By Faith Waithaka, Cloud and Service Provider Segment Sales Lead: Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric
AI technologies are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, presenting data centres with a whole new set of challenges. Enterprises, colocation providers, and tech giants are now rethinking their data centre strategies.
How can an industry undergoing such transformation shift gears at full speed? Fortunately, as data centres research, plan, and implement change, several options are emerging. These include optimising design and infrastructure for efficiency, cooling, and management systems.
Rising energy demand
AI is increasingly vital in streamlining tech-driven tasks, but it’s well-known that the energy trade-off is immense. The Electric Power Research Institute reports that a typical AI query consumes ten times the electricity of a traditional internet search, with AI-generated music, photos, and videos demanding even more power.
With 5.45 billion internet users, AI adoption is driving power consumption to unprecedented levels. AI’s computing capacity is expected to double every 100 days, increasing global energy consumption linked to AI by 26% to 36% annually.
This extreme demand necessitates innovation, prompting data centre executives to adjust strategies and identify solutions for improved efficiency while maintaining reliability.
Data centres for the future
The rise of AI compels data centres to upgrade rack configurations, cooling systems, software management, and power optimisation technologies:
Rack configuration
AI workloads require thoughtful space planning to accommodate advanced cooling systems and increased infrastructure footprints. High-density racks house more servers in a smaller area, enhancing computing power without increasing space.
Integration of liquid cooling
AI-driven hardware generates significant heat, necessitating more efficient cooling systems. Liquid cooling offers a viable alternative, improving thermal management and extending equipment lifespan. Hybrid cooling solutions are gaining traction, ensuring flexibility and performance optimisation.
Flexible power distribution
Higher-density workloads require more robust power distribution. Data centres are adopting advanced uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and scalable power solutions for reliable energy delivery. Collaboration with utility companies is also increasing, helping data centres implement demand response programmes and leverage renewable energy options.
Leveraging waste heat
As data centres expand to support AI, they are repurposing waste heat to improve efficiency. Waste heat can be used to warm nearby buildings, such as homes, offices, and public spaces. Examples include:
- Google’s data centre in Hamina, Finland, supplies excess heat to a nearby paper mill.
- Equinix’s Paris data centre directs waste heat to warm Olympic swimming pools.
- Multiple data centres use excess heat for indoor agriculture or greenhouses.
Rising above the AI surge
As AI adoption accelerates, data centres must remain agile. Strategic changes in facility design, power efficiency, cooling systems, and management practices are essential to maintaining peak performance.
Every data centre operator must ask, “Is our infrastructure future-ready?” Before implementing major changes:
- Conduct a thorough evaluation of existing infrastructure, tools, and processes.
- Identify key areas for improvement.
- Prioritise high-impact zones to maximise efficiency gains.
Investing in scalable, future-proof solutions ensures long-term adaptability. Engaging stakeholders and industry experts early in the process helps align strategies with business objectives.
