Data Centre Operations: Optimising Infrastructure for Performance and Reliability

CargoSense acquires Adapt-IP for data centre logistics

CargoSense, a supply chain exception management provider, has acquired wireless technology developer Adapt-IP, bringing its patented wireless connectivity and real-time asset tracking capabilities into CargoSense’s supply chain platform for data centre operations. The acquisition is intended to strengthen CargoSense’s ability to monitor equipment and materials as they move through warehouses, staging yards, and data centre sites, where delays can affect construction and fit-out schedules. Adapt-IP’s technology provides location tracking across multiple facilities, long-range wireless connectivity, and environmental monitoring. CargoSense says the combined platform will allow operators to identify supply chain exceptions and coordinate responses before they affect projects. Wireless tracking adds physical data Adapt-IP’s engineering team, led by Michael McNamara, will take responsibility for CargoSense’s hardware strategy, including deployment, systems integration, and customer requirements. Rich Kilmer, CEO of CargoSense, says, “This acquisition represents a strategic investment for CargoSense. Our customers face increasing complexity in managing their supply chains at hyperscale. Paired with real-time data from the physical environment, our service automatically detects and resolves problems before they become delays. “Combining Adapt-IP's expertise in silicon and device capabilities with our deep understanding of our customers' supply chain challenges enables us to meet those challenges head on.” Michael McNamara, CEO of Adapt-IP, also suggests that the acquisition will accelerate the company’s technology roadmap and provide a route to wider deployment across data centre and manufacturing operations.

STULZ introduces fourth-generation cooling units

STULZ, a manufacturer of mission-critical air conditioning technology, has introduced the fourth generation of its TelAir and WallAir cooling series for edge, 5G, and critical infrastructure applications. The TelAir 4 and WallAir 4 units use R454C refrigerant, integrated free cooling, and an EN 378-compliant safety architecture. They are designed for edge data centres, telecommunications containers, shelters, and radio stations. The units are available with two installation concepts: TelAir 4 is designed for indoor installation, whilst WallAir 4 can be mounted externally on a container wall. Anika Do, Global Product Manager at STULZ, explains that, "Both are available in two standard enclosure sizes and four cooling capacity classes, ranging from 6–17kW." The units are designed to address increasing thermal densities and the requirements of the amended European F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573. Free cooling cuts energy use STULZ says the units can reduce operating costs by up to 80% when using combined free cooling and mixed-mode operation. The electronically commutated (EC) fans also comply with the requirements of the upcoming ErP 2027 Ecodesign Directive. Both models operate from -20°C to +54°C, while an optional winter kit can extend operation down to -40°C. Customers can choose between on/off systems with a thermostatic expansion valve, or continuously modulating EC inverter compressors paired with an electronic expansion valve. Both configurations have hermetically sealed refrigeration circuits. The units also feature a multi-stage safety architecture designed for A2L refrigerants such as R454C. In the event of a refrigerant leak, the evaporator fan can increase to maximum speed to dilute and extract refrigerant gases. A two-stage sensor system activates maximum fan speed and shuts down other power consumers at 10% of the lower flammability limit (LFL). At 20% LFL, the unit is fully disconnected from the power supply. Meanwhile, an enclosed IP54 control cabinet is designed to eliminate potential ignition sources. TelAir 4 supports downflow and displacement airflow concepts, with optional adjustable outlet grilles for horizontal or vertical air distribution. WallAir 4 uses displacement cooling to provide direct cold air stratification within the room. Additionally, TelAir 4 specifically can be installed within a wall, providing protection against weather and vandalism, whilst also reducing noise emissions for use in residential and mixed-use areas. Both units use the E² BASIC controller, which includes an ethernet interface, Modbus, and multiple inputs and outputs for integration with building management and data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) systems. Password-protected access levels are included, alongside inputs for monitoring fire, smoke, and intrusion alarms. Anika continues, "For the fourth generation of the TelAir and WallAir cooling series, we set out to create two distinct cooling solutions that deliver outstanding flexibility across a wide range of edge, 5G, and critical infrastructure applications. "By combining cutting edge technology with modern design, ease of use, energy efficiency and reliability, we have achieved that goal. The new units are available to order immediately, with STULZ account managers able to provide further information and tailored advice." For more from STULZ, click here.

