Future Proofing Data Centres: Strategies for AI-Driven Energy Demands.
The first question for every DC operator is: Where is the power?
In a detailed technic al evaluation Piller UK technical director Keith Maclean-Martin addressed this vital question in a recent presentation to a DatacenterDynamics audience.
The session delved into an exploration of the future of power for data centres in the era of AI.
It began by covering how by 2026 the global electricity demand from AI, cryptocurrencies and data centres could exceed 1000 TwHs – more than doubling since 2022.
It revealed an alternative future for data centre developers where the power for 100MW, 300MW and 500MW campuses can be found at a time when traditional power grids are facing huge demand from every sector.
Grid pressure?
Across the world data centre operators are not being guaranteed grid connections – in fact securing a grid connection for 100MWs of power could mean a ten year wait.
This prospect of power hampering the scaling out of data centres is being compounded by changes in the grid itself as rotating power generation falls and grid stability and resilience drops.
An additional complication is that AI workload power profiles are hugely different from previous generations of IT load. Inside the data center modularity of UPS systems that sync and scale to AI workloads for efficient matching to changing load profiles is a workable solution.
So, scale, load characteristics and volatility are shaping new strategies for secure access to power and stable delivery of that power.
Power of 10 Solution
For AI scale out data centres onsite prime power of grid quality is available through the Power of 10 technologies.
This microgrid solution consists of power generation through 10MW hydrogen ready gas engines combined with power conditioning and switching technologies for stabilization.
With these technologies prime power can be localized in the microgrid bring the power supply under the control of the data center operator. It can be standalone or integrated with local grids – opening up the opportunities for fully protected bi-directional power flow.
For new build facilities where available grid access is in question, the Power of 10 is a long term sustainable alternative that that integrates with renewable energy resources and can eliminate the need for back up generators.
AI is changing how data centres must be powered. Primary on site baseload power protected from fault impact protects investment and provides access, delivery and secured sustainable power. The answer is the Power of 10
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To find out how technologies available today can meet AI power needs through Strategies for AI-Driven Energy Demands – access Piller’s presentation on Future Proofing Data Center Power.
To access the session please click here.
About Piller
Piller power conditioning and backup technology can be found in major mission-critical power applications globally. For many of the world’s banks and financial institutions, governmental agencies, data centre operators, telecoms networks and airports, as well as hospitals, semiconductor and pharmaceutical manufacturers, Piller equipment is the go-to technology.
Piller was founded by Anton Piller in Hamburg in 1909. Today the company is headquartered in Osterode, near Hanover in Germany, with subsidiaries across Europe, in the USA, India, Asia and Australia. The company employs around 1,000 people worldwide.
In 2016 Piller acquired the Austin TX kinetic energy storage producer, Active Power Inc.
Piller Group GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK engineering and industrial group, Langley Holdings plc and is part of the Power Solutions Division together with Bergen Engines AS, GKN Hydrogen and Marelli Motori Srl.