Data Centre Infrastructure News & Trends

Whitepaper: Can AI solve the data centre energy paradox?

As the global demand for data continues to surge, data centres are rapidly scaling up, driven in large part by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Yet, whilst AI is accelerating innovation, it is also intensifying the energy challenge facing operators and infrastructure providers worldwide. In a new whitepaper from Hitachi Energy, the company explores this very paradox: can AI help to solve the sustainability and efficiency issues that it, in part, is responsible for creating? The technical brief, entitled Powering data centres sustainably in an AI world, delves into AI’s growing influence across the digital infrastructure sector, its impact on energy demand, and how it could enable a more efficient, sustainable future. In particular, it examines AI’s potential to optimise power consumption, streamline cooling strategies, and support smarter energy distribution across increasingly complex data centre estates. It also considers how AI can contribute to the broader clean energy transition, including integration with renewable energy sources and smarter grid interactions, among other key issues which are essential as the industry faces mounting pressure to align with global net zero goals. For data centre owners, operators, and energy stakeholders alike, the whitepaper offers timely insights into a future where AI could become both the driver and the solution for sustainable digital growth. You can read the full whitepaper here. For more from Hitachi, click here.

STULZ invests in Hamburg production facility for liquid cooling

STULZ, a manufacturer of mission-critical air conditioning technology, has invested in a new production facility dedicated to liquid cooling systems at its headquarters in Hamburg. The expansion reflects the company’s focus on meeting growing demand for advanced cooling systems across high-performance computing and AI-driven data centres. The site extension enables closer collaboration between STULZ’s research and development, product management, and service teams, aiming to improve internal coordination and streamline workflows. According to the company, this will accelerate the delivery of liquid cooling innovations, reduce time to market, and enhance customer support capabilities across global markets. “Liquid cooling is a highly effective way to efficiently dissipate heat from the sensitive IT equipment found in modern data centres,” says Jörg Desler, Global Director Technology at STULZ. “Liquid cooling solutions must therefore be manufactured to the highest standards, with rigorously tested materials, modern quality management, efficient production processes, and qualified and experienced personnel. "We are proud to have these attributes in place in Hamburg and are already expanding upon them with our new production facility.” STULZ offers a range of liquid cooling systems which it says are tailored to the needs of modern data centre environments. These include configurable complete systems, advanced chillers with free cooling functionality, and modular technologies for scalable, high-density deployments. The company states that all offerings are designed for precise temperature control, reliability, and sustainability. Among the products manufactured at the new facility is the CyberCool CMU cooling distribution unit, which enables control over both the facility water system and the technology cooling system. It manages coolant flow, temperature, and pressure across both sides of the liquid cooling infrastructure, with the aim of improving efficiency. The unit is available in two sizes and provides a continuously variable output of up to 1,380kW. It can also be customised to meet specific project requirements. The CyberCool CMU is produced in Hamburg and distributed to customers across the EMEA and US regions, while other STULZ production sites supply additional global markets. New variants and expanded product sizes are currently under development, supported by ongoing investment in the Hamburg facility. “With this expansion of our production capabilities, we are demonstrating our commitment to Hamburg and thus creating a further basis for growth, innovation, and sustainable employment, even in the face of international competition,” adds Jörg. “The development of liquid cooling for high performance computing and AI-driven data centres is a key component of our strategy to strengthen technological leadership and uphold our high standards of quality and service.” For more from STULZ, click here.

