EDITOR’ S LETTER
JOANNA ENGLAND, EDITOR
POWERING THE FUTURE
elcome to Intelligent Data Centres! This issue
W arrives at a pivotal time for our industry, as we stand at the intersection of unprecedented demand and evolving challenges. The data centre landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by an accelerating digital economy and, most notably, the relentless rise of Artificial Intelligence.
The latest trends are all about scale and sustainability. We’ re seeing power and cooling become the defining issues, with rack densities soaring to never-before-seen levels due to AI workloads. This necessitates innovative solutions like liquid cooling, which is rapidly moving from niche to mainstream. Energy concerns are paramount, with energy consumption and sustainability at the forefront of every design and operational decision. Stricter regulations, particularly here in Europe, are mandating greater energy efficiency and reporting, forcing operators to rethink infrastructure from the ground up to achieve targets like lower PUE and higher waste heat reuse.
The surging AI demand is indeed the primary catalyst. As we recently celebrated AI Appreciation Day in July, it’ s clear that AI is no longer just a concept; it’ s a critical driver of immediate infrastructure needs, pushing the boundaries of what data centres can deliver. The shift from AI experimentation to full-scale deployment means greater compute requirements, making power availability the new“ land, fibre, and water” for site selection.
Our cover interview looks at a critical risk that continues to lurk in the background – arc flash. As power densities rise, so does the cost of complacency if data centres do not update their arc flash risk management strategies. In this interview, Chris Osian, Product Manager at Starline, a brand of Legrand, provides his expert perspective on the importance of educating organisations and their employees to manage risk, particularly as rising power demands driven by AI workloads are expected to increase.
We hope this issue equips you with the knowledge and foresight to navigate these exciting yet demanding times.
Joanna England Editor
CONTACT US
JOANNA @ LYNCHPINMEDIA. COM
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