Nscale, Figure partner to power physical AI

Nscale, a UK developer of AI data centres and cloud infrastructure, has signed a multi-year strategic partnership with humanoid robotics company Figure, including plans to deploy up to 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs to support the development of physical AI. The initial GPUs are targeted for deployment from the second half of 2027 at Nscale’s site in Barstow, Texas, USA. The agreement includes an initial commitment of $3.5 billion (£2.5 billion) in compute, with an intention to scale the partnership beyond $6 billion (£4.4 billion). Nscale will also become a Figure shareholder and its preferred compute provider, supporting the training and deployment of Figure’s Helix AI models for humanoid robotics. Compute supports humanoid robotics The partnership will use NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin platform and Nscale’s AI cloud infrastructure to provide compute for Figure’s models. The companies will also explore scaling Nscale’s supply chain using humanoid robots. Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, has stated that the partnership will connect model training, simulation, and deployment in Figure’s robots. He comments, “Humanoid robots extend physical AI into the world designed for people, opening a major new industry. Nscale and Figure have activated the robotics flywheel: training Figure's models on NVIDIA Vera Rubin through Nscale's AI cloud, validating them in NVIDIA Isaac Sim, and deploying them on NVIDIA GPUs in Figure's robots.” Brett Adcock, founder and CEO of Figure, adds, “To bring humanoid robots to every home in the world, we are largely constrained by data and compute. Our AI model, Helix, becomes more capable the same way every learned system does: with more data and compute. "Today, we're excited to partner with Nscale to bring the compute required to make this vision a reality.” For more from Nscale, click here.

Telxius boosts Caribbean connectivity with Cancun facility

Telxius, a Spanish operator of submarine cable networks and telecommunications infrastructure, has opened a carrier-neutral landing gateway and edge data centre in Cancun, Mexico, strengthening connectivity between the Caribbean, USA, Latin America, and Europe. The facility serves as a landing point for Tikal, a submarine cable connecting Puerto Barrios in Guatemala with Boca Raton in the US. Due to launch in the first half of 2027, Tikal is expected to provide an initial capacity of 380Tbps on its main trunk. Integrated into Telxius’s global network, the Cancun facility combines subsea connectivity, terrestrial networks, and edge computing. It is designed to support data-intensive and latency-sensitive workloads, including cloud, content, AI, and CDN deployments. Edge facility adds network resilience The Tier III facility incorporates N+1 and 2N redundancy across critical power and cooling systems, alongside physical and network security measures. Its carrier-neutral design allows customers to interconnect with multiple networks, cloud providers, and digital platforms. The facility also provides an alternative route to Santiago de Querétaro, expanding Telxius’s network presence in Mexico and adding route diversity for customers. Mónica Martínez, CMO at Telxius, says, “We’re excited to expand our network footprint in Mexico with our new facility in Cancun. It truly reflects the convergence of subsea connectivity, terrestrial networks, and edge infrastructure to create a unique digital hub for the Caribbean and the Americas. “By bringing connectivity and computing resources closer to where demand is growing, we enable lower latency, greater resilience, and faster access to cloud, content, and AI-driven services for customers across the region.” The Cancun development follows Telxius’s recent network expansion in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and adds to its existing infrastructure in the Caribbean and Mexico. For more from Telxius, click here.

