News

Innodisk launches SSD series for data centre applications

Innodisk, an industrial-grade flash storage provider, has announced the launch of its latest PCIe Gen5 SSD series, which is designed to meet the OCP Data Centre NVMe SSD spec v2.0 and the increasing demands of AI model training, big data analytics, and data-intensive environments. The new series supports multiple form factors, including U.2, as well as EDSFF E1.S, E3.S, and the brand new E3.L for data centre applications, catering to the diverse needs of enterprise and data centre environments. Innodisk tells us that the new series marks a new chapter for the company in terms of further fulfilling enterprise demands. The Innodisk PCIe Gen5 SSD, built with the latest PCIe Gen 5 x4 interface and NVMe 2.0 protocol, is designed to overcome the speed and latency limitations of traditional storage interfaces. With up to 128TB of high density NAND storage, it delivers speeds of up to 14GB/s (read) and 10GB/s (write), enabling lightning-fast data transfers for data-intensive applications. Enterprise data centres managing large-scale storage deployments and multi-tiered environments often require out-of-band and batch management capabilities, which present growing challenges. Innodisk PCIe Gen5 SSD addresses these demands with NVMe-MI for streamlined SSD management and multi namespace support, ensuring scalable and efficient storage operations. To ensure high quality and alignment with market trends, the PCIe Gen5 SSD aims to enhance integration with industry-leading data centre standards, such as OCP Data Centre NVMe SSD spec v2.0. Additionally, it is intended to be built for seamless integration with VMware, optimising compatibility with virtualisedenvironments and overall system performance. Innodisk’s PCIe Gen5 SSD also features advanced security mechanisms, ensuring robust data protection and seamless integration. Secure Boot technology authenticates digital signatures during firmware updates, preventing unauthorised modifications and ensuring that only trusted firmware is executed.

Nokia partners with atNorth to support cloud services in Finland

atNorth, a Nordic colocation, high-performance computing and AI service provider, has announced plans to support Nokia’s cloud infrastructure with a multi megawatt deployment at its FIN02 site in Finland (pictured above). The contract spans over 12 years and includes potential extensions totalling over 10MW. Nokia, one of the world’s leading telecommunications and networking technology companies, is headquartered in Finland and has long utilised Finnish data centres, leveraging the country’s cool climate and renewable energy sources to ensure the sustainability of its workloads. In fact, the business was ranked as the most sustainable telecoms and communications company in the world earlier this year. Nokia and atNorth have built a long-standing relationship through atNorth’s use of Nokia data centre switches that power its HPCaaS offering, which currently runs from its data centres in Iceland and Sweden. Well versed in the evolving data centre landscape, Nokia was looking for a data centre partner that could accommodate its high-density infrastructure needs without compromising its environmental credentials. The business required capacity suitable for high-density workloads of more than 130kw per rack, available at speed and with the potential for future scalability. Located in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, atNorth’s newest data centre, FIN02, runs on renewable energy and features robust power and liquid cooling capabilities. Built for scalability, its modular design supports high-performance workloads. A collaboration with Kesko Corporation enables waste heat recycling to heat a nearby store, further lowering its carbon footprint. “atNorth was able to meet our complex technical requirements at speed without compromising on our sustainability goals,” says Marika Mentula, Vice President for Network Infrastructure North Europe at Nokia. “By helping support our cloud infrastructure at atNorth’s FIN02 data center, we can deliver high-performance infrastructure that supports our most demanding applications.” Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO of atNorth, adds, “As the data centre industry continues to grow at record speed, it’s clear that businesses are increasingly seeking the full package - sustainable, secure, infrastructure that can scale rapidly. Our longstanding partnership with Nokia, rooted in the hardware demands of our HPCaaS offering and built on a shared commitment to sustainability, is a testament to that. It adds to a growing list of globally recognized companies that trust atNorth with their mission-critical data and rely on us to deliver best-in-class service.” The news follows atNorth’s recent announcement of its heat reuse partnership with retail giant, Kesko Corporation at its FIN02 data centre in Finland. The business has two other metro sites near Helsinki, and a fourth ‘mega’ site - which is currently in development in Kouvola - is expected to be operational by the end of 2025. For more from atNorth, click here.

