can be labour-intensive, but because thermal imaging cameras can easily see larger surfaces, they can potentially reduce maintenance time, speed up inspection rounds, and still see all impending failures before they turn into costly defects. Also, thermal imaging is a non-contact technology. This is a safe method, because maintenance personnel can keep a distance without having to touch hot items. But it also means that inspections can easily be carried out while the equipment is still running or under load, so there’s no need to foresee costly downtime. Some inspections, for example rotary UPS systems, can only be done during operation, which makes the thermal imaging camera an ideal tool for online inspections.Thermal imaging cameras allow users to make professional, more insightful reports of their inspections that also look great for management and customers. Users can compare current inspections with historical data and discover trends, while features like templates, batch processing, image editing and route planning further enhance the user-friendliness of today’s reporting solutions.

New electricity connection policy for Irish data centres

The CRU in Ireland has released a report on laying out a potential pathway for connection applications for new data centre customers to the electricity grid - with due regard to security of supply and network constraints while minimising, where possible, potential impacts on national renewable energy targets and carbon emissions. In response to this, Chris Collins, Schneider Electric’s Country President for Ireland, has given his thoughts on how Ireland can have a successful energy transition without compromising economic growth; along with how this requires government support, grid infrastructure expansion, decentralisation through microgrids, and large consumers acting as both energy consumers and producers to accelerate renewable adoption and resilience. Chris comments, “Solving the energy transition, without deprioritising economic growth, requires an all-hands approach with build-out of grid infrastructure, increases in grid scale renewable generation and storage, and large consumers coming to the table as both consumers and producers of energy as part of a future, interactive energy system. “Longer term, there needs to be greater encouragement from the Government to press ahead with renewable projects which can build more resiliency into Ireland’s energy system. Ireland needs a smarter, more decentralised grid based on a network of microgrids – self-contained sites that allow you to generate your own electricity using a mix of renewables – to cope with surges in power demand. “By doing so, we can transition from one central point of electrical generation to literally thousands of points of electrical generation, effectively transforming homes and businesses, including data centres, into producers of energy. This brings large consumers, in particular, to the table as prosumers, and expands localised generation and storage through microgrids. Microgrids can be rolled out at a quicker pace than national grid upgrades, and at a fraction of the cost. It’s crucial to help us move away from fossil fuels and opens the door for more on-site renewables and storage that integrates with the grid.” For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Aligned Data Centers to open new Texas facility

Aligned Data Centers, a technology infrastructure company offering innovative, sustainable and adaptive scale data centres, has announced its expansion in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area with a new data centre campus in Mansfield, Texas. Aligned's DFW-03, situated on a 27-acre site with an on-site substation, is strategically positioned to meet rising demand for AI, cloud and enterprise applications. Initial capacity is anticipated to be available as early as Q4 2025, providing customers with rapid access to critical infrastructure. “The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex provides the ideal foundation for Aligned's continued expansion,” says Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned. “We are thrilled to bring our innovative data centre solutions to Mansfield. Our focus will be on delivering the high-performance infrastructure our customers require to power their AI / cloud workloads and support the highest-density GPUs, with near-term power availability.” Aligned is strategically positioned to lead the next phase of data centre development. With over a decade of innovation in cooling technologies and 5,000+ MW of future capacity, the company is uniquely equipped to deliver the speed, scale, and quality of infrastructure customers require to succeed in this rapidly evolving landscape. Aligned's DFW-03 leverages Aligned's proven adaptive modular infrastructure, accelerating deployments through prefabrication of components and on-site delivery of critical equipment. This flexible design approach minimises cost and risk while enhancing sustainability and quality. It also empowers customers with the flexibility to optimise their deployments for various workloads, including AI, cloud, and enterprise applications, by tailoring density, resiliency, and redundancy. The data centre also features Aligned’s proprietary air and liquid cooling technologies, enabling customers to easily transition from air-cooled to liquid-cooled systems, or deploy hybrid cooling within the same data hall, to accommodate densities upwards of 350 kW per rack. As part of Aligned’s long-standing commitment to environmental and community stewardship, the company also established the 'Roots for the Future Fund' in partnership with the City of Mansfield. This fund supports city development, as well as the planting of native trees in the local area, providing shade, improving air quality, and enhancing the overall sustainability of the community. "Aligned Data Centers has continued to show that it's more than a business with a location in Mansfield," said City of Mansfield Mayor, Michael Evans. "With the Roots for the Future Fund, the company is adding another stitch to the fabric of Mansfield as a neighbour and community leader." Andrew Schaap concludes, “We are incredibly grateful for the collaborative spirit of the City of Mansfield, as well as the warm welcome we’ve received from the Mansfield community. This partnership has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. Aligned is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and looks forward to our continued collaboration with the community to support local initiatives and contribute to the continued growth, prosperity and sustainability of the region." For more from Aligned Data Centers, click here.