D A T A C E N T R E P R E D I C T I O N S

methods , with new strategies to both cool within the confines of existing data centre footprints , and to incorporate these solutions from the onset in new builds .

The new wave of cooling solutions to improve energy usage has arrived with the emergence of approaches such as direct-to-chip cooling , rear door heat exchangers and liquid immersion cooling solutions . In addition , closed loop systems recycle water – rather than waste it . While these solutions are certainly gaining traction for their potential to process higher-density compute , they aren ’ t perfect yet ; namely , upfront costs and deployment complexities stand in the way of adoption across current data centre infrastructure .

Today , most data centre providers are implementing these technologies in some form or fashion , working to deploy them around the globe .

At the same time , clients are asking for these solutions . Interest will continue to climb , and implementation will , in time , get easier with new approaches , helping these solutions become indispensable . In addition , data centres continue to collaborate and innovate with partners on sustainability and regulatory processes calling for efficient cooling and heat recovery solutions .

Energy usage has increased around the globe

Energy consumption has exponentially increased , challenging regions around the world to support current and future demand . The need for data centre capacity isn ’ t slowing down . AI is extremely process heavy , making for a denser data centre environment that uses more power and requires more cooling in a smaller footprint . Racks now consume up to 100kW of electricity compared to the typical consumption of 10 – 15kW in recent years , making net zero targets seem even further out of reach .

To achieve net zero targets and build a sustainable future , the industry must embrace eco-friendly solutions . As an industry , we must continue to find ways to be as efficient as possible as energy needs grow along with this demand .

Several factors are converging to drive change .

First , the sheer scale of the energy challenge is forcing companies to reimagine their approach . Governments are also stepping up their efforts to meet net zero targets , enacting stricter regulations and reporting requirements on energy usage . The EU ’ s Energy Efficiency Directive is just one recent example , pushing for transparency and efficiency , making green energy not just an environmental responsibility but a compliance necessity .

This is prompting organisations and energy providers to collaborate and explore proactive investments into renewable energy sources like wind and solar .

While there are still hurdles to overcome , such as grid integration challenges and upfront investment costs for new technologies , the momentum is undeniable . 2024 is shaping up to be a year of opportunity for the adoption of green energy solutions .

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