Chatsworth launches new eConnect PDUs

Chatsworth Products (CPI), a US-based manufacturer of IT infrastructure equipment, has launched a new addition to its eConnect Power Distribution Unit (PDU) portfolio, introducing a QuadLock outlet design that the company says provides improved outlet compatibility and power reliability for high-density, high-performance data centres. The new eConnect PDUs with QuadLock outlets aim to support a range of infrastructure requirements, including AI- and GPU-based computing environments, as well as liquid-cooled systems. The units are designed to enhance adaptability, reduce operational risk, and streamline deployment by integrating four outlet types - C13, C15, C19, and C21 - within a single chassis. CPI’s new offering supports all four outlet types with built-in locking mechanisms, without the need for proprietary power cords. “With data centres facing rapid technological advancements, including the proliferation of GPU and AI workloads, infrastructure flexibility and power reliability are more critical than ever,” argues Ashish Moondra, Senior Director of Electronics and Software at CPI. “eConnect PDUs with QuadLock Outlets empower our customers to quickly adapt to changing equipment requirements without sacrificing performance or uptime.” Key features of the eConnect PDU with QuadLock Outlets include: • Four-outlet compatibility — One unit supports C13, C15, C19, and C21 outlet types, increasing equipment compatibility and reducing the need for multiple PDU models. • Secure locking mechanism — Each outlet includes integrated locking to prevent accidental disconnections, including in high-vibration or high-traffic environments. • High-power support — Systems can deliver up to 57.5kW per cabinet with 100A input capacity, supporting intensive workloads. • Colour-coded outlets — Aids in load balancing and troubleshooting by making outlet identification easier. • Flexible integration — Compatible with all six CPI eConnect PDU models - Basic, Metered, Monitored, Monitored Pro, Switched, and Switched Pro - and can be pre-installed into CPI cabinets for quicker deployment. The modular design is intended to reduce PDU redundancy, simplify inventory management, and support a scalable approach to data centre infrastructure. CPI also highlights the product’s contribution to sustainability goals by reducing waste through long-term compatibility and reusability. The new PDUs will be available from 7 July 2025 through CPI’s global network of distribution partners.

RETN upgrades Lithuanian network ring

RETN, an independent global network services provider, has announced the upgrade of its Lithuanian network ring connecting Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, and Panevėžys. The upgrade enhances regional connectivity within Lithuania by extending high-capacity services across these cities, while maintaining Vilnius and Kaunas as key nodes on RETN’s international backbone linking the Baltics with major European hubs. Working in partnership with fibre provider Skaidula, and in response to customer demand, RETN deployed 100G DWDM transponders across key regional routes, complementing the existing Nx100G and Nx400G services in Vilnius and Kaunas. The upgraded segments now operate with 500G of installed capacity and are designed to scale to 1.2Tbps and beyond as demand grows. The upgraded ring improves access across the Baltic region and provides direct routes to border points with Latvia and Poland, with onward connectivity to Warsaw, Stockholm, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and other key locations. "As Lithuania continues to grow as a technology powerhouse, RETN is committed to providing fast, secure, and future-proof connectivity to meet the demands of the region's rapidly evolving IT sector,” comments Timur Pertenava, Commercial Director, Nordic & Baltic at RETN. “Our upgraded infrastructure is designed to support the growing needs of international carriers, cloud providers, and the thriving local unicorn ecosystem." This upgrade is part of a broader programme to expand RETN's IP and DWDM backbone across the region to support the growing traffic volumes from Lithuania's IT and data hosting sectors. For more from RETN, click here.

LINX, Megaport partner to expand cloud connectivity for London

The London Internet Exchange (LINX), an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) operator of digital infrastructure across the UK, Africa, and the United States, has today announced a partnership with global Network as a Service (NaaS) provider Megaport to enhance cloud connectivity options for its members. This collaboration brings an expansion to the LINX Cloud Connect service, enabling access to a broader suite of cloud platforms including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud, and others. Through this partnership, LINX members in London can now use Megaport’s global infrastructure to connect to cloud service providers directly from their existing multi-service port. This means one invoice, port, and point of contact for engineering support, aiming to streamline operations and reduce complexity for network operators. “This partnership with Megaport is a significant step forward in our mission to ensure we are best serving our UK members,” says Tyrone Turner, Product Manager at LINX. “Our community now have even more choice and control when it comes to low-latency peering and cloud connectivity, all through a single interface.” Megaport is a LINX member network and ConneXions Reseller Partner. “This partnership gives LINX members a faster, simpler path to cloud,” claims Emmanuel Sevray, VP of Sales, EMEA at Megaport. “By combining Megaport’s global infrastructure and broad cloud ecosystem with LINX’s interconnection services, UK networks can connect to leading cloud providers with less complexity, accessing the services they need, when and where they need them.” LINX Cloud Connect is designed to try to simplify cloud adoption. With Megaport’s integration, the company hopes LINX members will gain greater flexibility and reach, empowering them to build hybrid and multi-cloud environments. For more from LINX, click here.

