Data Centre Infrastructure News & Trends

800 VDC arc flash risk assessed in new Schneider study

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

AVK secures $1bn investment from Partners Group

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

Vultr scales AI infrastructure with new AMD GPUs

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

Cabling Group named Panduit's European Platinum Partner

The Cabling Group has been awarded Platinum Partner status by Panduit, a manufacturer of electrical and network infrastructure hardware, making it the company's only current Platinum Partner in Europe. Panduit's Platinum Partner designation is its highest level of channel recognition and is awarded to organisations based on technical expertise, customer service, and their relationship with the company. The Cabling Group is a UK specialist in network infrastructure and connectivity. The partnership brings together Panduit's infrastructure portfolio and The Cabling Group's technical expertise and customer relationships. Jens Holzhammer (pictured above), Managing Director EMEA at Panduit, comments, "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering long-term value to customers. "By combining Panduit's industry-leading infrastructure solutions with The Cabling Group's technical expertise and market reach, we are well positioned to accelerate growth across the network infrastructure business. We are very proud to have them as a Platinum Partner." Graham Smith, Managing Director of The Cabling Group, adds, "We're delighted to have been awarded Panduit Platinum Partner status. This is a fantastic achievement that reflects the hard work, technical expertise, and commitment of our team. "Achieving Platinum status strengthens our partnership with Panduit and enhances our ability to continue delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions for our customers." Partnership expands network infrastructure focus Michael Kemmerling, Business Director Central Europe North at Panduit, notes, "Customers today are looking for trusted partners that can help simplify complexity while supporting scalability, reliability, and performance. "The Cabling Group brings deep expertise and a strong reputation in the market, and we are proud to strengthen our collaboration through this Platinum Partner designation." The companies say the partnership will support customers investing in network infrastructure, with a focus on scalability, reliability, and performance across the UK and wider European market. For more from Panduit, click here.

Wolong's PMDD motors target data centre cooling

Wolong Electric America, a developer of industrial motor and drive technology, has highlighted its permanent magnet direct drive (PMDD) motors for data centre and industrial cooling applications. The motors are manufactured in Monterrey, Mexico, and use a 48-pole design intended to provide a compact alternative to conventional induction motors. The PMDD design removes the need for belts and sheaves by connecting the motor directly to the fan. According to Wolong, this reduces mechanical complexity, maintenance requirements, and potential points of failure. The motors use a rare earth magnet core, which the company says generates stronger magnetic fields than ferrite-based alternatives while allowing for a smaller footprint. A variable frequency drive (VFD) controls the motors, providing variable speed operation and controlled acceleration and deceleration. The motors have a 4:1 turndown ratio, allowing them to maintain torque at lower speeds for applications where cooling demand varies. Direct drive design reduces mechanical load The direct coupling between the motor and fan reduces radial load on bearings and associated mechanical stress by removing the belt drive. Wolong states that the motors are approximately 20% more efficient than conventional induction motors. The design also provides smooth starts without inrush current, which can reduce electrical stress on connected equipment. The motors are intended for use in data centres, refineries, heat exchangers, cooling systems, and other OEM-designed equipment. Wolong's Monterrey manufacturing operation also provides regional manufacturing, service, and customer support for North American customers. The company says the motors are designed with anticipated US Department of Energy efficiency requirements in mind and can be used when upgrading existing equipment or developing new cooling systems. For more from Wolong, click here.