Arteco launches direct-to-chip liquid cooling for data centres

Arteco, a provider of liquid cooling innovations, today announced its expansion into the data centre and electronics market with its Zitrec EC brand. The company states that the new brand arrives at a "critical moment", citing the escalating computational demands of today’s powerful technologies - like Generative AI and Large Language Models - which produce unprecedented heat loads which are threatening system performance, energy efficiency, and hardware reliability in the event that improved thermal management solutions aren't implemented. Zitrec EC, which is a versatile portfolio of Mono Propylene Glycol (MPG)-based, water-based and Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG)-based formulations with OAT (Organic Additive Technology), is specifically designed to help tackle these challenges. This advanced range of direct-to-chip coolants is engineered to deliver exceptional thermal performance and energy efficiency, allowing components to operate at higher calculating power without the risk of overheating. Its advanced features provide long-lasting corrosion protection, which can extend equipment lifespan and provide a safeguard against downtime. Zitrec EC therefore simplifies hardware maintenance, Arteco says, while significantly lowering the total cost and complexity of thermal management systems. “In this incredibly exciting era of AI and other technological advancements, we recognised a clear opportunity to combine our decades of cooling expertise with our relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainability, thereby empowering the digital infrastructure of tomorrow,” says Serge Lievens, Technology Manager at Arteco. Alexandre Moireau, General Manager of Arteco, adds, “Our biggest strength in this new Zitrec EC chapter is the same unwavering commitment to product excellence and deep customer intimacy that established us as a trusted leader in the automotive world. In the data centre space, we will continue to proactively co-create with our customers, delivering tailored cooling solutions that meet, and exceed, their most demanding requirements. This is how we want to set new standards in thermal management in the data center and electronics market.” As part of its broader sustainability strategy, Arteco has also announced the upcoming launch of a new bio-based MPG addition to its new Zitrec EC line. This new product complements the existing recycled MPG variant, underscores Arteco’s commitment to environmentally responsible innovation and offers the same product performance and quality as the other products in the Zitrec EC range. For more from Arteco, click here.

Powering the growth of modular data centres

By Andrew Skelton, Sales Manager, Centiel. The data centre industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by the exponential increase in digital demand, from cloud computing and IoT devices to AI and big data. This surge has led to mounting pressure on infrastructure providers to deliver capacity faster, more efficiently, and in increasingly constrained environments. Several factors are fuelling this rapid transformation. Urban areas are running out of space, planning permission for new builds can be time-consuming and complex, and the pace at which businesses require digital services has never been faster. In response to these challenges, modular data centres are emerging as a powerful solution. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar facilities, modular data centres are pre-engineered, prefabricated units - often based on 20 or 40-foot ISO shipping containers or custom-built enclosures. These compact, self-contained modules can be deployed indoors or outdoors, stacked vertically, or added in phases to scale infrastructure quickly. Their flexibility and portability also make them particularly well-suited for edge computing, where latency-sensitive applications require infrastructure closer to end users. One major advantage of modular data centres is the speed of deployment. Because they are classified as temporary or mobile structures in many regions, they can often bypass the full planning and approval processes required for permanent facilities. This allows organisations to get operational faster - sometimes within weeks - unlocking significant business value. However, one of the key technical considerations in modular deployments is power. Delivering reliable, continuous energy within the constraints of a small, high-density footprint is a significant challenge. That’s where modern, ultra-compact, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems come into play. Space is a precious commodity in modular environments. Traditional UPS systems are often too bulky to fit the physical and functional needs of these compact builds. As a result, there’s a growing demand for UPS solutions that deliver maximum power density in the smallest possible space, while also ensuring high energy efficiency and resilience. Centiel has specifically engineered its StratusPower UPS to meet these challenges. The company's multiple award-winning, three-phase, modular UPS is available with an ultra-compact frame that maximises vertical space, significantly reducing the floor area required. With an impressive power density of up to 1059kW/m², StratusPower is among the most space-efficient UPS systems available on the market today. StratusPower supports a scalable capacity range from 50kW to 1.8MW per cabinet and can be paralleled to deliver up to 5.4MW of clean, uninterrupted power. With a class-leading VFI (Voltage and Frequency Independent) operating efficiency of 97.6%, the system not only ensures power reliability but also helps reduce operating costs and improve overall sustainability - key factors in modern data centre design. As the industry continues to embrace modular and containerised infrastructure, compact, high-performance UPS systems will play an increasingly central role. Centiel’s StratusPower provides the flexibility, scalability, and reliability needed to power the next generation of digital infrastructure ensuring that modular growth doesn’t come at the cost of performance or efficiency. For more from Centiel, click here.

