News

Aligned debuts its Advanced Cooling Lab

Aligned Data Centers, a technology infrastructure company, has announced the launch of its new Advanced Cooling Lab. The lab is dedicated to testing and developing Aligned’s air and liquid cooling solutions for Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and emerging AI accelerators. Aligned's Phoenix-based Advanced Cooling Lab has been designed to promote hybrid cooling environments and advance data centre infrastructure. The company's Delta Cube air-cooled system and DeltaFlow liquid-cooled system aim to ensure customers have the capacity and performance needed for AI and HPC workloads. “Aligned has been innovating data centre cooling for more than a decade,” says Michael Welch, Chief Technology Officer at Aligned Data Centers. “The Advanced Cooling Lab is a testament to our commitment to delivering cutting-edge data centre solutions and our passion for innovation. By investing in research and development, we can continue to provide our customers with the most flexible and advanced infrastructure available, capable of handling the dynamic demands of AI workloads.” For more from Aligned, click here.

Castrol launches new fluid management service

Castrol, a British multinational lubricants company owned by BP, known for its presence in the automotive industry, has launched a new fluid management service for data centre liquid cooling, addressing a critical gap as the industry transitions away from traditional air-cooling systems. Announced at the Datacloud Global Congress 2025 in Cannes, France, Castrol’s new service model aims to cover all four phases of the data centre operation lifecycle: system start-up, ongoing maintenance, break-fix support, and fluid disposal. The approach is designed to help remove operational barriers in the adoption of liquid cooling in data centres. "Data centre operators recognise the benefits of liquid cooling but need assurance around long-term fluid management," states Peter Huang, Global Vice President of Data Centre Thermal Management at Castrol. "Castrol has delivered fluid services for the automotive industry for decades – we're now bringing this proven expertise to data centres with a service model that supports optimal performance throughout the entire lifecycle.” The four-phase service includes:1. System start-up support with fluid installation, filtration, system flushing, and certificates of analysis.2. Ongoing maintenance, such as laboratory testing, dynamic monitoring, predictive maintenance, and smart dosing capabilities.3. ‘Break-fix’ service, including telephone assistance, virtual engineering support, on-site response, and spare fluid availability.4. Support with fluid collection and disposal. Castrol’s service launch comes at a time when the data centre industry faces mounting pressure to improve cooling efficiency. Recent industry research indicates that traditional air-cooling systems struggle to handle increased computing demands from AI and edge computing applications, with 74% of data centre experts believing immersion cooling is now essential to meet current power requirements. "Our aim with this new service model is to remove the operational and technical uncertainties that have slowed liquid cooling adoption," says Andrea Zunino, Global Offer Development Manager at Castrol. "Within liquid cooling systems, the fluid represents a single point of failure – degraded conditions can reduce cooling capacity and lead to equipment failure. We're going beyond just fluid supply to deliver structured support at every stage, giving data centre operators the confidence they need to embrace liquid cooling.” The new service model will be deployed globally through Castrol's partner network. All services will be delivered with third-party suppliers. The availability and rollout of certain services may vary by location and may be introduced at different times depending on regional factors. For more from Castrol, click here.

Yondr's first milestone at Johor data centre

Yondr Group, a global developer, owner, and operator of hyperscale data centres, has handed over the first 25MW IT of the company’s Johor data centre to its client six months ahead of schedule. The 98MW IT data centre is part of the largest hyperscale data centre campus in Southeast Asia. Located in Johor’s Sedenak Tech Park, the data centre is situated on Yondr’s 300MW IT campus, set on a 72.5-acre site. The asset is Yondr’s first facility to enter into live operation in the APAC region, marking a milestone in the company’s global expansion as it also continues to deliver developments across Europe and North America. Yondr’s Johor data centre has been designed and delivered as an AI/ML facility to enable the latest GPU technology as demand for AI systems grows. The company additionally continues to work towards completion on several live projects around the world, with assets across three continents now in their operational phase. Mark Avery, Senior Vice President of Design & Construction APAC at Yondr Group, says, “The first ready-for-service (RFS) milestone at our data centre is a momentous occasion for Yondr, for our 300MW+ IT campus, and for the APAC data centre market. “As the data race continues to escalate thanks to the growth in AI, we are delivering on our blueprint for direct-to-chip cooled, cost-efficient, secure, and scalable data centres around the world, supporting our clients to provide the urgent capacity they require in strategic locations, with resilience and sustainability designed into every asset.” Aksel Vansten, Development Director, APAC, adds, “Yondr entered the Malaysian data centre market just three years ago and became one of Johor’s pioneers, joined by some of the largest data centre developer-operators and cloud AI/ML end users in the globe. “We are proud to be delivering our initial RFS milestone here so far ahead of schedule with a project that brought online the largest scale and highest quality asset in the region with an unyielding commitment to health and safety. We are thankful to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), as well as International Finance Corporation (IFC) and all our lenders and vendors for their invaluable support.” Achieving the data centre’s first completion milestone follows Yondr securing more than $900 million in project financing for the development last December. The financing was provided by a consortium of lenders, including DBS Bank, Deutsche Bank, Global Infrastructure Partners (a part of Blackrock), HSBC, International Finance Corporation (IFC), ING, and Natixis CIB. Working with the syndicate lenders, Yondr secured the financing as a green loan. Hisham Muhammad, Yondr’s Client Solutions Engineering Director, APAC, comments, “Liquid-to-chip and heat rejection will be central to achieving industry-leading PUE standards at our facility in Johor, delivering on Yondr’s green loan obligations, our sustainability aims, and the client’s vision for long-term environmental performance. “We are delighted not only to celebrate our first completion milestone, but also to be announcing it six months ahead of schedule. We’d like to thank our client for working in close collaboration with us – an approach that Yondr aspires to on every project.” Paul Dillon, Chief Development Officer, concludes, “What has been achieved on this landmark project is a testament to our people’s strategic foresight and commitment to forging deep local partnerships. It positions Malaysia as a regional hub for digital innovation and ensures our clients are ready for the data-driven future. I would like to personally thank our internal Yondr teams and valued partners, without whom this wouldn’t be possible.” For more from Yondr, click here.