Allegro argues case for sustainable energy storage

As data centre expansion accelerates to meet the demands of AI, cryptocurrencies, and cloud services, Australia-based developer Allegro Energy is arguing for the relevance and applicability of its long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology in "enabling scalable, sustainable energy solutions tailored to the unique needs of modern data centres." With data centres operating on consistent, high-load profiles, they are uniquely positioned to benefit from a clean power strategy that combines renewable generation with long-duration energy storage. Allegro Energy’s modular, scalable, and environmentally-friendly battery systems, according to the company, "present a solution that overcomes the prohibitive cost, scalability, and sustainability challenges associated with traditional lithium-ion or vanadium-based systems." • Modularity & scalability — Allegro’s LDES systems are designed to grow in parallel with a data centre’s needs, allowing incremental investment and deployment. • Renewable compatibility — The system pairs with solar and wind energy, aiming to help data centres navigate grid volatility and peak pricing while advancing towards net zero carbon targets. • Climate-friendly storage chemistry — The water-based electrolyte technology is not resource-constrained, hoping to offer a low-impact alternative that can be deployed at scale. “The exponential growth of generative AI, cloud computing, and digital services has made energy a critical chokepoint in data infrastructure,” says Thomas Nann, CEO of Allegro Energy. “We believe the future of high-performance computing does not need to come at the cost of the planet. With our technology, data centres can be powered entirely by renewables, supported by reliable, cost-effective long-duration storage.” Allegro Energy’s proprietary, locally manufactured micro-emulsion electrolyte technology eliminates the need for scarce or rare metals, reducing fire risk and allowing for extended storage durations at a lower cost.

Riello UPS Ireland appoints new Managing Director

Critical power protection specialist Riello UPS Ireland has announced the appointment of Ian Jackson as its new Managing Director. With more than 25 years of commercial, technical, and management experience in the critical power industry, Ian takes on overall day-to-day responsibilities for leading the company, which is now based in a facility in H2 Baldonnell Business Park, Dublin 22, after recently relocating from its original premises in Ballycoolin, Dublin 11. Ian has a long history in the power protection industry, including nearly 20 years managing Pure Power Systems, an independent UPS distributor he founded and scaled until its acquisition by a US multinational company in 2017. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from TU Dublin, a Postgraduate Certificate in Energy Systems and Decarbonisation from Dublin City University, and an MBA from Dublin City University Business School. His appointment signals a renewed push to increase brand awareness of Riello UPS in the data centre, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, medtech, aviation, fintech, and telecoms markets. Riello UPS Ireland launched in November 2022, becoming the seventeenth subsidiary of the Italian headquartered RPS, the second-largest manufacturer of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) in Europe. Ian comments, “I was very fortunate to be the first Irish distributor of Riello UPS systems when I formed Pure Power Systems back in 2003 and am now privileged to directly represent this wonderful company in Ireland. “I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with my many colleagues throughout the industry and leading our fantastic team to offer the very best in critical power products and services.” Ian will work closely with Leo Craig, the long-standing Managing Director of Riello UPS in the UK, who, until this appointment, had previously combined overseeing both the UK and Irish subsidiaries. Leo says, “We are thrilled to welcome Ian to the team. He brings incredible commercial, technical, and management experience, as well as a huge passion for leadership and customer service. “Riello UPS is already a well-established brand in Ireland with strong links through several resellers and distributors. But we still have huge untapped potential for growth, and we believe under Ian’s stewardship we are now well-placed to fully capitalise on this expanding market for us.” An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides protection against electrical power outages and disturbances. It offers instantaneous battery backup that enables critical equipment like computers, IT systems, and machinery to keep running until the power returns or a standby generator kicks in. For more from Riello UPS, click here.

AFL launches modular optical fibre platform, DENALI

AFL, a manufacturer of fibre optic cables, connectivity, and equipment, today introduced DENALI, a modular optical fibre platform that is specifically designed for high-growth GPU environments with minimal infrastructure upgrades. The DENALI platform hopes to position the "facilities of tomorrow" to scale with the increasing complexity and volume of hyperscale and AI workloads. With its modular design, the DENALI platform is intended to adapt as networks grow, featuring advanced rack-mount hardware, cassettes, and pre-terminated customisable assemblies. The platform delivers up to 288 LC duplex ports (576 fibres) in 4RU of rack space and supports speeds from 10GB to 800GB. “The market is undergoing a major shift, where AI-driven densification is transforming how data centres approach fibre deployment," says Marc Bolick, President of Product Solutions at AFL. “The DENALI platform was developed in response to this shift of handling faster scaling, reduced downtime, and solid reliability that AI workloads actually need." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUsC9fFARRA Features of the DENALI platform The platform seeks to "accelerate AI cluster expansions, reduce time-to-market, and drive faster time-to-revenue with stronger ROI on infrastructure builds." • Simplified deployment process — The platform's design reduces the number of components required for installation, streamlining inventory management and reducing potential points of failure. • System integration — DENALI is designed for integration with existing infrastructure, aiming to minimise disruption during upgrades and expansions. • Enhanced fibre management — The platform’s cable management systems hope to reduce maintenance requirements and improve long-term network reliability.