CtrlS Datacenters to invest in Bhopal facility

CtrlS Datacenters, Asia's largest Rated‑4 data centre operator, has announced a significant milestone with the virtual ground-breaking of its greenfield data centre in Bhopal, India, by the Honourable Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav. The ceremonial event took place during the Tech Growth Conclave 2025 on 27 April in Indore, where the Chief Minister virtually presided over the proceedings, demonstrating the State's forward-looking approach to digital innovation. The upcoming facility, will be built on a five-acre land parcel allotted by the Madhya Pradesh government in Badwai IT Park, representing a significant investment of Rs 500 Crore (£44.1m) and is projected to generate around 200 jobs over its phased development. This strategic investment will boost the region's digital ecosystem by supporting high‑performance cloud computing, AI, and data processing applications. The data centre's establishment strategically aligns with Madhya Pradesh's ambitious policy framework, including the IT, ITeS & ESDM Investment Promotion Policy 2023, offering up to a 25% capital expenditure subsidy and the Global Capability Centres Policy 2025, targeting more than 50 global tech centres. These initiatives align with the State's vision of achieving a $2 trillion economy by 2047 and position it as a leading destination for high-tech investments backed by world-class digital infrastructure. Highlighting the importance of the milestone, Sridhar Pinnapureddy, Chairman & MD of CtrlS Datacenters, says, “Our significant investment in this facility is a testament to our commitment to driving India’s digital future transformation. We chose Madhya Pradesh for its visionary leadership in fostering an enabling business and policy environment, a strategic location that can act as a digital crossroads for Central India and untapped potential as a technology talent hub. Our upcoming data centre is designed not only for today's needs, but also as a foundation for future technologies that will drive enterprise innovation and elevate the State’s digital capabilities.” The AI-ready data centre will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure, including advanced cooling and security systems. At full capacity, the data centre is projected to generate an annual State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) of Rs 7.5 crore and a Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) of Rs 7.5 crore. The facility’s cutting-edge capabilities will ensure 24/7 operational reliability and high uptime, establishing the facility as a critical node within the region's digital ecosystem. CtrlS Datacenters has a nationwide presence with 250 MW (IT Load) of combined data centre capacity across key Tier 1 markets, including Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Noida, and Kolkata. CtrlS Datacenters also operates edge data centre facilities in Tier 2 markets such as Patna and Lucknow, with further expansions planned in these markets along with GIFT City (Ahmedabad), Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati. For more from CtrlS Datacenters, click here.

