07 February 2025
Danel Turk, Data Centres Portfolio Manager at ABB
The meteoric rise of AI means power demand is at an all-time high — and it won’t stop there. The data centres that run it are part of the digital backbone of an increasingly always-on world. For them to stay viable, new facilities must be built to achieve energy efficiency, regulatory compliance, and renewable integration wherever possible.
Scalability and energy efficiency
One of the main things to consider when designing new data centres is balancing growth with energy efficiency. Modular designs allow facilities to be built in smaller pieces, like 20MW blocks that contribute toward a 200MW capacity, while using prefabricated components like skids and eHouses to speed up construction. This ‘grow-as-you-need’ approach prevents overbuilding, while cutting costs and environmental impact.
Developers should also consider using medium-voltage (MV) backup power systems. These set-ups are easier to install and save more energy compared to traditional low-voltage ones. Since they operate around the clock, even small energy savings can add up over time.
Prioritising regulatory standards
Regulations play a big role in how modern data centres are built and run. For example, the EU now requires energy audits every four years or the use of energy management systems (EMS) like ISO 50001. These rules push data centres to use energy more efficiently, switch to renewable power, and report on energy use.
To keep up, operators need smart tools like real-time EMS, which track energy consumption and spot localised or system-wide energy efficiency problems. Monitoring systems like ABB’s InSite identify inefficiencies, detect malfunctioning equipment, and prevent costly disruptions, all while aligning with regulatory standards.
Another focus is phasing out harmful materials like SF6, a potent greenhouse gas widely used in switchgear. Switching to SF6-free options can greatly lower a data centre’s environmental impact while satisfying stricter global bans on the substance.
Prepare for AI
AI workloads require vast amounts of power, forcing data centres to adopt smarter infrastructure and energy strategies. Ironically, AI-driven automation can itself improve energy use by delivering real-time insights into systems like cooling and power. Automation tools can reduce energy waste by dynamically adjusting cooling systems based on environmental conditions. Considering that cooling alone accounts for 40% of a data centre’s energy use, efficiency in this area is vitally important.
Meanwhile, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) help data centres operate more independently from the grid. For AI workloads, BESS helps balance energy delivery and deliver the power continuity needed for 24/7 intensive tasks. Minutes offline in a data centre can translate to tens of thousands of pounds in losses, especially where clients pay a premium for specialised AI usage. Emergency energy storage solutions like Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) improve grid compatibility while ensuring critical uptime when power quality fluctuates.
Easy wins for sustainability
As demand for data centres grows, slashing emissions has become a call to action for operators. On-site renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines are the obvious solution, and can be used alongside microgrids — on-site power networks that manage energy generation and distribution. Combining microgrids with BESS further reduces reliance on external power and allows facilities to run independently during outages or peak demand.
To complement advances towards renewable energy implementation, efforts to capture waste heat from servers via heat pumps could provide heating for nearby businesses or homes, mitigating environmental impact significantly. Data centres are increasingly situated in inner-city locations, providing ample opportunities to repurpose and redirect excess heat.
Climate and cyber chaos
The direct effects of climate change and geopolitical instability are now significant risk factors for data centre operators. To avoid the risks of extreme weather events such as flooding, site selection is the most important first step, as regions with low water table and little humidity are ideal. Secondly, safeguarding equipment like generators and switchgear as well as data racks with proper insulation is key. A future data centre might use hermetically sealed cabling and solutions like stone wool panelling in its structure to mitigate water damage.
From a cybersecurity perspective, data centre customers should not be required to forfeit safety, value, or control in expanding their operations. In the data centre, where every millisecond counts, operators must be able to detect and intercept threats that bypass basic defenses to avoid malicious shutdowns or data theft. Digital services that can identify threats in real time must be baked into infrastructure from the outset.
Planning for every possibility
For data centres to succeed in a rapidly changing world, planning for every possibility is vital. Data centres that do so will be better positioned to lead the industry. It’s important to look at the bigger picture, not just the initial price. A total-cost-of-ownership mindset makes everything run smoother, cheaper, and greener.
Sustainability and adaptability are no longer optional. By acting now, operators can build data centres that thrive in an energy-hungry and energy-conscious world.