FlexSysAI launches platform to manage DC energy demand

Australian energy technology company FlexSysAI has launched a platform designed to make data centre power demand more flexible by shifting GPU-based AI workloads between locations and times without affecting service. The platform connects electricity market and grid conditions with AI workload balancing, allowing compute to be shifted to locations where electricity is cheaper and more abundant. Non-critical workloads can also be reduced when the grid is under strain and electricity prices are high. FlexSysAI says the approach could help data centre operators connect to the grid sooner, reduce electricity costs, access renewable power when it is available, and receive payments for supporting grid operations. The company was founded by energy specialists, technologists, and entrepreneurs including Victor Feoktistov (pictured above), Angelo Perera, and Sean Senvirtne. The team has developed its demand response technology over several years and secured a retail licence providing customers with direct access to energy markets. Australia provides test market for flexible computing FlexSysAI is initially targeting Australia, where the electricity grid, growing data centre demand, and high penetration of renewable generation provide a testing environment for the platform. The company says it is exploring adoption with multiple data centres in Australia. It is backed by EnergyLab and Sean Senvirtne, and is part of NVIDIA’s Inception programme. The launch comes as governments consider approaches to managing increasing data centre electricity demand. The Australian Energy Market Commission recently recommended a national framework that includes operational flexibility as one potential approach to managing demand. FlexSysAI co-founder Victor Feoktistov says, “Data centres need a strategy for the power crunch that is holding back the sector. Physical grid constraints are beginning to bite and time to power is already a major constraint for operators. "These pressures are likely to worsen over the next two to three years, while regulatory pressure is moving even faster as more jurisdictions look to require flexibility from large energy users. “Operators stay in control, see a live price for flexibility, and choose when to shift workloads while connecting to the grid sooner and getting ahead of mandatory requirements that continue to emerge across key markets.” Angelo Perera, Chief Technology Officer at FlexSysAI, adds, “We are starting in Australia’s National Electricity Market as it has one of the world’s most challenging grids, and its structure and volatility strongly reward smarter, more flexible demand. "This makes Australia an ideal market to prove the technology before deploying it globally as we provide a long-term solution to the accelerating electricity demand problem.” FlexSysAI has formally stated it intends to expand into international markets as data centre electricity demand increases.

CVC DIF to acquire German data centre operator

Global private markets manager CVC DIF has agreed to acquire a significant majority stake in Frankfurt-based colocation data centre operator firstcolo from Cube Infrastructure Managers. The investment will be made through DIF Value Add IV and is expected to close by the end of September 2026, subject to customary conditions. Founded in 2007, firstcolo operates two data centres in Frankfurt and provides colocation, dedicated cloud hardware, cloud, connectivity, and managed services to more than 350 enterprise customers. The company's existing facilities are described as near fully utilised and it is also developing FRA7, a new data centre in Rosbach, within the Frankfurt metropolitan region, which will provide 24MW of total gross capacity. The site has secured its power supply, required permits, and fixed-price construction arrangements. Firm tenant commitments are also in place for the facility. FRA7 is being developed in partnership with the regional utility provider, which will supply the facility's energy. Surplus heat from the data centre will be made available for the local district heating network. FRA7 forms first stage of expansion Following the acquisition, firstcolo intends to continue developing its enterprise data centre platform, with FRA7 forming part of its planned expansion in Frankfurt and other German data centre markets. The company will continue to be led by its existing management team, including CEO and co-founder Jerome Evans, COO and co-founder Nicolaj Kamensek, and CFO Dennis Bergfeld. Willem Jansonius, Managing Partner at CVC DIF and Co-Head of the DIF Value Add Strategy, comments, “firstcolo represents a rare opportunity to invest in a high-quality, founder-led colocation platform in an attractive and supply-constrained FLAP-D data centre market. The company combines a resilient, cash-generative existing business with a substantially de-risked expansion project.” Stefan Moosmann, Head of DACH at CVC DIF, adds, “firstcolo is a strong example of CVC DIF's local-for-local approach in action. The opportunity was sourced through our Frankfurt team's local network and developed in seamless collaboration with our pan-European digital infrastructure team.” Jerome Evans, CEO and co-founder of firstcolo, says, “FRA7 is more than a single data centre development; it is the first building block of a scalable, high-performance infrastructure platform designed to support the next generation of AI, cloud, and enterprise workloads in Germany.” Nicolaj Kamensek, COO and co-founder of firstcolo, concludes, “FRA7 is being designed as a highly efficient, AI-ready facility with the power, cooling, connectivity, and operational processes required for demanding high-density workloads.”

