Data Centre Infrastructure News & Trends

Veolia to operate 350MW data centre microgrid

Veolia, a French multinational environmental services company, has been selected to operate and maintain a 350MW microgrid that will supply power to an AI data centre campus in Ohio, USA. The project will operate independently of the public electricity grid, providing all of the site's power through a combination of on-site generation and battery energy storage. Veolia says the development is intended to help meet growing demand for AI infrastructure whilst reducing pressure on local electricity networks. The contract forms part of the company's 'Data Center Resource 360' offering, which focuses on supporting the operation of data centres through energy, water, and waste management services. The Ohio microgrid will combine gas engines, linear generators, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and medium-voltage infrastructure into a single energy platform. Veolia will be responsible for operations integration, commissioning support, and the long-term operation and maintenance of the facility under a performance-based contract. The company says it joined the project before commercial operations began to support commissioning, develop operating procedures, and coordinate work between contractors and equipment manufacturers. According to Veolia, the facility has a target availability of 99.9% and will require a dedicated on-site workforce of between 35 and 40 full-time personnel. Grid-independent power for AI infrastructure Karin Hamel, CEO of Veolia Energy North America and Chief Growth Officer for Veolia in North America, comments, "Our work on this project shows how Veolia can help developers accelerate speed-to-power while maintaining the reliability required for mission-critical AI operations, all while protecting the community. "As developers deploy microgrids and other advanced energy systems to meet the growing demand for AI infrastructure, they need trusted partners with the expertise to operate these assets safely, reliably, and at scale. "Veolia helps reduce operational risk, improve performance, and provide environmental security for customers and the communities they serve, supporting the responsible growth of AI while delivering reliable and sustainable infrastructure solutions." The company says the microgrid will have 350MW of generation capacity and incorporate a 430MWh battery energy storage system. For more from Veolia, click here.

Secure I.T. completes UPS and AHU upgrades for NHS

Secure I.T. Environments (SITE), a UK design and build company for modular, containerised, and micro data centres, has completed uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and air handling unit (AHU) upgrades at two live data centres operated by an unnamed NHS Foundation Trust. The projects were carried out while both facilities remained operational and were designed to improve resilience, energy efficiency, and future scalability for the Trust's critical digital infrastructure. The UPS upgrade replaced two end-of-life systems with modular Riello Multi Power infrastructure. SITE installed two 252kVA UPS chassis, each configured at 84kVA N+1 using 42kW power modules. The modular design allows additional capacity to be added in the future without replacing the entire platform. Cooling upgrade improves efficiency The second project involved replacing ageing AHUs at a data centre originally designed and built by SITE during the 2000s. The facility supports a hospital with more than 800 beds, outpatient services, and one of the South East's busiest emergency departments. As part of the works, the existing condenser compound was decommissioned and replaced with a new ground-level installation designed to improve heat rejection performance. The upgraded FläktGroup AHUs were specified to maintain environmental conditions during higher ambient temperatures, whilst also incorporating physical security measures and remote monitoring capabilities. According to SITE, the new cooling equipment is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 58,000kg annually and deliver energy cost savings of approximately £32,305 per year, with a projected return on investment of just over three years. Working around ongoing operations The projects were delivered in carefully planned phases to minimise disruption to hospital operations. The UPS systems were replaced one at a time over two weekend shutdowns, with construction work for the cooling upgrade being scheduled to reduce the impact on visitors and nearby clinical services. A spokesperson for the Trust comments, "This was a big and critically important project for the hospital, carried out smoothly by Secure I.T. Environments. We were really grateful for the work and professionalism of the team, and its partners Riello, throughout the project." The UPS project also included new underfloor containment and cabling, DC transition boxes, integration with the existing battery strings following testing, remote monitoring, commissioning, load bank testing, and operational training for estates engineers. Jo-Anne Garvie, Commercial Director at Secure I.T. Environments, says, "In hospital environments, the resilience of supporting infrastructure has to be treated with the same discipline as the IT systems it protects. "These projects have resulted in a more flexible and maintainable power platform and energy-efficient cooling infrastructure. Together, they support the Trust's current operational needs and give it a clear path for future expansion." For more from SITE, click here.