DE-CIX Dallas completes infrastructure upgrade

DE-CIX, an Internet Exchange (IX) operator, has announced the completion of a major infrastructure upgrade for DE-CIX Dallas – the largest data centre and carrier neutral IX in Texas. As part of the upgrade, 400 GE (Gigabit Ethernet) access ports are now generally available to customers, 100 GE access options have been expanded, and the platform has also been made 800 GE-ready, with the aim of helping the region prepare for the upcoming boom in internet peering services and latency-sensitive AI applications. One of the key changes of the upgrade is enhanced 100 GE access options for customers, now including 100 GE LR technology. While traditional 100 GE LR4 access requires four lasers for transmission, 100 GE LR requires only one laser and uses pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) to ship data at 100 Gbit/s for a lower hardware cost, increasing efficiency and reducing the cost of optical hardware on the customer side. According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the industry consortium 100G Lambda MSA, this could result in a transceiver cost reduction of more than 40%. Customer hand-off using 100 GE LR4 will continue to be available. The upgrade of DE-CIX Dallas using 400 GE wavelength technology should also increase the scalability of the platform. Additionally, the company has upgraded the US-wide backbone connecting Dallas to locations such as New York, Chicago, and Seattle, and has also connected the city to DE-CIX’s recently commissioned distributed IX in Mexico, with access points in Mexico City and Queretaro. News of the Dallas upgrade comes just weeks after the announcement that Nokia was selected by DE-CIX to upgrade New York’s largest IX backbone to 400 GE wavelength technology while offering 800 GE support. DE-CIX Internet and Cloud Exchanges in New York, Dallas, Chicago, Richmond, Houston, Phoenix, and the dedicated Cloud Exchange in Seattle, together with the Mexican IX, now form the largest carrier and data centre neutral interconnection ecosystem in the North America. If Texas was a country, it would be the eighth largest economy in the world, surpassing the likes of Brazil and Italy with a GDP of $2.4 trillion. According to analysts at Cushman and Wakefield, Dallas ranks sixth in global data centre market size, and the city was also recently ranked as the top business hub in America – in part due to its reputation for technological innovation. This upgrade to DE-CIX Dallas increases data capacity on the regional exchange and hopes to prime it for future growth. “By providing 100 GE LR and 400 GE access, introducing 400 GE wavelength technology in the backbone, and making the hub 800 GE-ready, we have now effectively future-proofed DE-CIX Dallas for the emerging needs of its customers,” comments Thomas King, CTO of DE-CIX. “Demand for large capacities and easy-to-consume interconnection services is set to increase dramatically in the coming years, driven by traffic from high-resolution video content, online gaming, and – of course – artificial intelligence. Customers require simplified solutions to ensure seamless integration of interconnection into their network management and infrastructure strategies to keep pace with this data traffic growth. This is why we not only increased capacity, but also further increased the resilience of the network and added an additional router in the Equinix DA11 facility.” DE-CIX Dallas is the operator’s second largest IX in North America, with over 140 networks connected. According to Ed d’Agostino, Vice President, DE-CIX North America, “Dallas is a vital transmission hub for our entire North American ecosystem, with a massive coverage potential spanning the South and Southwest regions of the USA and eastern Mexico. The investment in upgrading DE-CIX Dallas demonstrates our continuing commitment to this very important market and the expectation of substantial additional growth.” For more from DE-CIX, click here.

