Data Centres

Eaton and Siemens Energy to join forces

Intelligent power management company Eaton, and Siemens Energy, one of the world’s leading energy technology companies, have announced a fast-track approach to building data centres with integrated onsite power. They intend to address urgent market needs by offering reliable, grid-independent energy supplies and standardised modular systems to facilitate swift data centre construction and deployment. The collaboration will enable simultaneous construction of data centres and associated on-site power generation with grid connection and the integration of renewables to meet any regional regulatory requirements. This aims to provide data centre owners and developers with choices they don’t have at present to enable them to build and run new data centres. Siemens Energy’s modular and scalable power plant concept is designed to be tailored to the specific needs of data centre operators. The standard configuration generates 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity featuring SGT-800 gas turbines, redundancy, and additional battery storage systems. Based on its modular approach, the size of the plant can be scaled up and down. In the future, it could also operate in a carbon-neutral manner, provided hydrogen is available and a part of the data centre’s sustainability strategy. The Siemens Energy concept also includes an optional emission-free, clean air grid connection to be installed either during construction or as a retrofit. This feature would enable data centres to provide grid services. Eaton will provide customers with electrical equipment such as medium voltage switchgear, low voltage switchgear, UPS, busways, structural support, racks and containment systems, engineering services, and the software offerings needed to protect and enable IT loads from the medium-voltage grid to the chip, as well as help accelerate building and commissioning data centres with skidded and modular designs. Cyrille Brisson, Global Segment Leader, Data Centers, Eaton, says, “Our approach of letting customers pick the right balance of energy sources is very flexible and construction to start-up time is swift, with options to reduce emissions in both the short and long term. Crucially, our approach offers data centre owners and developers the opportunity to build capacity and bring it online fast in any location where they have land available that is close to gas, water, and fibre.” Andreas Pistauer, Global Head of Sales, Siemens Energy’s Gas Services Business Area, states, “We offer hyperscalers, co-locators, and investors a unique package, enabling them to reduce the time-to-market by up to two years in many places, which leads to significant revenue gains. Our power plant design is built with redundancy, eliminating the need for backup diesel generators and reducing CO2 emissions by about 50%.” For more from Eaton, click here.

LiquidStack unveils GigaModular CDU

LiquidStack, a global company specialising in liquid cooling for data centres, today at Datacloud Global Congress unveiled its all-new GigaModular CDU — the industry’s first modular, scalable Coolant Distribution Unit with up to 10MW cooling capacity, made possible through the unit’s modular platform and 'pay-as-you-grow' installation approach. Driven by dramatic increases in the adoption of AI, cloud computing, and other data-intensive technologies, the global data centre liquid cooling market is predicted to grow from $5.17 billion in 2025 to approximately $15.75 billion by 2030. Simultaneously, the demanding nature of AI workloads is pushing data centre thermal management requirements even further. With hardware such as Nvidia’s B300 and GB300 soon to arrive — and subsequent generations of even more powerful iterations inevitably following thereafter — the need to future-proof cooling capacity has never been greater. These increasingly sophisticated technologies generate far greater heat densities than traditional processing units, with rack power densities already exceeding 120kW per rack, and growing to 600kW by the end of 2027. "AI will keep pushing thermal output to new extremes, and data centres need cooling systems that can be easily deployed, managed, and scaled to match heat rejection demands as they rise,” says Joe Capes, CEO of LiquidStack. “With up to 10MW of cooling capacity at N, N+1, or N+2, the GigaModular is a platform like no other — we designed it to be the only CDU our customers will ever need. It future-proofs design selections for direct-to-chip liquid cooling without traditional limits or boundaries." Key features of the LiquidStack GigaModular CDU platform include: ● Scalable cooling capacity: A modular platform supporting single-phase, direct-to-chip liquid cooling heat loads from 2.5MW to 10MW. ● Pump module: An IE5 pump and dual BPHx, alongside dual 25um strainers. ● Control module: A centralised design with separate pump and control modules. ● Instrumentation kits: Centralised pressure, temperature, and EM flow sensors. ● Simplified service access: Serviceable from the front of the unit, with no rear or end access required, allowing the system to be placed against the wall. ● Optional configuration: Skid-mounted system with rail and overhead piping pre-installed or shipped as separate cabinets for on-site assembly. LiquidStack will showcase the new GigaModular CDU at Datacloud Global Congress in Cannes, France, from 3-5 June at the Palais des Festivals. Attendees can visit LiquidStack at Booth #88 for a VR-driven demonstration. GigaModular CDU quoting will begin by September 2025 with production in LiquidStack’s manufacturing facilities in Carrollton, Texas (USA). For more from LiquidStack, click here.