Inaugural AI Compute Summit to take place

Economist Impact has announced the inaugural AI Compute Summit, which is scheduled for 22 May 2025, at the Scandic Copenhagen in Denmark. The event will convene over 300 industry leaders to explore the critical challenges of scaling, optimising, and securing compute infrastructure to power the next era of AI. As AI technologies rapidly evolve, the demand for computing power intensifies, leading to fierce competition for scarce resources such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and accelerators. The energy consumption required to power these advanced models raises environmental concerns and escalates operational costs. The AI Compute summit will address these pressing issues, focusing on building scalable, sustainable systems and strategies to power AI responsibly and efficiently.The event will feature over 60 influential speakers, including: • Nadia Carlsten, Chief Executive, Danish Centre for AI Innovation• David Power, Chief Technology Officer, Nscale• Lene B. Oddershede, Senior Vice-President nat-tech, Novo Nordisk Foundation• Per Öster, Director, advanced computing facility, CSC – IT Centre for Science• Niresh Rajah, Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer, DLA Piper• Pallavi Mahajan, Corporate Vice-President and General Manager, datacenter and AI, Intel• Enrique Mora, Principal Enterprise Architect – AI, global IT, Nestlé In addition to hearing from these industry giants, attendees will participate in thought-provoking discussions about the future of AI compute, addressing the challenges of building scalable, sustainable systems, the intense competition for limited resources and the strategies required to power AI responsibly and efficiently.The event features a dynamic programme of panel discussions, case studies, and fireside chats. Highlights include the panel discussion, 'The Race for AI Accelerators', exploring strategies to overcome high-performance computing shortages, the case study 'Denmark’s Gefion and computing for innovation', showcasing the impact of Denmark’s Gefion project on computational advancements; and the fireside chat, 'Cool customers: transforming data centres with liquid cooling' offering insights into the latest innovations in sustainable cooling technology. The event will also explore key topics such as advancing cloud technologies for scalable AI infrastructure, leveraging distributed computing to maximise efficiency, and integrating sustainable practices into high-demand AI environments. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the future of AI compute and practical approaches to overcoming its challenges.Attendees will have ample opportunities to network with fellow professionals, forge partnerships, and discuss challenges and opportunities across industries. With a global representation of over 300 leaders and senior decision-makers from industries like AI/ML, finance, data science, strategy and operations, participants can engage with cross-industry experts and potential collaborators in dynamic, structured networking sessions.The AI Compute summit is ideal for business leaders looking to scale, optimise and secure compute infrastructure. Register now to secure your spot and gain the insights needed to stay ahead in the race for AI compute.This year’s summit is sponsored by: • Platinum sponsor: Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Lenovo & NVIDIA, Schneider Electric• Gold sponsor: Nscale, io.net, Vultr• Silver sponsor: Orca Computing

Airedale launches AI cooling for data centres

Airedale by Modine, a critical cooling specialist, is now offering an AI-enhanced version of its Cooling System Optimizer. The company believes that the release marks a tangible advancement in cooling and efficiency for high-density data centres. Cooling AI delivers real-time adaptability, predictive intelligence and significant energy savings in response to global data centre industry demand for high-performance, high-efficiency control systems. The patent-pending AI technology utilises a hybrid deep learning model, leveraging machine learning, neural networks and digital twins to maximise efficiency and reduce energy consumption, and enhance operational stability for hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data centres. The Cooling AI system continuously analyses cooling demands, optimises system operations and anticipates future conditions. It works as a supervisory layer to the Optimizer, allowing the building management system (BMS) to handle baseline monitoring functions, with its predictive AI model making proactive adjustments. This ensures the entire system learns from historical data and adheres to the physical laws governing HVAC behaviour. Cooling AI can reduce energy consumption by up to 40%, improving power usage effectiveness (PUE) and driving sustainability gains. Chiller and fan performance is synchronised within the AI-driven data centre cooling control system, improving cooling efficiency and reducing energy use. Furthermore, the reduction in mechanical stress as a result of reduced compressor cycling can extend the equipment life cycle, as well as lower maintenance costs. "As AI-driven computing accelerates, the demand for smarter, scalable and highly efficient cooling infrastructure has never been higher, and it isn't set to stop any time soon," says Reece Thomas, Controls General Manager at Airedale by Modine. "Power densities rise and sustainability expectations will continue to increase, and data centres need cooling solutions that can evolve with them. By embedding AI directly into the control architecture, we are delivering more than just efficiency gains. We are enabling a future where cooling adapts in real time, anticipates challenges before they arise, and continuously improves over time. This is the next frontier in sustainable, high-performance data centre cooling." The new system joins Airedale by Modine's broader suite of cooling technologies designed to meet the needs of the modern data centre. From high-efficiency chillers, precision cooling units and modular fan walls to intelligent controls and airflow management systems, Airedale's solutions are designed to optimise efficiency, reduce energy consumption and enable scalable cooling across the entire data centre ecosystem. Cooling AI is available as a new system or retrofitted to an existing Airedale by Modine Cooling System Optimizer. For more from Airedale by Modine, click here.

