News

Global survey explores networking needs for AI era

The rapid growth of AI workloads is driving a major transformation in data centre network infrastructure, with global data centre experts anticipating a significant increase in interconnect bandwidth needs over the next five years, according to a study commissioned by Ciena. The survey, conducted in partnership with Censuswide, queried more than 1,300 data centre decision-makers across 13 countries. More than half (53%) of respondents believe AI workloads will place the biggest demand on data centre interconnect (DCI) infrastructure over the next two to three years, surpassing cloud computing (51%) and big data analytics (44%). To meet surging AI demands, 43% of new data centre facilities are expected to be dedicated to AI workloads. With AI model training and inference requiring unprecedented data movement, data centre experts predict a massive leap in bandwidth needs. In addition, when asked about the needed performance of fibre optic capacity for DCI, 87% of participants believe they will need 800 Gb/s or higher per wavelength. "AI workloads are reshaping the entire data centre landscape, from infrastructure builds to bandwidth demand," says Jürgen Hatheier, Chief Technology Officer, International, Ciena. "Historically, network traffic has grown at a rate of 20-30% per year. AI is set to accelerate this growth significantly, meaning operators are rethinking their architectures and planning for how they can meet this demand sustainably.” Creating more sustainable AI-driven networks Survey respondents confirm there is a growing opportunity for pluggable optics to support bandwidth demands and address power and space challenges. According to the survey, 98% of data centre experts believe pluggable optics are important for reducing power consumption and the physical footprint of their network infrastructure. Distributed computing The survey also found that, as requirements for AI compute continue to increase, the training of Large Language Models (LLMs) will become more distributed across different AI data centres. According to the survey, 81% of respondents believe LLM training will take place over some level of distributed data centre facilities, which will require DCI solutions to be connected to each other. When asked about the key factors shaping where AI inference will be deployed, the respondents ranked the following priorities: - AI resource utilisation over time is the top priority (63%)- Reducing latency by placing inference compute closer to users at the edge (56%)- Data sovereignty requirements (54%)- Offering strategic locations for key customers (54%) Rather than deploying dark fibre, the majority (67%) of respondents expect to use Managed Optical Fibre Networks (MOFN), which utilise carrier-operated high-capacity networks for long-haul data centre connectivity. "The AI revolution is not just about compute - it’s about connectivity," adds Jürgen. "Without the right network foundation, AI’s full potential can’t be realised. Operators must ensure their DCI infrastructure is ready for a future where AI-driven traffic dominates." For more from Ciena, click here.

Data centre keeps its cool with technology from Spirotech

Spirotech, a water quality specialist, has fulfilled an order for 32 bespoke hi-flow SpiroTrap dirt separators for a data centre installation in Hertfordshire. Keeping such facilities dirt-free is critical. Spirotech worked on the project with trusted contract service partner, Engineering Support Solutions (UK), based on the Slough Trading Estate in Berkshire. ESS (UK) consulted with its prestigious data centre client and, after assessing their needs, designed the pipe connections and the bespoke sizing of the units to reduce the number of infrastructure changes to site. Spirotech supplied with this information developed the stainless-steel production units. Other specification changes included a top demountable lid for easy maintenance access and test points on inlet and outlet arms. The ‘off-the-shelf’ models are made from carbon steel and tin and are equipped with a bottom demountable lid. Lewis Hill, Managing Director of ESS (UK), comments, “After a series of design meetings, both on-site and with Spirotech, the adapted units were successfully manufactured within 22 weeks. We are extremely pleased with the outcome, as the final product is a highly effective, bespoke piece of equipment that perfectly meets the client’s needs. “The data centre has three open cooling tower systems used for cooling the data halls within the building and they had strainers in place to remove the sediment being pumped around the system. However, performing maintenance on them required shutting down the cooling system, which, as you can imagine, was far from ideal for the site. “We were pleased to have bespoke dirt separators engineered for site which has reduced down time for the client as well as provided a kit that outperforms their original design. As a business we quality assure everything we use and know that the Spirotech equipment, along with their technical ‘back-up’, won’t let us down.” Steve Simmonds, Special Projects Engineer for Spirotech, adds, “The data centre is delighted with the installation and performance of the units. They are removing much smaller particulates than before and are, as a result, making substantial savings in terms of maintenance time and money.” The bespoke SpiroTrap unit is able to remove very small particles from 5um and separates and removes dirt from the system whilst in operation. In case of severe pollution and/or maintenance, the unit is demountable and ensures no unnecessary downtime. ESS UK primarily specialises in fluid movement, and offers the support, installation, maintenance, repair of pump equipment and wet waste service. For more from Spirotech, click here.