DE-CIX, MASS-IX expand US Northeast interconnection

Internet exchange (IX) operators DE-CIX and MASS-IX have partnered to provide direct interconnection between New England and New York, enabling networks connected to MASS-IX to access DE-CIX New York through a single-hop connection. The agreement makes MASS-IX an IX Turnkey Connectivity Partner, allowing customers to connect with networks in New York without purchasing separate transport services or remote cross-connects. According to the companies, the partnership is intended to improve latency for networks in the US Northeast whilst also providing access to DE-CIX's wider interconnection ecosystem across North America and internationally. The first network to use the new service is TOWARDEX, which is already exchanging traffic with networks connected to DE-CIX New York. Partnership extends regional connectivity MASS-IX connects more than 70 networks across 12 data centres in the Boston metropolitan area, with close to 3Tbps of connected capacity and peak traffic exceeding 300Gbps. By linking directly to DE-CIX New York, MASS-IX customers gain access to one of the largest interconnection ecosystems in the region, including networks not currently available within New England. Ed d'Agostino, Vice President at DE-CIX North America, comments, "DE-CIX is proud to be partnering MASS-IX, bringing together two neutral and high-performance internet exchanges for the betterment of both parties. "New York represents the lowest-latency location for New England networks to reach non-local networks, and this interconnection makes this possible and easy to implement. "The community in Massachusetts and all of New England will be able to improve performance and latency to content by peering with networks connected to DE-CIX New York. This is an excellent example of how DE-CIX works with neutral IXs to improve the internet in the US and help others better serve their markets." James Jun, Director at MASS-IX, adds, "MASS-IX was founded on a mission to improve performance and reduce the cost of network interconnections throughout Massachusetts. By partnering with DE-CIX, we are providing a new additional turnkey avenue for peering and internet interconnections for ISPs and internet networks throughout New England. "We're excited to partner with DE-CIX to bring leading, world-class peering capabilities and interconnection ecosystems to Massachusetts." DE-CIX New York currently connects more than 260 networks across over 40 data centres and forms part of the company's wider interconnection platform spanning North America, Europe, and South America. For more from DE-CIX, click here.

Leviton expands UK fibre production capacity

Leviton Network Solutions, a manufacturer of cabling, fibre, and connectivity products for data centres and enterprise networks, has expanded production of its high-fibre-count cable assemblies at its UK manufacturing facility, increasing capacity to support data centre deployments and growing demand for optical infrastructure. The company says more than 100 configuration options are now available through its SJX fibre trunk range, part of the STRATA and OPT-X Global Fiber Systems portfolio. Production at its UK Data Center Factory complements existing manufacturing capacity in the USA. According to Leviton, the expansion is intended to improve supply resilience and reduce lead times for data centre projects, particularly those supporting AI, hyperscale, and cloud environments. Eddie McGinley, Senior Director of Product Management at Leviton, says, "Our enhanced fibre production arrives at a critical time. Operators are under immense pressure to scale optical infrastructure quickly, with the added weight of navigating global supply challenges. This means they need partners they can trust and who will deliver against their commitments." UK investment increases manufacturing capacity The production expansion forms part of wider investment in Leviton's UK facility and includes upgrades to cable, cassette, and fibre assembly manufacturing. The company says the investment includes production of more than 100 OPT-X SJX cable and trunk configurations in both the UK and USA, new UK production of OPT-X HDX fibre cassettes, and the completion of an expansion of its UK Data Center Factory. Leviton adds that manufacturing in both regions provides customers with additional sourcing options, improved supply continuity, and support for projects requiring dual-rated LSZH CPR B2ca/Riser cable constructions. The expanded portfolio also supports Base-8, Base-12, and Base-16 configurations, alongside loose-tube fibre designs intended for high-density network architectures used in AI clusters, cloud deployments, and colocation data centres. Eddie continues, "By expanding manufacturing in our UK facility and strengthening multi-region production, we're giving customers the speed and assurance they need to keep projects on track and meet aggressive build schedules." The new configuration options are available immediately through Leviton's global sales channels and distribution partners.