Mission Critical Group acquires DVM Power + Control

Mission Critical Group (MCG), a provider of innovative products specialising in design, manufacturing, delivery and service of electrical system solutions, has announced that it has acquired DVM Manufacturing (DVM Power + Control), a manufacturer of low- and medium-voltage electrical distribution equipment. The acquisition significantly expands MCG’s manufacturing footprint and service capabilities in electrical systems for data centres, industrial facilities and other mission critical applications. With 350,000 square feet of production space in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Connecticut, DVM expands MCG’s footprint to over one million square feet of manufacturing capacity. The acquisition also strengthens MCG’s field services, drives innovation, and enhances technical expertise by adding DVM’s skilled workforce, providing customers with more solutions and stronger support. DVM designs and produces low- and medium-voltage electrical distribution equipment, including switchboards, switchgear, relay panels, power distribution units (PDUs), bypasses, power/cooling module 'skid' manufacturing and control systems. Its Naugatuck, Connecticut facility specialises in retrofits, breaker rebuilds and switchgear modernisation, further bolstering MCG’s services and power offerings. “DVM’s expertise advances MCG’s manufacturing and aftermarket services, driving growth and customer satisfaction for our innovative, high-quality solutions,” says Jeff Drees, CEO of Mission Critical Group. “With DVM’s added capacity and technical strengths, we are also expanding our geographic reach, boosting product development and optimising power service offerings to better support data centres and other mission critical environments.” Robert Ricci, CEO of DVM Power + Control, adds, “This partnership is a natural fit, built on a shared commitment to innovation, excellence and customer value. Having worked with MCG’s leadership for 30 years, I can attest to their deep industry knowledge and strategic expertise. This collaboration expands our resources, enhances engineering capabilities and improves career growth, ensuring a stronger future for our team.” DVM will operate as a Mission Critical Group Company alongside JTS and Point Eight Power, continuing to elevate MCG’s leadership in electrical system solutions. As part of the transition, Ricci will continue to lead DVM as its President and oversee MCG’s low- and medium-voltage electrical equipment manufacturing. With five acquisitions in two years, MCG says that this latest addition marks another milestone in its rapid growth, while reinforcing its commitment to innovation and excellence in mission critical solutions. For more from Mission Critical Group, click here.

Lenovo data storage portfolio set to accelerate IT modernisation

Lenovo has announced its largest storage portfolio refresh in company history, unveiling new Lenovo Data Storage Solutions that prepare enterprise IT for the age of AI with better efficiency, performance and scalability. Ushering in a new era of AI-optimised storage that propels business transformation, the complete portfolio includes storage arrays, software defined storage (SDI), and new AI and virtualisation innovations to flexibly address rapidly evolving data operations. Using the solutions, businesses can easily run AI and data modernisation workloads on the next generation of trusted Lenovo ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile infrastructure, unleashing data to power real-time reasoning and confidently deploying AI and data modernisation workloads at scale. As business leaders seek tangible ROI on AI investment, EMEA IDC research commissioned by Lenovo found that data sovereignty, compliance and quality data are the most important AI implementation success factors among CIOs while scaling AI and data quality are among the biggest obstacles. The new portfolio reflects Lenovo’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative storage solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern data centres while helping businesses get the most out of their data. “The new Lenovo Data Storage Solutions help businesses harness AI’s transformative power with a data-driven strategy that ensures scalability, interoperability, and tangible business outcomes powered by trusted infrastructure,” says Scott Tease, Vice President and General Manager of Infrastructure Solutions Product Group at Lenovo. “The new solutions help customers achieve faster time to value no matter where they are on their IT modernisation journey with turnkey AI solutions that mitigate risk and simplify deployment.” Marco Pozzoni, Director, EMEA Storage Sales at Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group, remarks, “This is a pivotal moment for our customers across EMEA. With organisations facing a range of complex challenges, our largest-ever data storage portfolio refresh delivers the performance, efficiency, and data resiliency required by data modernisation and enterprise AI workloads. At a time when businesses are increasingly looking for ROI on their tech investments, these next-generation data storage solutions will empower our customers to unleash the power of their data, securely.” The portfolio spans 21 new ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile models designed with the accelerated computing and efficiency that companies need to kickstart their AI journey, supporting employee productivity and maximising value with solutions for enterprise AI, virtualisation and sustainability. Key innovations include turnkey AI Starter Kits, the industry’s first liquid cooled HCI appliances and converged hybrid cloud and virtualisation solutions. The Data Storage Solutions are finetuned for easy deployment, faster inferencing, workload consolidation and lower total cost of ownership (TCO), delivering enhanced capabilities. • Lenovo ThinkAgile SDI V4 Series provides full-stack, turnkey solutions that simplify IT infrastructure and accelerate computing for data-driven reasoning and faster time to value for AI LLM inferencing workloads.• Engineered to put actionable data insights to work more quickly in business operations, the new Lenovo ThinkSystem Storage Arrays deliver up to three times faster performance while reducing power consumption, providing up to 97% energy savings and 99% density improvement over a Lenovo device featuring 10K HDDs for smaller data centre footprints and lower TCO and when upgrading legacy infrastructure.• New converged Lenovo ThinkAgile and ThinkSystem hybrid cloud and virtualisation solutions deliver flexible and efficient independent scaling of compute and storage capabilities, reducing software licensing costs up to 40%, maximising business value.• New Lenovo ThinkAgile HX Series GPT-in-a-Box solutions featuring Lenovo Neptune Liquid Cooling leverage the industry’s first liquid cooled HCI appliance to deliver turnkey AI inferencing that takes AI from concept to success across distributed applications, from edge to cloud, yielding up to 25% energy savings over previous generation to increase ROI and achieve data-driven breakthroughs.• New AI Starter Kits for Lenovo Hybrid AI Platform deliver a validated, flexible, and easy on-ramp for enterprise inferencing and retrieval-augmented (RAG) workflows. For more from Lenovo, click here.