Digital twins could be game-changer for data centre innovation

The data centre industry is on the brink of rapid transformation, driven by emerging technologies that promise to reshape its future. To assess the current ability of the data centre industry to capitalise on the technologies that could transform it, Cadence's latest report, drawing on insights from 400 IT, facility, and business leaders worldwide, reveals how data centres are evolving and what changes are essential for future success. The report found that: · 86% of decision-makers say that failing to innovate data centres would lead to serious or moderate consequences· Three quarters (74%) say data centres are under increased pressure from AI-driven demands· 88% say they’re actively working to enhance energy efficiency, but only three-in-10 (31%) believe that they’re doing enough· 70% say the national power grid is being stretched to its limits, and there won’t be enough energy to go around if we don’t use renewable sources in data centres· A quarter (26%) state that they’d never use liquid cooling The report uncovered how opportunities for data centre innovation are lost through reluctance and a lack of preparedness to incorporate transformative technology and solutions. 80% of decision-makers say their organisation has the capabilities to capitalise on the technologies that could transform their data centre. However, this confidence doesn’t necessarily translate into advanced technologies and approaches actually being used. A sizeable majority (73%) say they use artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). However, fewer are using renewable energy sources (63%), liquid cooling (45%), and digital twins (42%). Innovation obstacles 86% of decision-makers say that failing to innovate data centres would lead to serious or moderate consequences. However, transformation is easier said than done. Data centres face various challenges when implementing innovation, with 42% of decision-makers citing the cost of implementing new technologies as the biggest barrier. Other obstacles include a lack of skilled staff (35%), incompatibility with legacy systems (31%), and uncertainty about future technologies (30%). Additionally, 33% are hesitant to invest due to unclear ROI. All of which underscores the complexities of driving innovation. AI challenges and opportunities The challenges continue as 74% of decision-makers agree that data centres are under increased pressure from AI-driven demands. This is arguably driving the uptake of high-density servers, which 59% report they are now using. Despite the complications created by AI, it is also being harnessed as an innovative tool within data centres themselves for fault detection (60%), natural language assistants (56%), demand forecasting (54%), and automating capacity management (50%). However, adoption isn’t always effortless, leading some to pull back. For example, 10% of decision-makers say they were using AI but aren’t anymore. Despite this, findings suggest future AI plans are on the horizon. Notably, while 73% of all respondents agree that the use of AI within data centres is still in its infancy, three-quarters (75%) believe that in the future, it’ll be possible to use AI to run data centres in place of human operators, indicating an expansive future for the technology. More immediately, 50% of respondents plan to use AI for energy management, highlighting its potential to drive efficiency and sustainability. Digital twins help address innovation challenges 73% of decision-makers believe digital twins are a game changer for driving technological innovation in data centres. This figure rises to 81% among those already using digital twins, underscoring their proven value in practice. These benefits may be why 21% of decision-makers not currently using digital twins plan to introduce them in the next 12 months. For more from Cadence, click here.