ABB launches grid compliance solution for Irish data centres

ABB, a multinational corporation specialising in industrial automation and electrification products, has introduced a new energy storage and power management system designed to help data centres comply with emerging grid stability requirements in Ireland. The system combines ultracapacitor energy storage with real-time power orchestration to enable large energy users to respond to grid disturbances within milliseconds, without requiring major changes to existing electrical infrastructure. The announcement comes as Ireland prepares to introduce new grid requirements under EirGrid's proposed MPID345 grid code modification, which will require large-demand facilities, including data centres, to remain connected during grid faults and rapidly restore power demand following network disturbances. ABB has also published a whitepaper, Ireland's Data Centers - Moving from Passive Consumption to Active Participation in Grid Stabilization, outlining how the technology could support compliance with the new regulations. Addressing new grid stability requirements According to ABB, the solution integrates ultrafast energy storage, grid-forming power conversion, and digital control systems to help support grid frequency and voltage stability whilst also maintaining data centre operations. The company says the approach differs from conventional backup systems, which are primarily designed to isolate facilities from grid events rather than actively supporting the electricity network. Ireland's data centres currently account for around 24% of the country's electricity consumption, with that figure expected to increase to 30% by 2032. Under Ireland's Large Energy-User Action Plan (LEAP), new large-scale facilities are expected to provide on-site or nearby generation and/or energy storage, participate in electricity markets, and source at least 80% of their annual energy from new renewable energy projects. Lee Todd, Vice President, Energy & Carbon Services, Electrification Service at ABB, explains, "This is a radical change in what the national grid demands of Ireland’s data centre operators. "When large loads shed simultaneously during a disturbance, the resulting power imbalance can drive frequency excursions that cascade across the entire grid. That is why the country’s data centre operators will be required to provide grid support. And while Ireland is leading the way, other countries such as Spain and US State of Texas are set to follow. "The path forward is not more backup capacity, but precise, coordinated control of power delivered at the exact moment it is needed. We are using ultracapacitors as a unique innovative solution that replaces the need to use the larger alternative technologies of synchronous condensers, e-statcoms, or a combination of different technologies. "The primary purpose of the solution is to provide not only grid inertia and grid voltage control that can be controlled on demand, but [to] support all the available services that energy storage can provide, lowering CapEx investment and OpEx." ABB says a representative 50MW data centre deployment would use five modular 8.4MVA power blocks, providing around 42MVA of dynamic grid support capability. For more from ABB, click here.

Schneider, AMD publish AI data centre reference design

Global energy technology company Schneider Electric and AMD, an American multinational semiconductor company, have released a jointly developed reference design for the AMD Helios rack-scale platform, providing data centre operators with a framework for deploying high-density AI infrastructure. The reference design is the first outcome of the companies' collaboration and is intended to simplify the planning and deployment of AI data centres by providing a validated approach to power, cooling, and IT infrastructure. It supports the AMD Helios platform, which combines AMD Instinct GPUs, AMD EPYC CPUs, AMD Pensando networking technology, and the ROCm software ecosystem. As AI workloads continue to increase power density and cooling requirements, the reference design aims to help operators reduce deployment complexity by offering a tested blueprint covering facility power, facility cooling, IT space, and lifecycle software. Framework targets high-density AI deployments According to the companies, the reference design supports modular AI clusters with up to 10.4MW of IT capacity for greenfield developments and rack densities of up to 246kW. It also outlines liquid cooling approaches using Schneider Electric's Motivair coolant distribution units (CDUs) alongside hybrid air and liquid cooling systems capable of removing up to 84% of generated heat. The design incorporates digital modelling and monitoring tools - including ETAP, EcoStruxure IT Design, and AVEVA's Unified Operations Center - to support infrastructure planning, performance monitoring, predictive maintenance, and operational management. Manish Kumar, Executive Vice President, Secure Power & Data Centers at Schneider Electric, says, "Today, organisations require comprehensive, AI-ready reference designs that can take them from planning to deployment faster and with less risk. "Through our collaboration with AMD, we're delivering an engineering-backed reference design that bridges the gap between advanced AI compute platforms, energy tech, and real-world data centre implementation, enabling customers to deploy scalable, high-density AI environments with greater confidence, efficiency, and speed." Forrest Norrod, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Data Center Solutions Business Group at AMD, adds, "AI infrastructure is rapidly moving to full-scale AI factories and that requires compute, networking, power, and cooling to be designed together from the start. "AMD Helios provides an open, rack-scale architecture built to deliver the performance, efficiency, and flexibility required for next-generation AI workloads. By working with Schneider Electric to create a validated reference design, we are giving customers a practical blueprint to accelerate high-density AI deployments, reduce integration risk, and scale with greater confidence and efficiency." The reference design has been validated to ANSI standards for deployments in the United States, with support for IEC standards planned for future international implementations. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Arista Networks adds AI security to SD-WAN platform