Top concerns for data centre construction managers revealed

Research from energy solutions specialist, Aggreko, has revealed that a third of data centre construction managers in the UK and more than 40% in Ireland cite the reduction of their projects’ environmental impact as a top concern. Data was collected from 495 construction managers working in the European data centre sector, including 104 from both the UK and Ireland combined. This comes as the data centre industry continues to battle for capacity to meet an exponential increase in demand. According to Savills, there is an insufficient pipeline of data centre development planned through to the end of 2025, with the number of projects needing to increase by almost 2.5 times to meet demand. Additionally, when asked whether sustainability was more important than it was three years ago, respondents to Aggreko’s survey in Ireland valued it the most, with a net important score of 96%. Mirroring this, over 70% of respondents in the UK also said sustainability had grown as a priority. The research highlighted legislation as the main driver for the use of greener technologies in the UK, whereas the need to lower carbon emissions ranked highest in Ireland. However, more than two-thirds of UK respondents and four-fifths of those from Ireland agreed that ‘knowledge of legislation at senior levels is not always implemented on site, which poses a risk to compliance when it comes to decarbonisation’, indicating a level of disconnection between knowledge and implementation. And when asked which greener technology they were likely to use, more than a third of UK respondents cited battery energy storage systems (BESS). A third of respondents from Ireland said future fuel such as hydrogen or biomethanol. However, there remain various significant barriers to the uptake of greener technologies across Europe. In both the UK and Ireland, the cost of investing in these was highlighted as an issue for more than 40% of the market. Notably, a quarter of respondents from these two countries also said it was ‘not easy’ to access biofuels. Speaking about the findings, Billy Durie, Global Sector Head for Data Centres at Aggreko, comments, “It is not a surprise to us that data centre construction managers are finding it difficult to battle the challenges facing the industry. Combined with mounting pressure for more data centre space, it seems that we are currently operating in a perfect storm. “For data centre construction managers active in the UK and Ireland, it is vital they work together with a trusted and reliable energy supplier that understands the industry’s challenges. At Aggreko, we know that it’s not as simple as taking the plunge on greener upgrades; there are various barriers that must be navigated, and managers need flexibility on their side to be able to respond to whatever challenges are thrown their way. “We know, and our survey has shown, that it is not for a lack of wanting that data centre construction managers are unable to meet sustainability targets as quickly or efficiently as they would like. By supporting the industry, we can work together to address many of these issues simultaneously through temporary power storage and provision solutions.” To read Aggreko’s survey in full, click here. For more from Aggreko, click here.