Johnson Controls launches air-cooled chillers in Europe

Johnson Controls, an expert in smart, safe, healthy and sustainable buildings, has expanded the availability of its YORK range of YVAM air-cooled magnetic bearing chillers to Europe to meet the growing demand in the data centre industry. As the European data centre market experiences significant growth driven by AI and cloud computing, the YVAM is a crucial thermal management technology for hyperscale and colocation facilities, Johnson Controls tells us. Designed to accelerate deployment with an innovative, scalable and consistent platform, the YVAM also plays a role in ensuring compliance with the new European Union policy on energy efficiency and water conservation. "As data storage demand rises and chip density increases, data centres face increasing challenges with cooling technologies, including broader temperature ranges, reduced energy and water use, noise reduction and limited space," says Johnson Controls President of Data Centre Solutions, Todd Grabowski. "At Johnson Controls, we work with our customers to offer solutions that enable data centres to scale rapidly, operate efficiently, minimise resource use and maintain reliability in a quickly changing landscape." The YORK YVAM chiller consumes 40% less power annually while still delivering the same cooling capacity as other available products. In addition, YVAM offers the widest operating range, allowing for chiller operation from -29°C up to +55°C ambient temperature while producing chilled water temperatures between +15°C up to 30°C. This allows complete flexibility to use the same cooling infrastructure regardless of the cooling technology ranging from cold air aisles to immersion cooling or direct liquid cooling. Further features and benefits include: • Operates with zero water use on site, supporting the growing importance of water usage effectiveness (WUE) and the conservation of water.• Utilises ultra-low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant.• Leverages Johnson Controls proprietary magnetic-bearing technology, variable-speed drives and active front-end technology to maximise efficiency while eliminating the need for free cooling coils.• Produces notably less sound than screw chillers, operating at just 65 dBA at 10 metres - equivalent to the noise level of background music at a restaurant.• The lubrication-free design further simplifies the system by eliminating complex subsystems and reducing maintenance costs.• To ensure uninterrupted operations, the YVAM incorporates Quick Start technology with an integral emergency power management system, enabling the chiller to return to full load in as little as three minutes after a power interruption.• The YVAM is designed in-house and built using flagship York technologies.• It's designed to be a flexible platform that allows for easy inspection and service. "With its innovative design and industry-leading efficiency, YVAM is set to redefine thermal management in data centres across the region,” Todd continues. “We’ve already seen great success for this technology in the North American market and we’re excited to partner with our European customers as the AI and data centre demand rapidly develops.” Johnson Controls offers a wide range of air-cooled and water-cooled chillers as well as air handling units, all designed to meet the needs of hyperscale and colocation customers. These products are supported by a comprehensive suite of fire, safety, building automation and digitally connected services. In June 2024, Johnson Controls launched a dedicated Global Data Centre Solutions organisation to address the industry's rapid growth. Since then, the company has boosted capacity in key regions to meet market demand and reduce lead times. This specialised organisation allows Johnson Controls to provide consistent, high-quality, centralised solutions across the globe, while also adapting to the unique needs of North America, EMEA and APAC, ensuring smooth and reliable support for data centre operators worldwide. For more from Johnson Controls, click here.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres accelerates AI ambitions