Vawlt 3.2 'supercloud' storage platform launches

Portuguese cloud storage platform Vawlt Technologies has just unveiled Vawlt 3.2, the newest release of its 'supercloud' data storage platform. The update introduces live, "zero-downtime" cloud switching, expands native coverage to three additional European clouds, brings full MinIO-powered private-cloud integration, and delivers engine optimisations that reportedly cut resource consumption while boosting throughput by up to 40× on high-demand workloads. New features in Vawlt 3.2 include: ● Switching clouds with "no downtime" – There's the ability to replace underlying clouds on an active Vawlt volume, with data migrating in the background while applications keep running.● Three new EU clouds – Native support for IONOS Cloud, Scaleway, and Impossible Cloud lets organisations build fully EU-resident or mixed-region Supercloud volumes.● MinIO private-cloud integration – On-prem or partner-hosted MinIO clusters now appear in the Vawlt console alongside public clouds for unified policy and data-plane control.● Performance and efficiency boost – The re-engineered storage engine, according to the company, "slashes CPU/RAM needs and delivers up to 40x faster bulk-data transfers on selected workloads." This release marks a step in Vawlt’s mission to keep data ownership with the organisations that create it. Cloud switching seeks to dissolve vendor lock-in, an expanded roster of EU providers to anchor data inside chosen jurisdictions, and private-cloud onboarding to extend sovereignty to infrastructure businesses already own. As the EU Data Act’s portability requirements come into force on 12 September 2025, Vawlt 3.2 - the company claims - "equips enterprises to meet the letter of the law while granting operational independence to navigate supply-chain risk [and] shifting regulations." Ricardo Mendes, CEO & Co-Founder, Vawlt, comments, “True digital freedom is the ability to be independent of cloud providers — including the right to pick the right cloud, or clouds, at any point in time, without fear of downtime, lock-in, or bill shock. Vawlt 3.2 turns that vision into a push-button reality. Whether you’re preparing for the EU Data Act’s portability rules or safeguarding your business against supply-chain risk, you’re now fully in control of where your data lives and how fast it moves.”

Teleste and VodafoneZiggo roll out DOCSIS 4.0 broadband

Teleste, a Finnish technology company that provides broadband, security, and information technology, has announced an agreement to supply its 1.8 GHz broadband technology to VodafoneZiggo, a cable broadband operator in the Netherlands, enabling the spectrum capability required for DOCSIS 4.0. Teleste will supply 1.8 GHz intelligent amplifiers, multitaps, and telemetry solutions to VodafoneZiggo’s nationwide network upgrade. The first phase of deliveries has proceeded successfully in 2025, kicking off a multi-year collaboration aimed at transforming the region’s broadband landscape. With an area in central Amsterdam already upgraded, this roll out represents Europe’s first major deployment of a 1.8 GHz network in preparation for DOCSIS 4.0. “This partnership marks an important next step in our renewed strategy focused on improving the customer experience, delivering fast and reliable internet across the Netherlands, and making targeted investments in our network and core activities. We continue to develop to ensure our customers enjoy stable WiFi throughout their homes and simplified internet services,” comments Thomas Helbo, Chief Technology Officer at VodafoneZiggo. Teleste asserts that with its 1.8 GHz amplifiers, VodafoneZiggo can identify and resolve network issues in real time, minimising service interruptions and "ensuring customers enjoy consistent, high-quality internet." “VodafoneZiggo’s investment in DOCSIS 4.0 technology, with its 10G promise, exemplifies how cable infrastructure will remain competitive for the next 10+ years. This agreement demonstrates our leadership in 1.8 GHz broadband technology and our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the market,” claims Ulf Andersson, Head of Teleste’s Broadband Networks business. “We look forward to working closely with VodafoneZiggo to upgrade their network infrastructure and deliver superior connectivity experiences to subscribers.” The partnership, according to the companies, marks a milestone in the rollout of 1.8 GHz broadband technology across Europe, and this collaboration "will pave the way for other operators in the region to adopt next-generation DOCSIS 4.0 solutions."