FIOR, Multiverse partner on sovereign edge AI environments

FIOR Group, a UK-based cybersecurity firm providing identity and enforcement gateways for AI agents, and Multiverse Computing, a Spanish company specialising in compressing large language models, have agreed to integrate their technologies for AI deployments in edge, on-premises, and sovereign environments. The partnership combines FIOR’s cryptographic agent identity, policy enforcement, revocation, and audit technology with Multiverse Computing’s model compression, optimisation, and edge deployment capabilities. The companies intend to support organisations that want to run AI within infrastructure they control, including private and sovereign cloud environments, telecom networks, industrial sites, and air-gapped systems. The combined technologies are intended to provide local AI execution alongside controls for identity, access, policy compliance, auditability, and data sovereignty. Under the agreement, FIOR and Multiverse will integrate FIOR’s agent identity gateway, policy enforcement, tamper-evident audit trail, mobile protection, and voice authentication with Multiverse-enabled AI deployments. Multiverse will support the deployment and optimisation of AI models within FIOR-enabled environments, including in-perimeter model execution, anomaly detection, content and policy analysis, and lifecycle support for edge and sovereign AI systems. The companies expect the work to cover applications in sovereign AI infrastructure, regulated enterprise AI, defence and public-sector deployments, telecom and edge AI, industrial automation, financial services, and healthcare. AI deployment within controlled environments Enrique Lizaso Olmos, CEO of Multiverse Computing, says, “Multiverse Computing is focused on making advanced AI models more efficient, deployable, and useful in real-world environments. "Partnering with FIOR strengthens the governance and security layer around AI deployments, particularly for customers requiring sovereign, on-premises, and high-assurance AI infrastructure. "Together, we can support a new generation of AI products designed for security, efficiency, and operational control. It is clear, as IDC recently noted, that FIOR has unique advantages in its ability to identify, secure, and govern every single agent, and that is an important differentiator for our clients." David Williams, Founder of FIOR, adds, "AI will not be trusted at scale unless organisations can control which agents act, what they are authorised to do, how authority is delegated, and how those actions are evidenced. FIOR was built to provide that control layer. "By working with Multiverse, we can combine cryptographic agent governance with efficient edge and in-perimeter AI deployment, which is exactly where many governments and regulated enterprises now need AI to operate. Multiverse's ability to collapse the cost of operating AI, combined with sovereignty, creates significant opportunities." The partnership will initially focus on identified customer opportunities and selected integrations where Multiverse already has customer relationships. The companies also plan to work on technical integration, customer deployment patterns, certification, international market activity, and further product development. FIOR and Multiverse expect locally deployable AI models and cryptographically governed agent infrastructure to become increasingly relevant as governments and enterprises seek to reduce their reliance on external AI services and run AI within infrastructure under their own control.

Yondr agrees deal for its UK hyperscale data centre

Yondr Group, a global developer, owner, and operator of hyperscale data centres, has agreed to sell a majority stake in one of its UK hyperscale data centre campuses to GLIL Infrastructure, retaining a minority ownership interest and the responsibility for operating the site. The transaction involves a campus in Slough comprising two operational hyperscale data centre buildings serving a hyperscale customer. Financial terms were not disclosed. Yondr says the agreement enables it to realise value from a completed asset whilst continuing to manage its day-to-day operations and retain a long-term interest in the campus. Aaron Wangenheim, Chief Executive Officer at Yondr, says, "This transaction represents another important milestone in Yondr's long-term growth strategy. Bringing GLIL on board as an investment partner allows us to realise value from a high-quality, stabilised asset while remaining invested in its future and continuing to operate the campus on behalf of our customer." Investment expands digital infrastructure portfolio For GLIL Infrastructure, the acquisition adds to its digital infrastructure investments, which include a stake in Cornerstone, the UK's largest mobile tower company. Lee Belfield, Investment Director at LPPI and GLIL Infrastructure, notes, "Digital infrastructure is increasingly fundamental to the UK's economy, and hyperscale data centres are critical to supporting growing demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence. "This investment reflects GLIL's strategy of partnering with high-quality operators to invest in essential infrastructure that delivers resilient, long-term value for our pension fund members. "Yondr has developed a high-quality asset with a strong operational track record, and we look forward to commencing a long-term partnership with the Yondr team." The transaction is expected to complete in the coming months, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. RBC Capital Markets acted as Yondr's financial adviser, with Linklaters providing legal advice. GLIL Infrastructure was advised by Nomura, with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett acting as legal counsel. For more from Yondr Group, click here.