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, a data centre colocation service provider headquartered in Singapore, has announced that it is now an NVIDIA colocation partner. Two of its data centre facilities in Southeast Asia (SEA) – STT Singapore 6 and STT Bangkok 1 – have achieved certification in the NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center programme. These are the first facilities in STT GDC's portfolio to achieve this certification. The NVIDIA DGX platform is purpose-built for enterprise AI, powering AI workloads spanning analytics, training, and inference. It offers advanced compute density, performance and scale with a single, unified system that can power the complete enterprise AI lifecycle. The NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center certification enables STT GDC to offer its customers access to state-of-the-art data centre facilities to run their most important AI workloads. STT GDC is among the first Singapore-headquartered companies to achieve this certification, recognising its continued focus on supporting the global growth ambitions of businesses as they transition from the digital era to the intelligent era. This is driven by accelerated computing, a key driver of AI innovation, and by STT GDC's ability to support advanced AI capabilities and next-generation infrastructure, such as NVIDIA DGX GB200 systems. STT GDC's AI-ready data centres are designed to accommodate the thermal demands of such cutting-edge technology, with support for both immersion cooling and direct-to-chip cooling technologies. Daniel Pointon, Group Chief Technology Officer, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, comments, "The DGX-Ready Data Center certification helps ensure that our customers have access to the robust infrastructure and expertise required to deploy and scale high-performance AI workloads. Achieving this certification underscores our commitment to supporting the rapid growth of AI adoption across industries, helping our customers focus on innovation, accelerate their AI initiatives with confidence and achieve a quicker time-to-value for their AI investments." Tony Paikeday, Senior Director of AI systems at NVIDIA, adds, "As organisations embrace AI to enhance customer experiences and drive better business outcomes, robust environments that are optimised for AI infrastructure become critical. STT GDC's achievement of the NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center certification empowers enterprises in South East Asia to simplify their AI initiatives with optimised, high-performance infrastructure and facilities that enable the delivery of data-fuelled insights sooner." AI continues to transform industries globally, driving innovation in everything from predictive analytics to autonomous systems. Worldwide spending on AI is expected to more than double by 2028, reaching $632 billion. AI has the potential to fundamentally disrupt global markets by innovating new business models and offerings, and strategic investments in AI will be necessary to enable businesses to both unlock competitive advantage and maximise the full potential of AI. For more from ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, click here.

New data centre in Abu Dhabi's Yas Island enters service

Pure Data Centres has revealed that its new campus in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island has become operational, with the first data hall complete and handed over to the hyperscale technology customer on time and to plan. The site, which will provide 45MW of capability overall, is Pure DC’s first venture in the Middle East. The construction milestone, which was achieved in partnership with Laing O’Rourke on 27 February, followed successful completion of systems testing on 24 February. Achieving operational status, following successful systems testing, was the first major milestone set for the project. This paves the way for the Laing O’Rourke team to focus on the next phase, which is completion of the central office building in May. Pure DC, which is backed by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, develops and operates data centres for some of the world’s largest technology companies. Each project is designed with security, quality, sustainability and health and safety at its core, with a focus on early engagement and collaboration with its construction partner. The Abu Dhabi project is a collaboration with Laing O’Rourke’s highly experienced multi-disciplinary data centre teams who work across multiple campuses globally, with the majority of projects delivered for repeat clients. Pure Data Centre’s Chief Delivery Officer, Jim McCarthy, says, “The opening of our Abu Dhabi campus is an important moment in the growth of Pure DC and also for our customers in the UAE. We chose to work with Laing O’Rourke because of their impressive track record at delivering data centre projects to the highest standard. It has been a fantastic collaboration, with all milestones delivered on time in accordance with the plan. We hope to develop the partnership in future as Pure DC continues to expand in key territories where there is high demand for digital infrastructure.” Laing O’Rourke’s General Manager, Ben Nicol, comments, “This great achievement and milestone further reinforces our position as a leading provider of data centres in this region – a sector where we have developed exceptional expertise. Our aim throughout is to deliver on every single one of our commitments and to further develop the relationship with Pure DC." Laing O’Rourke’s Project Leader, Chris Wilson, adds, “Fantastic work from Team Pure on reaching this important project milestone. The team’s dedication and hard work has been crucial to our success, and I believe that our unique operating model enables us to deliver faster, safer and more efficiently, helping our clients meet the rapidly increasing need for scale and pace. “A special thanks to Pure Data Centres for the seamless collaboration and trust throughout the process – it's been a true partnership. Together, we've achieved something great, and we're excited to continue building on this momentum.” For more from Pure Data Centres, click here.