EUDCA’s research affirms critical importance of data centres

The European Data Centre Association (EUDCA), a trade body representing data centre operators, suppliers, and stakeholders across Europe, has announced the publication of its inaugural State of European Data Centres report, in collaboration with European National Trade Associations (NTAs). The new report marks an important step in documenting and recording the state of the industry, allowing greater ongoing analysis and insights, tracking progress and development, and reflecting a vibrant industry that while experiencing challenges, has potential to be at the heart of a digital Europe. Michael Winterson, Secretary General of the EUDCA, says, “Europe’s digital economies could not have been established without the backbone of data centres that provide digital sovereignty while contributing significantly to GDP. The State of European Data Centres 2025 provides a benchmark of this vital industry and a reference point for informed, data-driven decision-making as we continue building Europe’s digital future.” According to the report, the data centre industry contributes significantly to Europe’s socio-economic landscape. Colocation data centres alone were responsible for €30 billion in GDP in 2023, expected to reach €83.8 billion by 2030, with the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The market is expanding rapidly, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital service growth, with demand outstripping supply and attracting billions of euros in investment. Major centres of activity include Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin (FLAPD), with intense activity in emerging hubs in the Nordics and Southern Europe. Additionally, new metropolitan hubs are emerging in and around cities such as Barcelona, Rome, and Athens. “A key implication from the report,” continues Michael, “is the need for data centres, as large energy consumers, to become flexible energy partners to grid providers.” Sustainability data shows that more than a quarter (28%) of operators have invested in on-site renewable energy generation capability, and 41% plan to do so. In support of these efforts, 28% are planning on installing battery energy storage systems (BESS) within the next two years. Currently, nearly a quarter (22%) of data centre operators provide grid stabilisation or energy trading capacity to energy grids, greatly facilitating further utilisation of renewable energy sources (RES). This will almost triple (59%) in the next two years. All of this means that data centre operators, through increased resilience and energy independence, can engage with grid operators to relieve stress on grids, while providing supports such as grid stabilisation services. The report finds the industry faces challenges related to power availability, sustainability, and regulatory compliance as new reporting obligations recently came into effect. More than a third (36%) said that regulatory compliance will be a challenge over the next three years. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation in energy efficiency, flexibility, and heat reuse. The sector's continued growth will necessitate ongoing investments in sustainability to minimise environmental impact. Another bright spot is improvement in water usage. Of those operators who reported water usage effectiveness (WUE), the average was 0.31 litre per kWh for 2023, well below the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact (CNDCP) target of 0.4 l/kWh for water-stressed areas. The industry is also advancing technologies such as liquid cooling and heat reuse to improve efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint. Currently, half of operators have residual heat coupling capability, with a further 38% expected in two years. Already, three quarters of operators have energy or environmental management systems in place. The data centre industry also faces significant challenges, including power supply constraints, permitting delays, and a growing skills gap in technical fields. More than 75% of survey respondents consider access to power as the biggest challenge for the sector in the next three years, despite a willingness to invest in alternative solutions to access power. Energy costs are also a concern, as rising wholesale prices impact operators. The additional responsibility of regulatory compliance was also significant, with more than a third (36%) citing it as a major challenge in the near future. There are significant concerns that duplication and redundancy in reporting frameworks will deter compliance, reducing effectiveness and frustrating regulatory goals. For more from the EUDCA, click here.

Siemens, Cadolto, Legrand introduce new modular data centre

Siemens Smart Infrastructure, a division of German conglomerate Siemens focusing on intelligent building technologies, energy systems, and digital infrastructure solutions, Cadolto Datacenter, and Legrand Data Center Solutions are jointly unveiling a next-generation, modular edge data centre. The system will debut at Data Center World Frankfurt, taking place 4-5 June 2025. Unlike containerised data centres, this solution aims to offer customisable, prefabricated modules that can be tailored to operational needs and deployed faster. Siemens integrates its full suite of Smart Infrastructure technologies – from medium- and low-voltage power distribution to building automation, fire safety, and physical security systems. Cadolto acts as manufacturer and general contractor of the modular edge data centre, delivering the prefabricated modular building with integrated climate control. Legrand brings its knowledge in IT white space infrastructure – from racks and structured cabling to intelligent Power Distribution Units (PDUs) and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems. “With digital transformation accelerating across every industry, our customers need infrastructure that moves as fast as they do,” says Ciaran Flanagan, Global Head of Data Center Solutions & Services at Siemens AG. “This solution offers all the performance of a traditional data centre, but with the agility to scale quickly, tailored to our customers’ specific needs. When ramping up capacity, it’s just a case of plugging it in.” The data centre has been designed to be suitable for both permanent operation and interim use, to be able to be deployed wherever needed – from high-performance computing in pharmaceutical environments to temporary applications such as test setups in the automotive sector or space-constrained office locations. There will also be “IT-ready” rental models which intend to enable fast deployment without upfront investment, making them appropriate for temporary IT hubs, lab environments, or other short-term infrastructure needs. Visitors can experience the new data centre first-hand at Data Center World Frankfurt, Hall 8, Catering Area CA4, where a full-scale demo unit will be on display. For more from Siemens, click here.