Arista Networks, a provider of cloud and AI networking systems, has introduced Edge Threat Management (ETM) for its VeloCloud SD-WAN platform, adding integrated zero-trust security capabilities for enterprise branch networks. The software is designed to combine SD-WAN connectivity and security within a single platform, reducing the need for separate firewall appliances at branch locations. According to Arista, ETM provides firewalling, threat prevention, zone-based segmentation, Geo-IP filtering, DNS filtering, and AI-assisted policy management through the VeloCloud Orchestrator. The platform also incorporates Arista AVA, which provides AI-assisted features including policy explanation and traffic simulation to help administrators understand and manage security policies. Integrated security for branch networks The new software is intended to provide a unified approach to branch security by combining network management and security policy enforcement within a common operating system and management interface. Till Bockenheimer from German MSP T&A SYSTEME, says, "The new ETM functionality allows us to offer requested security services on top of the existing SD-WAN infrastructure managed within the same GUI. This eliminates the need to deploy a separate firewall box managed from a separate GUI, especially for small branches." Edward Fox, Chief Technology Officer at MetTel, states, "The network edge must evolve to be smarter and more autonomous as our clients expand their AI-driven operations from reactive troubleshooting to predictive management." John McCool, Senior Vice President at Arista Networks, comments, "The new zero-trust integrated security with ETM, developed organically by Arista, showcases the power of the combined Arista and VeloCloud teams on the anniversary of the VeloCloud acquisition. Customers can now simplify and unify the branch, extending enterprise-grade zero trust security to the branch office WAN edge." Arista says ETM will be available for all current VeloCloud hardware and virtual edge platforms, with general availability scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026. For more from Arista, click here.

Liberty Energy, PowerBridge form joint data centre venture

Liberty Energy, a Denver-based oilfield services company, and PowerBridge, a developer of power-integrated data centre campuses for hyperscale and AI, have formed a joint venture to support the development of powered data centre campuses, beginning with a planned 2GW site in West Texas, USA. The partnership combines PowerBridge's digital campus development experience with Liberty Power Innovations' power generation and energy management offerings to support large-scale AI and hyperscale data centre developments. The companies say the joint venture will provide an integrated approach to campus infrastructure and on-site power generation as demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow. Its initial focus is the proposed Alpha Digital Campus in West Texas, where the first phase is expected to include more than 300MW of generation capacity. Initial power delivery is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027, with further deployment planned through the first half of 2028. Joint venture targets future AI infrastructure projects PowerBridge is responsible for developing the digital campus infrastructure, including pad-ready sites and a regional fibre conduit network, whilst Liberty Power Innovations will design, develop, and operate the modular power generation systems. The companies say the model is intended to support future gigawatt-scale data centre campuses serving hyperscale operators, AI workloads, and other large power users. Alex Hernandez, founder and Chief Executive Officer of PowerBridge, comments, "PowerBridge was founded on the premise of driving and solving the accelerating convergence between energy and digital infrastructure. Our mission is to serve our digital infrastructure customers with an integrated powered campus solution while building new power generation assets that strengthen grid reliability. "By aligning our powered campus development assets with Liberty's comprehensive power services and operational expertise, we are creating a model that can be scaled across future gigawatt-scale powered data centre campuses in West Texas." Ron Gusek, Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Energy, adds, "The most sophisticated customers are increasingly seeking partners that can simplify the delivery of large-scale digital infrastructure projects. As power availability becomes a defining factor in data centre development, customers need integrated solutions that align power generation, energy management, and campus infrastructure planning from the outset. "With PowerBridge, we are helping customers secure reliable power faster and more efficiently, supporting the accelerating growth of AI and digital infrastructure." The joint venture remains subject to the completion of commercial agreements and the required regulatory approvals.