EnerSys advances data centre backup power management

EnerSys, a provider of stored energy products for industrial applications, has announced the integration of advanced embedded technology into its DataSafe Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries, enhancing backup power management for data centres. This development enables real-time battery monitoring, optimising performance and reliability in environments where continuous power is critical. As global data centre power demand continues to rise, driven by sectors like AI and cryptocurrencies, the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that by 2026, demand could double, reaching 1,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) - which is roughly equivalent to Japan’s total yearly electricity consumption today. With this growing demand, data centres face mounting pressure to improve backup power systems to ensure operational continuity. EnerSys technology addresses these challenges by embedding monitoring technology directly into lead-acid batteries. The technology tracks key battery parameters such as voltage and temperature, enabling data centre operators to perform proactive maintenance and reduce battery related downtime. It also integrates with the EnVision Connect system monitor, offering data-driven insights for better performance and operational control. "We’re proud to be at the forefront of transforming backup power management for data centres," says Paul Willougby, Director, Data Centre EMEA at EnerSys. "As data centre power requirements grow, our technology offers operators enhanced visibility and control, ultimately improving reliability and reducing maintenance costs. The integration of embedded intelligence within the battery system is a game-changer for ensuring operational continuity in high-demand environments." A European data centre recently deployed 260 DataSafe batteries with the embedded technology ahead of a major international sporting event to enhance backup power monitoring. By integrating this technology with the EnVision Connect system monitor, the data centre was able to achieve more frequent battery status updates, reducing blind spots and improving its ability to proactively address issues. This integration also led to a reduction in emergency maintenance interventions, helping lower costs while improving compliance with power resilience requirements. Additionally, the data centre gained better operational control, which helped reduce risks associated with backup power failure. This deployment highlights how EnerSys’ technology, in conjunction with the EnVision Connect system monitor, is striving to set a new benchmark for data centre backup power monitoring, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and operational security.

Kao Data announces construction of AI data centre in Harlow

Kao Data, a specialist developer and operator of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing, has announced KLON-03 – a new, 17.6MW high performance data centre located at its Harlow campus. Powered by 100% renewable energy and purpose-built to accommodate hybrid-cooling technology, KLON-03 will enable AI users to deploy multi-megawatts (MWs) of direct-to-chip, liquid cooled infrastructure, alongside traditional air-cooled servers within the same Technology Suite. Following accelerated demand for high-density data centre capacity, KLON-03 builds upon Kao Data’s outstanding reputation for developing and operating infrastructure engineered for AI. Adhering to next generation design principles, KLON-03 provides the perfect hosting environment for inference and training workloads in close proximity to London’s low-latency internet exchanges. Its rapid deployment also demonstrates continued signs of London’s compute diversifying from the West London cluster, and demand for high-density, AI cloud capacity moving towards the north and east of the capital. “This year marks 10 years’ since our vision for the Harlow campus was first-incepted, and I’m delighted that our concept continues to be vindicated, with Harlow firmly established as the UK’s preeminent destination for HPC, AI cloud and GPU-supported deployments,” says David Bloom, Founder and Chairman, Kao Data. “KLON-03 will set a new bar for our industrial-scale data centre platform, and in line with the Governments AI Opportunities Action Plan, will provide one of the country’s largest footprints of liquid-cooled data centre capacity.” KLON-03 will incorporate a raft of measures to underpin next-generation AI workloads. Each Technology Suite will include hybrid-cooled, hot aisle containment (HAC) systems, which can accommodate high-density compute and GPU-accelerated server infrastructure, together with rack densities of up-to 130kW. Further, KLON-03 will continue to follow the same design and sustainability standards of its predecessors at the Harlow campus, in time, becoming another NVIDIA DGX-Ready data centre and obtaining BREEAM certification. Additionally, all deployments will include Digital Twins functionality to ensure customers’ compute footprints are not only optimal, but that their bespoke infrastructure requirements can be catered for seamlessly, while achieving an SLA-backed PUE. “The era of AI is firmly with us, and what better way to celebrate UK AI innovation than on the campus at which Sir Charles Kao first-pioneered fibre optics,” adds Doug Loewe, CEO, Kao Data. “I’m proud of the way our technical team has continued to finesse the design envelope, and am excited to see our first, large-scale, liquid-cooled infrastructure deployment become a reality.” As mentioned earlier this week, Kao Data’s Harlow campus is now host to Ori’s first UK-based AI cloud region, and includes the country’s first tranche of state-of-the-art, NVIDIA H200 GPUs. Through AI cloud deployments such as this, and its heritage for start-up, life science and pharmaceutical innovation, Harlow and the Cambridge-London Corridor have become a prime location for AI investment. For more from Kao Data, click here.