CyrusOne and E.ON announce strategic partnership

CyrusOne, a global data centre owner, developer, and operator, and E.ON, one of Europe's largest energy companies, today announced they have entered into a Preferred Partnership agreement to design and deliver local power generation solutions for data centres. The companies’ Preferred Partnership agreement enables them to work together to unlock future energy projects in Frankfurt – Europe’s largest data centre hub which is currently constrained by limited grid capacity and connection delays – and more widely across the continent. In addition to local power generation, the Partnership will collaborate on grid support, power purchase agreements, and heat management. Fundamentally, the Partnership seeks to offer near term capacity for customers in important availability zones in gateway markets with delayed access to grid capacity. The first initiative in the Partnership will see E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) design a local power generation system, named E.ON IQ Energy Center, to supply CyrusOne FRA7, a hyperscale data centre in Griesheim, Germany. This local power generation system will supplement the existing power supply to deliver an additional 61 megawatts of electrical output to the facility by 2029, expanding the campus to offer a further 45 megawatts of IT capacity to customers – bringing the FRA7 campus’ total IT capacity to 126 megawatts. “We are thrilled to announce this Partnership with E.ON to provide customers with a runway to large scale growth without utility risk by 2029. By leveraging the complementary expertise of both companies to scale innovative technologies, we are creating a unique opportunity to offer growth capacity for customers in their most important markets,” says Matthew Pullen, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Europe at CyrusOne. “Our scalable platform will set new industry standards for the integration of advanced energy solutions, offering a replicable model for future data centres and setting the pace for European innovation in sustainable infrastructure.” “This Partnership brings together two industry-leading companies to accelerate a sustainable digital future, developing solutions that provide both power and cooling to the data centre and heat to the campus,” states Marten Bunnemann, CEO at E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions. “What sets this Partnership apart is its strategic depth: a long-term alliance built on shared vision, technical integration, and real benefits for customers and the wider community.” CyrusOne’s FRA7 data centre forms part of the Frankfurt Westside campus, a 73-hectare commercial and industrial mixed-use regeneration project managed by BEOS AG and Swiss Life Asset Managers. In line with CyrusOne’s sustainability goals, and as part of the ongoing partnership with BEOS and Swiss Life Asset Managers, the proposed local power generation solution also places energy efficiency and environmental responsibility at its core. The solution is expected to become the first of its kind to include a baseload cooling integration via absorption chillers designed to convert exhaust heat from the power generation process into cooling for the data centre. This method is designed to increase overall system efficiency, reduce power consumption, and improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). E.ON’s generation system is designed to produce power, cooling, and heat through a combustion process which also qualifies CyrusOne to secure green certificates of origin. While natural gas will initially be used to fuel the plant, the system is designed to be hydrogen-ready and capable of operating with up to 25% hydrogen blended into the fuel mix, with the option to transition to 100% hydrogen through upgrades where demand exists. The local power generation system is also engineered to enhance the quality and usability of the data centre’s waste heat by integrating exhaust heat from its absorption chiller, raising the output temperature by approximately 10°C. For more from CyrusOne, click here.