Secure I.T. completes UPS and AHU upgrades for NHS

Secure I.T. Environments (SITE), a UK design and build company for modular, containerised, and micro data centres, has completed uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and air handling unit (AHU) upgrades at two live data centres operated by an unnamed NHS Foundation Trust. The projects were carried out while both facilities remained operational and were designed to improve resilience, energy efficiency, and future scalability for the Trust's critical digital infrastructure. The UPS upgrade replaced two end-of-life systems with modular Riello Multi Power infrastructure. SITE installed two 252kVA UPS chassis, each configured at 84kVA N+1 using 42kW power modules. The modular design allows additional capacity to be added in the future without replacing the entire platform. Cooling upgrade improves efficiency The second project involved replacing ageing AHUs at a data centre originally designed and built by SITE during the 2000s. The facility supports a hospital with more than 800 beds, outpatient services, and one of the South East's busiest emergency departments. As part of the works, the existing condenser compound was decommissioned and replaced with a new ground-level installation designed to improve heat rejection performance. The upgraded FläktGroup AHUs were specified to maintain environmental conditions during higher ambient temperatures, whilst also incorporating physical security measures and remote monitoring capabilities. According to SITE, the new cooling equipment is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 58,000kg annually and deliver energy cost savings of approximately £32,305 per year, with a projected return on investment of just over three years. Working around ongoing operations The projects were delivered in carefully planned phases to minimise disruption to hospital operations. The UPS systems were replaced one at a time over two weekend shutdowns, with construction work for the cooling upgrade being scheduled to reduce the impact on visitors and nearby clinical services. A spokesperson for the Trust comments, "This was a big and critically important project for the hospital, carried out smoothly by Secure I.T. Environments. We were really grateful for the work and professionalism of the team, and its partners Riello, throughout the project." The UPS project also included new underfloor containment and cabling, DC transition boxes, integration with the existing battery strings following testing, remote monitoring, commissioning, load bank testing, and operational training for estates engineers. Jo-Anne Garvie, Commercial Director at Secure I.T. Environments, says, "In hospital environments, the resilience of supporting infrastructure has to be treated with the same discipline as the IT systems it protects. "These projects have resulted in a more flexible and maintainable power platform and energy-efficient cooling infrastructure. Together, they support the Trust's current operational needs and give it a clear path for future expansion." For more from SITE, click here.

Croatia approves power infrastructure for 1GW AI data centre

Croatia's national transmission system operator, HOPS, has approved the power infrastructure blueprint for data centre developer Pantheon AI's planned 1GW hyperscale AI campus in Topusko, marking a key milestone for the project. The approval confirms the technical and regulatory feasibility of supplying electricity to the proposed facility and supports plans for construction to begin in early 2027. As part of the proposal, more than €500 million (£427 million) of electricity transmission infrastructure will be developed, including 280km of new transmission lines, fibre-optic networks, a 400kV substation in Topusko, and associated road infrastructure. According to Pantheon AI, the completed infrastructure will be transferred to the Republic of Croatia for long-term ownership and operation. Grid investment to support renewable energy growth The company says the planned infrastructure will also enable access to more than 5GW of renewable energy capacity that is currently constrained by limitations within the national electricity grid. Pantheon AI also explains that the planned 310-acre hyperscale AI data centre has been designed to NVIDIA's 'GW-Scale AI Factory' standards. Mario Gudelj, Project Director at Pantheon AI, comments, "Croatia's largest-ever private investment is moving forward as a direct result of momentum from the unique partnership driving this project: Croatian expertise, US capital, world-class partners in Končar and Greenvolt, and continued support from the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Croatia and HEP (a state-owned utility company)." The project team includes Končar Group, Dalekovod Projekt, Parsec Lab, Latham & Watkins, Hodgson Russ, PwC, KPMG, and EU Energy Group. Sisak-Moslavina County has also formally recognised the development as being of special regional importance. For more from Pantheon AI, click here.