Subzero Engineering announces new CAF system

Subzero Engineering, a provider of data centre containment solutions, has announced that it has launched its new Composite AisleFrame (CAF). In the ongoing challenge of balancing operational efficiency with sustainability, environmental consciousness combined with power resourcefulness are essential objectives for any organisation. Data centres that are handling an ever-increasing complexity of AI and high-performance computing (HPC) have become hugely energy-intensive buildings. To minimise the environmental impact of these buildings while maximising energy use, new strategies need to be implemented and sustainable materials deployed. Subzero Engineering’s new CAF system is made of 100% recyclable composite materials which provides a sustainable frame-based support structure for IT/HPC deployments in environmentally-conscious data centres. As durable and robust as the Steel AisleFrame (SAF) system, but with lightweight materials offering more flexibility and easier scalability, the CAF delivers on substantial cost savings and significant environmental benefits for data centre owners. CAF is 50% lighter than steel alternatives and easily reconfigurable as requirements change. The aisle frame can be flat-packed, allowing more product to be shipped in the same space, delivering lower installation and transportation emissions and costs. Offering up to 4,299 kg CO₂ savings per frame, it delivers unmatched environmental benefits without sacrificing performance. Shane Kilfoil, President, Subzero Engineering, says, “The CAF has many benefits over steel. Every element in a data centre has an intrinsic cost, and steel aisle frame is heavy. CAF has a weight reduction of at least two-thirds over steel, significant global warming potential savings, and improved strength per linear metre. The frame also offers seismic compliance, eliminates powder coating, and reduces installation time. The composite frame is more durable, safer, and environmentally friendly, with better transport efficiency.” Material benefits CAF is not new, and composite material has been used in the construction industry for more than 20 years in many proven application,, such as airplane tail structures, outdoor utility/telephone poles, and transportation bridges. However, Subzero Engineering has refined the product for specific use in data centres to be denser, stronger and with additional fireproof properties. The materials can be reused multiple times and has an extended lifespan, supporting waste reduction and net zero initiatives. Its lightweight framework minimises manual handling risks, is easier to transport, install, reconfigure and scale, and results in a reduced global warming potential in manufacturing, installation and transportation. Weight reduction means cost savings CAF’s strength per linear metre, combined with a 50% reduction in weight, enables multi-level data centres to have CAF systems throughout each building floor, without the additional financial risk of strengthening weight-bearing floors. Its higher tensile and flexural attributes, with a better compressive strength-to-weight ratio than steel, mean CAF is more efficient structurally. The challenge of materials procurement also drives CAF as a convincingly positive consideration. Shane Kilfoil continues, “While steel is resource heavy, CAF is non-resource heavy in implementation. This means Subzero can deliver this aisle frame in a fast and time-appropriate fashion. A steel structure could potentially take months to be shipped, but CAF could conceivably be delivered in weeks.” As the industry shifts to greener technology, the development of sustainable infrastructure built with energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources will continue to be a key strategy in the next generation of high-performance data centres. Utilising the CAF system can enhance high performance and reliability at the same time as accomplishing long-term environmental objectives. This can lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) while helping to deliver on global environmental goals, enhancing the organisation’s eco-friendliness and reputation. The Subzero CAF product line is available globally via the company's channel partners. For more from Subzero Engineering, click here.