National Grid starts work on new substation

National Grid, the UK's largest electricity distribution network, is starting work on its new Uxbridge Moor substation in Buckinghamshire which will connect over a dozen new data centres to its network. The new site forms part of National Grid’s upgrade to its transmission network to meet growing demand for electricity, ensuring it can continue to support the growth of new sectors such as data centres as well as the economic and employment benefits they can bring. The site will feature two substations – one 400kV and one 132kV – both of which will be indoor gas-insulated facilities (GIS), reducing the footprint of the development by around 70% and minimising its impact on the environment. Uxbridge Moor will be among the first GIS substations in the country to be free of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), a commonly used electrical insulator that is also a potent greenhouse gas. Using an alternative insulating gas means the project marks another key step towards National Grid’s ambition to reduce SF6 emissions from its network by 50% by 2030. Principal contractor Murphy will build the Uxbridge Moor substation, as well as delivering ancillary facilities, underground cabling, and associated work to connect the 400kV substation to the nearby overhead transmission line. National Grid is planning £35 billion of investment between 2026 to 2031 to connect both large sources of demand (such as data centres and gigafactories) and new sources of electricity generation (such as wind and solar). The requests from data centres to connect at Uxbridge Moor will require around 1.8GW of new capacity, equivalent to adding a mid-sized city to the grid on the outskirts of London. When built, it will be the largest new substation on National Grid’s network by gigawatt capacity. The new substation site borders National Grid’s existing Iver 400kV substation in Buckinghamshire, which has reached capacity and cannot be expanded to meet the demand from data centres and other customers for connections in the area. Energy Minister Michael Shanks says, “Upgrades to the electricity network like this are at the heart of building the industries of our future and support our Plan for Change to deliver economic growth and skilled jobs across the UK. “It comes as we progress our reforms to the grid connections queue that will speed up the time it takes to get high-growth firms, like data centres and AI hubs, plugged into the grid, while also fast-tracking projects that will scale up clean, homegrown power by 2030.” Laura Mulcahy, Project Director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, comments, “Our new Uxbridge Moor substation will provide vital access to power for data centres that are at the heart of Britain’s innovation and economic growth. It will enable new jobs and investment in Buckinghamshire, and will support the UK's digital future. “Alongside these significant benefits, we are working to keep the substations’ environmental impact to a minimum. By using the latest SF6-free, gas-insulated switchgear, we’re reducing the size of this crucial site by around 70% and ensuring its technology is sustainable and resilient long into the future.” Liam Corr, Managing Director of Energy at Murphy, states, “Since 1951 Murphy has been a leading provider of innovative and integrated energy solutions – today we support groundbreaking transmission and distribution projects across the four countries in which we work. “We are proud to be delivering this project in the UK’s capital and building on our strong working relationship with National Grid to help to ensure energy security for decades to come.” For more from National Grid, click here.

CDM to deliver modular data centre solutions

Compu Dynamics Modular (CDM), a newly launched company drawing on Compu Dynamics’ two decades of experience and focusing exclusively on modular solutions, today announces its market debut with a stated mission: to simplify and accelerate the deployment of high-density, energy efficient digital infrastructure through engineered, prefabricated data centre modules. With digital transformation surging across AI, HPC, neocloud, and enterprise markets, CDM aims to offer prefabricated, turnkey solutions that are scalable, transportable, and designed for the next generation of compute. The company serves a range of customers, from neocloud infrastructure providers and AI innovators to OEMs that integrate high-end compute clusters directly into modular platforms. "At CDM, our vision is to support the seamless, rapid deployment of digital infrastructure tailored to each customer’s unique application needs. We deliver fully tested, modular data centre solutions designed for efficiency, reliability, and scalability," says Ron Mann, Vice President of Compu Dynamics Modular. "We are not building containers — we are delivering high-performance, factory-integrated data centre solutions that are fully operational from day one." Each module is an integrated, self-contained data centre system including mechanical, electrical, and cooling infrastructure that is designed to support advanced applications such as AI model training, GPU clusters, and edge inference engines. The company provides end-to-end lifecycle services including: • Design & Engineering: Customisable to power densities, cooling strategies, and deployment constraints. • Fabrication & Assembly: Built in controlled environments. • Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT): Aiming to ensure systems are deployment-ready before shipping. • Deployment & Commissioning: Nationwide and international delivery, and on-site integration. • Ongoing Support & Maintenance: Lifecycle services tailored to operational continuity. “Compu Dynamics Modular represents the next phase of innovation in our industry,” comments Steve Altizer, President and CEO of Compu Dynamics. “CDM is built to meet the modular demands of tomorrow’s compute landscape, where speed-to-market, flexibility, and high-density performance are critical.” For more from Compu Dynamics, click here.

Principal acquires data centre complex in Düsseldorf

Principal Asset Management, a global investment management business, has acquired a key data centre complex in the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany. The 36,429m² complex, known as Connecta Park, is located in Düsseldorf and let to a number of tenants, including Digital Realty, Colt, Pluserver, Comtrance, 1&1 Versatel, Telia, Vodafone, and Zayo. It benefits from fibre connectivity for the Nordics, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Frankfurt and is home to the DE-CIX and ECIX (Megaport) internet exchanges. Connecta Park is the sixth asset to be acquired for Principal European Data Centre Fund I, which raised €297 million from 14 investors and is now closed to new investors. The fund is focused on manage-to-core data centre assets and has acquired five assets in Barcelona, the UK, Amsterdam, Dublin, and Frankfurt. Paul Lewis, Managing Director, European Data Centres at Principal Asset Management, says, “The acquisition of this key data centre hub in Düsseldorf marks a strategic addition to Principal European Data Centre Fund I, further strengthening our presence in key European digital infrastructure markets. “North Rhine-Westphalia is experiencing increased demand from hyperscalers and this asset, offering access to a broad range of fibre networks and strong connectivity to the Nordics, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Frankfurt, is well positioned to benefit from that trend. With a high-quality tenant mix and significant technical capability, we believe this asset will continue to attract strong occupier interest as demand accelerates."