FTTH Council Europe becomes Fibre Council Europe

The FTTH Council Europe, an industry association promoting fibre connectivity across Europe, has rebranded as Fibre Council Europe, marking an expansion of its remit to represent the wider fibre infrastructure ecosystem across Europe. The organisation says the new name reflects its broader focus beyond fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), encompassing fixed connectivity, the fibre infrastructure supporting data centres, mobile networks, and the digital services used by businesses, public institutions, and consumers. The rebrand includes a new visual identity and the tagline: "Powering Europe's digital future". Stefano Fogli, President of Fibre Council Europe, says, "Our new name recognises what our members have known for years: fibre is the essential infrastructure of the present and the future-proof foundation of what comes next, with the potential to evolve to ever-higher speeds. "As Fibre Council Europe, we will continue to bring together the entire fibre community to accelerate deployment, drive take-up, and ensure Europe's digital competitiveness. Our mission expands, and our name now matches its full scope." Conference renamed as organisation broadens remit The Council's annual conference has also been renamed Fibre Horizons. The event, which the organisation describes as Europe's largest gathering of the fibre community, will take place on 17–18 March in Milan, Italy, bringing together operators, vendors, investors, and policymakers. According to the Council, its governance, membership, and core activities will remain unchanged, while its work will expand into areas including data centres and the transition from hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) networks to FTTH. Vincent Garnier, Director General of Fibre Council Europe, comments, "This is an evolution, not a departure. Everything our members and partners value about the Council - our advocacy, our research, our community - carries forward under the new name and the expanded scope. What changes is that our identity now reflects the breadth of the fibre ecosystem we represent." The organisation says the transition to the new branding will be phased in over the coming weeks, with its previous branding, email addresses, and web addresses remaining in use during the changeover period. For more from Fibre Council Europe, click here.

Reliable liquid cooling infrastructure with aquatherm piping

Rising rack densities, AI workloads, and 24/7 availability place new demands on data centre cooling. Conventional air-based concepts increasingly reach their limits when it comes to removing high heat loads efficiently and reliably. aquatherm blue is a PP-RCT piping system designed specifically for liquid cooling circuits in data centres and similar mission-critical environments. It provides the backbone for closed chilled-water loops, direct-to-rack cooling, and integration with heat exchangers or free cooling systems. The system’s corrosion-free material and smooth inner surface support stable flow rates over the long term, helping maintain performance and reduce unplanned interventions. Lightweight components and heat-fusion jointing simplify installation in raised floors, technical rooms, and retrofits. With flexible layouts and a wide range of dimensions and fittings, aquatherm blue enables planners and operators to adapt cooling infrastructure to current and future IT loads. For more information, click here.

NTT, ENGIE sign multi-market renewable energy deal

NTT DATA, a Japanese IT services and consulting group, and ENGIE, a French multinational energy company, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at supporting the long-term energy needs of NTT DATA's global data centre portfolio and expanding AI infrastructure using renewable energy. The agreement focuses on renewable energy procurement, power supply, and integrated energy services to support the continued growth of the company's data centres while contributing to its net zero objectives. Working agreements have already been signed in the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany as part of the multinational partnership. In the UK, NTT DATA has entered into a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with ENGIE for renewable electricity supplied from a 24MW wind farm in South Wales. The agreement will provide power to NTT DATA's UK data centres until September 2030. Partnership supports AI infrastructure growth The companies say the partnership is intended to address increasing demand for reliable, long-term energy supplies as AI and cloud infrastructure continue to expand. David Costa, Chief Sustainability Officer at NTT DATA, comments, "AI is transforming every industry, and long-term success depends on ensuring that AI is sustainable. Sustainability is both a competitive differentiator and a value creator. "This partnership with ENGIE reflects our belief that energy transition and AI transformation must advance together, enabling us to innovate and scale responsibly while delivering long-term value for our clients and society." Doug Adams, CEO of NTT Global Data Centers, adds, "This partnership gives us the energy foundation we need to keep pace with accelerating AI demand without compromising on our sustainability commitments. "Securing long-term access to renewable power at scale is one of the defining challenges for our industry right now, and working with a partner like ENGIE lets us continue our growth with confidence - for our clients, for our company, and for the environment." Nicolas Lefèvre-Marton, Group Vice President Data Center Acceleration & Strategy Partnerships at ENGIE, notes, "Our partnership with NTT DATA is an exciting synergy between our industries, with both parties working to address the energy requirements of the data and AI revolution with renewable and sustainable solutions." Miya Paolucci, CEO of ENGIE UK, concludes, "This CPPA is the result of a deep understanding of NTT DATA's needs, demonstrating how a collaborative approach can deliver innovative solutions and sustainable infrastructure to support long-term growth and decarbonisation ambitions." For more from NTT DATA, click here.

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.