Compass and Schneider utilise AI to transform DC maintenance

Schneider Electric, a specialist in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, and Compass Datacenters, are utilising AI to transform the data centre facility lifecycle – maximising uptime and driving cost reductions across the design and build, operation, maintenance and decommissioning phases. Thanks to collaborative innovation with Schneider Electric, and its EcoCare next-generation services plans, Compass is meeting the surge in data demand faster and more reliably – delivering accelerated speed-to-market while enabling end-user customers to grow more quickly and meet requirements for data processing, storage, and delivery. By transitioning from a calendar-based approach to maintenance and services, to a condition-based maintenance plan based on predictive analytics and AI, Compass is achieving a 40% reduction in manual, on-site maintenance interventions, alongside a 20% reduction in operating expenses (OPEX). These savings were realised by integrating sensors and gateway technologies, pre-commissioned at the factory level, which were ready to be connected from day one to Schneider Electric’s IoT, advanced analytics platform, which is monitored 24/7 by its Connected Service Hub – enabling the reduction of intrusive on-site maintenance activities. As a co-creator and early adopter of Schneider Electric EcoCare next-generation services, Compass is leading the way by using AI and predictive analytics to significantly improve the industry’s approach to lifecycle services and maintenance. Modernising data centre servicing models Despite rapid changes across the data centre physical infrastructure space, over the past 30 years there has been little change to the way lifecycle services are delivered. Given market dynamics, the industry has begun to learn from other use cases. Predictive maintenance is not only more cost-effective and accurate than traditional time-based maintenance, but it also allows data centre operators to reduce planned and unplanned downtime by reducing the risk of human error. Further, the use of condition-based servicing helps operators address the continued workforce shortages threatening the industry. Designing for condition-based maintenance and allowing it to be implemented and deployed on day one of data centre startup/commissioning is a crucial consideration, enabling today’s owners and operators to shift from reactive to proactive servicing, and drive down their total cost of ownership (TCO). By taking this approach, not only has Schneider Electric helped Compass Datacenters’ transition from calendar-based maintenance to condition-based maintenance, but has enabled Compass to utilise proactive asset management for greater cost optimisation and system reliability. Building faster with prefabricated data centres Generative AI has also opened the floodgates for high-density computing power, and the data centre industry has accelerated its efforts to meet the speed, scale and environmental impact of its demands. To address this, Compass Datacenters is working on an in-depth study with Schneider Electric to create a quantified analysis of OPEX, CAPEX and sustainability comparing Compass’ prefab module to stick-build construction. For today’s AI, colocation and hyperscale cloud organisations, Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure modular data centres also promise a host of benefits, including reduced waste; the ability to right-size for traditional and high-density workloads; to scale capacity at speed; improved design quality and resilience; enhanced supply chain transparency and sustainability; end-of-life reuse; and next-generation remote monitoring, management and maintenance services. Serving the industry through partnership “Schneider Electric has long-been committed to transforming industries through the power of collaboration, and it’s clear that Compass Datacenters shares this same mindset,” says Pankaj Sharma, Executive Vice President, Secure Power & Data Centres and Global Services Businesses, Schneider Electric. “With the unique growth of data centres, one of the key challenges facing operators is the lack of skilled talent. To address this, the industry must change the way they manage electrical and cooling assets by adopting proactive asset management at-scale. Through our collaboration with Compass, we are proving that dynamic analysis for multiple technology systems can deliver exceptional value and ROI.” Chris Crosby, CEO, Compass Datacenters, adds, “We are extremely grateful for the unwavering support and unparalleled expertise that Schneider Electric has already provided in supplying us with prefabricated data centre power rooms. Our collaborative efforts will allow us to meet the increasing demands from our customers to deliver cutting-edge data centre solutions in an innovative manner.” For more from Schneider Electric, click here.