UK Government announces new apprenticeship initiative

Young people in the UK are set to benefit from 120,000 new training opportunities as part of what the Government calls a "radical skills revolution," giving them the chance to develop skills where they are most needed across the workforce to "rebuild Britain." An overview of the announcement: · Construction, health and social care, engineering, and the digital sector are among those set to benefit the most from the new opportunities. · There is a refocusing of funding away from Level 7 (masters-level) apprenticeships from January 2026 – which has been criticised. · There is to be an implementation of a 32% increase in the Immigration Skills Charge, which will deliver up to 45,000 additional training places to upskill the domestic workforce and reduce reliance on migration in priority sectors. In response to this announcement, within which the digital sector has been cited as one of the key areas benefitting from the new opportunities, comments have been made by Mike Meyer, Managing Director of Portman Partners and Board Member of the Data Centre Alliance. Mike has an extensive background in recruitment and talent development within the digital infrastructure sector, having spent over 25 years within the industry with first-hand experience across Datacenter, Digital Infrastructure, IT, and Telecoms prior to moving into Executive Search. He has also spoken numerous times on the topic of talent development and bringing up the new generation of data centre professionals, notably at the East London University and at the Tech Capital International Finance Forum. “It's encouraging to see the Government investing in skills development across sectors for the next generation of young talent,” says Mike. “With the digital sector being among those set to benefit, I hope to see investment in the skills required for the digital infrastructure industry to help attract and nurture young professionals that the sector desperately needs to sustain itself. “With the growing demand for data centre capacity continuing to create the need for larger facilities, this has brought with it an unyielding need to fill the ever-increasing job openings in the sector. Though growth is an excellent problem to have, a future pool of fresh, young talent is imperative in a sector that is rapidly aging, with an average age of 53. “The Government’s ambitions to strengthen the UK's leadership in advancing and applying AI is creating demand for even larger, more powerful data centres. Alongside significant capital investment, such as the planned construction of the UK’s largest AI data centre in Essex in 2026, there will be an ongoing need for a steady pipeline of skilled talent to design, construct, and manage data centres. The new initiative from the Government is a positive sign that the industry is heading in the right direction.”

Ecolab launches new cooling management technology

Ecolab, a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, has announced the launch of a new technology to drive high-performance data centre cooling. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has created exponential growth for data centres, with US data centre energy demand expected to grow from 25 GW in 2024 to more than 80 GW by 2030. By aiming to enable reliable uptime, reduce water consumption, and optimise energy efficiency, Ecolab's technology intends to help operators address the water, energy, and performance demands of AI-driven computing. As part of the launch, Ecolab will highlight the full portfolio in Booth 102 at Datacloud Global Congress 2025, taking place in Cannes, France, from 3 to 5 June. “The accelerated growth of AI, which is driving rapidly increasing rack densities, creates complexity for data centre operators as they address competing resource and business demands,” comments Mukul Girotra, Vice President and General Manager, Global High Tech. “By integrating monitoring, performance insights, and global expertise, we can help data centres prepare with scalable solutions that enable them to navigate the pressure of reliably doing more with less.” The new development is referred to as 3D TRASAR Technology for Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling, and has been designed for next-generation server environments. The system delivers real-time monitoring of coolant health, tracking coolant concentration, temperature, pH, flow rates and other fluid health indicators to help protect direct-to-chip servers and critical cooling infrastructure. The new solution is supported by Ecolab’s Water Quality IQ performance insights, which provide data and recommended actions for operators. It also includes field service and lab analysis provided by multiple research facilities around the world, with results advertised to be available in as little as five days. “Data centre operators need cooling systems that can keep pace with rapidly advancing heat loads,” says Mukul. “This portfolio, anchored by 3D TRASAR Technology for Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling, expands our capabilities with advanced cooling technology for the data centre white space.” Ecolab’s full suite of cooling management solutions also consists of previously established programs: • 3D TRASAR for Cooling Water — which aims to help enhance cooling tower and chiller efficiency while minimising water use. • 3D TRASAR for Adiabatic Cooling — which seeks to optimise direct evaporative cooling system performance through continuous water quality monitoring, and to support longer asset life and consistent operation with maintenance-free conductivity sensing. • Water Flow Intelligence — which aims to deliver real-time visibility into water usage at the enterprise, site, and asset levels. For more from Ecolab, click here.