Telxius expands Caribbean connectivity in Dominican Republic

Telxius, a Spanish operator of submarine cable networks and telecommunications tower infrastructure, has opened a new point of presence (PoP) at the NAP Caribe data centre in Santo Domingo, expanding its network presence in the Caribbean and strengthening connectivity in the Dominican Republic. The new PoP complements the company's submarine cable landing gateway in Punta Cana, extending access to Telxius's network, transport, interconnection, and security services for carriers, content providers, and enterprises across the region. The expansion is intended to improve network availability, resilience, and performance whilst providing customers with greater access to Telxius's global infrastructure. According to DataReportal, the Dominican Republic had more than 10.2 million internet users in the first quarter of 2025, making it the largest internet market in the Caribbean. Telxius says the new facility is positioned to support growing demand for digital connectivity and internet services. Caribbean network growth continues Telxius operates more than 100,000km of submarine and terrestrial fibre infrastructure worldwide, including 25 carrier-neutral landing gateways and edge data centres. Carlos Casado, Northern Region Sales VP at Telxius, says, "Our new PoP in Santo Domingo reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class connectivity across some of the world’s most dynamic markets. "The Caribbean is home to a growing number of digital hubs, making it a key growth region for our customers and our network. Together with NAP Caribe, we are enabling faster, more secure, and more reliable connectivity across the Caribbean and wider Latin America." Maria Waleska Álvarez, CEO at NAP Caribe, adds, "We are proud to welcome Telxius to our data centre in the Dominican Republic, where its global connectivity footprint is anchored by our advanced technological capabilities, robust security standards, and a highly resilient, carrier-neutral digital infrastructure. "By aligning our visions and strengths, we are accelerating the development of a seamlessly interconnected regional ecosystem and enabling new opportunities for innovation, growth, and digital transformation across local and regional markets." The announcement follows Telxius's recent network expansion in Fortaleza and forms part of the company's continued investment in digital infrastructure across Latin America. For more from Telxius, click here.

DC BLOX joins 1GW AI data centre project

DC BLOX, a provider of connected data centres and fibre networks, has been selected as the digital infrastructure partner in a development consortium, led by Amentum, a US government services and engineering company, that has been chosen by the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to enter negotiations for a phased lease at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The proposed development includes a 1GW AI data centre campus alongside approximately 2GW of dedicated on-site energy generation. The project forms part of a federal initiative to use government-owned sites to support AI infrastructure development, increase power availability for the electricity grid, and advance nuclear reactor technologies. If negotiations are successful, the consortium will develop the project through a public-private partnership intended to accelerate the deployment of AI infrastructure and supporting energy capacity. AI infrastructure and energy development DC BLOX will provide expertise in the design, construction, and operation of digital infrastructure as part of the consortium. The company has previously invested in digital infrastructure across the region and is also a founding member of the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition. Jeff Uphues, CEO of DC BLOX, says, "DC BLOX is honoured to join Amentum and this visionary consortium to support a programme that accelerates our nation's economic growth through technology advancement. To lead, we must innovate not just in how we build data centres, but in how we power them." The Palmetto Nuclear Coalition brings together energy users, industry organisations, policymakers, and other stakeholders with the aim of supporting the future deployment of nuclear energy alongside digital infrastructure. The organisations say the approach is intended to provide reliable power for AI and cloud computing workloads. For more from DC BLOX, click here.