The data center industry faces pressing demands for AI (artificial intelligence) capabilities while aiming to curb energy usage and emissions in 2024. Vertiv, a critical infrastructure solutions provider, forecasts key trends shaped by AI’s rise and its impact on infrastructure and sustainability challenges.
“AI and its downstream impact on data center densities and power demands have become the dominant storylines in our industry,” said Giordano Albertazzi, CEO, Vertiv. “Finding ways to help customers both support the demand for AI and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is a significant challenge requiring new collaborations between data centers, chip and server manufacturers, and infrastructure providers.”
AI’s surge prompts operational shifts: Organizations face pressure to adapt operations for AI, straining legacy facilities ill-prepared for high-density computing. To accommodate, new constructions or retrofits with eco-friendly technologies, like liquid cooling alongside air cooling, gain traction.
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Energy storage exploration expands: Emerging storage tech harmonizes with the grid, lessening reliance on generators. Battery energy systems integrate with renewable sources, curbing environmental impact. These installations are set to grow, evolving towards ‘bring your own power’ models to meet AI-driven needs.
Enterprise flexibility takes precedence: While cloud providers meet demand, enterprise data centers diversify investments. AI’s role prompts a rethinking of sustainability while organizations may favor on-premise setups for AI and experience AI’s influence on edge deployments. Incremental investment in modular solutions and equipment maintenance gains focus.
Cloud expansion meets security challenges: Cloud service spending rises, driving capacity demands for AI and high-performance compute. Security becomes paramount for offsite data storage, leading to increased cybersecurity spending. Diverse data security regulations pose complexities amidst efforts to standardize practices.
“Across Asia, we’re seeing organizations ramp up their investments, realigning their strategies towards harnessing and integrating AI technology,” said Paul Churchill, vice president and general manager at Vertiv Asia.