Pure Storage and SK Hynix announce collaboration

Pure Storage, a provider of data storage technology and services, today announced a collaboration with SK Hynix, a South Korean semiconductor company, to deliver QLC flash storage products that aim to meet the high-capacity, energy efficient requirements for data-intensive hyperscaler environments. Modern data centres require solutions that can provide high storage density capabilities without sacrificing performance or energy efficiency. Data bottlenecks can lead to decreased productivity and high energy costs, affecting overall company performance. Traditional storage solutions such as hard disk drives (HDDs) have limitations as they are unable to handle the high-capacity, data-intensive workloads of hyperscale data centres in the AI era. Pure Storage intend to deliver future DirectFlash Module products with SK Hynix’s QLC NAND flash memory that will be purpose-built for demanding hyperscaler environments. Benefits could include: • Sustained High Performance — Integrating Pure Storage's data storage platform with SK Hynix's QLC NAND technology to enable low-latency solutions geared towards exascale, data-intensive workloads. • Increased Energy Efficiency — Collaborating to provide lower energy consumption, helping customers overcome power availability constraints, lower operating costs, and decrease an organisation's overall carbon footprint. • Improved Scalability & TCO — The combined solution seeks to provide highly rack-dense and scalable systems. “This collaboration with SK Hynix is an exciting step in our mission to deliver superior all-flash storage technology to hyperscalers. By combining SK Hynix's advanced QLC products with Pure Storage’s host-based flash management architecture, we can deliver an optimised solution for the hyperscale production environment and AI infrastructure,” says Bill Cerreta, GM, Hyperscale, Pure Storage. “Hyperscalers are constantly searching for data storage technology that doesn’t limit their potential innovation, but propels it to unforeseen levels. SK Hynix's NAND technology, combined with Pure Storage's robust platform, presents a formidable option for data centre operators focused on maximizing performance, efficiency, and scalability. Together, we are empowering hyperscale environments to tackle burgeoning data volumes with cutting-edge, sustainable storage solutions,” comments Sam Lee, EVP, Head of Global Sales and Marketing, SK Hynix. For more from Pure Storage, click here.

A-Gas joins the European Data Centre Association

A-Gas, a global company specialising in Lifecycle Refrigerant Management (LRM), announces that it has officially joined the European Data Centre Association (EUDCA), the organisation that has represented the interests of the European data centre community since 2011. A-Gas joined as a member of the Technical Committee, whose mission is to bring together industry experts and foster discussion on the latest trends and emerging technologies. The goal is to support the development of a sustainable and sovereign digital infrastructure for Europe, enabling more conscious and digital transitions. The EUDCA, in collaboration with over 60 member organisations, represents the collective interests of the European data centre community. It provides a platform for operators to engage with policymakers and industry leaders, promoting a sustainable and sovereign digital infrastructure that supports Europe’s twin green and digital transition. As a new member, A-Gas says it looks forward to sharing its expertise in refrigerant management, particularly in relation to F-Gases. The recent update to the EU F-Gas Regulation introduces stricter controls on high GWP refrigerants, many of which are still in use in data centre cooling systems. These changes include equipment phase-outs and stricter leak detection rules, urging operators to adjust maintenance strategies and prioritise sustainable design in new builds. “Becoming a member of EUDCA Technical Committee represents a great opportunity for A-Gas to bring to the table our expertise on refrigerants and refrigerant management. A-Gas works with stakeholders to understand their objectives, risks, and challenges, and offers a suite of Lifecycle Refrigerant Management based solutions that addresses the multi-faceted challenges faced by stakeholders as they seek to manage their refrigeration needs. The data centre cooling industry sees a high influx of capital investments on the back of cloud-based computing and AI development. Considering the size and environmental impact of these centres globally, transitioning towards sustainable solutions is critical,” comments Vincent Homrighausen, A-Gas EMEA Managing Director.