JTS opens second Idaho facility

JTS, a Mission Critical Group (MCG) company, has announced the opening of a new 172,000 ft² manufacturing facility on 14 acres in Nampa, Idaho, USA, known as JTS Nampa 1. The $55 million investment adds 140 jobs, doubles the company’s production capacity, and supports long-term economic growth in the region. MCG’s US-based manufacturing footprint now exceeds 1 million ft², reinforcing its commitment to building critical power infrastructure in America. “This expansion marks a pivotal moment for JTS and the customers we serve,” says Greg Blake, President of JTS. “We’re doubling our capacity and accelerating our ability to deliver innovative, high-quality power solutions that keep critical infrastructure running. We’re proud to invest in the community and drive the next chapter of American manufacturing here in Idaho.” JTS now operates three locations: Caldwell, ID; Nampa, ID; and Abilene, TX. JTS Nampa 1, located near the Caldwell facility, shares resources and was built using LEAN manufacturing principles. “The new Nampa facility is more than an expansion – it’s a milestone in our mission to shape the future of American manufacturing,” comments Jeff Drees, CEO of Mission Critical Group. “It strengthens our ability to serve data centres, hospitals, utilities, and other critical infrastructure with dependable power solutions. We’re also proud that our shared ownership model gives employees a real stake in our success, aligning our growth with the prosperity of the people who power it.” Due to ongoing investments in data centres, infrastructure, and advanced technologies, the United States' electricity demand is expected to increase by over 50% by 2050. Meeting this growing energy need will require innovative and resilient power and electrical system solutions. Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling adds, “We’re proud to welcome JTS’s new facility to Nampa. This investment brings 140 quality jobs to our city and strengthens our local economy. It’s a great example of how strategic partnerships and innovation can fuel lasting impact in our community.” A grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration, including remarks and tours, will take place at the JTS Nampa 1 facility on 17 June 2025 from 12:00pm to 3:30pm MT. For more from JTS, click here.

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.

House of Commons boosts data workforce by 50%

The UK's House of Commons has splashed £7.5 million into data spending and staff over the past three years, underscoring its strategic commitment to data as a cornerstone of national research and innovation. As the public sector embraces AI at pace, with over 70% of government bodies piloting or planning AI implementation, the demand for robust data infrastructure and skilled personnel has never been greater. In response, the House of Commons has quietly ramped up hiring and spending on data roles, reflecting a broader strategic shift towards data-centric governance. Over the past three years, the number of staff in the House of Commons with "data" in their job titles has jumped from 49 in 2022 to 73 in early 2025, marking a 49% increase. Alongside this, total salary investment for data roles rose by more than 63%, from £1.83 million to £2.98 million, excluding final April 2025 figures still pending payroll completion. The figures reflect a growing recognition within Parliament that AI innovation is only as effective as the data that underpins it. Stuart Harvey, CEO of Datactics, comments, "There's a growing appetite across government to harness the power of AI, but what's often overlooked is that AI is only as reliable as the data it's built on. The House of Commons' investment in data roles is a critical step toward ensuring its systems are grounded in quality, governance, and accuracy. "Hiring the right data professionals and embedding strong data practices is no longer optional, it's essential. Without it, organisations risk deploying AI that makes poor decisions based on flawed information. In this new era, those who prioritise data integrity will be the ones who gain real value from AI." The increase in data staffing at the heart of Parliament reflects a wider cultural shift toward long-term digital resilience, ensuring that public institutions are equipped to harness AI ethically and effectively. Richard Bovey, Head of Data at AND Digital, says, "The House of Commons is leading the way for data investment, with 66% of businesses agreeing that data investment is a top priority for their organisation, according to our recent Data Loyalty research. This move signals a long-term commitment to data-driven governance at the heart of the public sector. "As the UK advances its position as a global leader in science and technology, building in-house data capability is vital, not only to unlock innovation, but also to safeguard, embedded from the ground up, enabling institutions to innovate responsibly. "But data alone isn't enough. Organisational culture plays a crucial role in turning insight into impact and a culture that truly values curiosity, empathy, and accountability is what transforms data points into better decisions and more meaningful outcomes. By investing in its data workforce, the House of Commons is laying a robust foundation for smarter, more ethical, and future-ready public services. It's a necessary step toward creating a public sector that is both digitally progressive and aligned with democratic values."

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.