Chris Montalbano’s Post

Data Centers & Behind the Meter Power: A recent McKinsey report confirms that the “United States is expected to be the fastest-growing market for data centers, growing from 25 GW of demand in 2024 to more than 80 GW of demand in 2030, and meeting this “demand will require considerably more electricity than is currently produced in the United States.” As McKinsey noted, investors “can seek to support behind-the-meter solutions to provide power in areas where utilities providers cannot keep up with pace or reliability requirements as local supply availability or transmission constraints worsen.” Here, for example, “investors could seek opportunities to build power that can be fully islanded outside the grid, retrofit existing sites or facilities to densify and bring additional capacity, or provide supplemental power.” AlphaStruxure (a Schneider Electric and The Carlyle Group company) provides behind the meter power generation microgrids from financing to operations, and our microgrids can be islanded or interconnected. 

McKinsey research shows that time to power is the biggest consideration for data center operators when building new sites. Adding to investor tension, as access to grids has declined, timelines for investing in and further building out grids for regulated utilities have become longer than the development cycle of data centers. Notably, power unavailability in most markets is driven by limitations in interconnecting to the transmission grid, rather than an inability to generate the power. However, latent capacity in the generation fleet is largely held by fossil-fueled plants operating below their maximum levels. https://lnkd.in/g8nkYkBw

This stark reality underscores the need for innovative solutions to optimize energy use and manage the increasing demand for high-density workloads. We recently came across this article in EE Times | Electronic Engineering Times by Sherman Ikemoto, highlighting the crucial role of digital twins in creating energy-efficient data centers: https://lnkd.in/etH4hxe9. The data center industry faces significant power use and efficiency challenges as AI applications surge. At DDC, we are at the forefront of addressing these challenges with our cutting-edge hybrid liquid-air cooling solutions. Our technology is designed to maximize efficiency and minimize energy consumption, offering a sustainable path forward for data center management. Like the digital twin technology discussed in the EE Times article, our solutions enable data center operators to balance capacity, efficiency, and compliance seamlessly. The integration of digital twin technology and innovative cooling solutions is not just about meeting today’s demands but also about future-proofing data centers for the challenges ahead. At DDC, we're committed to pioneering solutions that align with this vision, enabling our clients to stay ahead in an increasingly energy-conscious world. Explore how DDC’s hybrid cooling solutions can revolutionize your data center operations and drive energy efficiency. Together, let's build a more sustainable future for the data center industry. International Energy Agency (IEA)

📢💡 With the Data Center Industry constantly growing and evolving! It is important to acknowledge the Trends and implications of the industry! An interesting insight being: To build a resilient backbone that can support the AI revolution, the DC and power industries must collaborate to forge new solutions in providing power to DC development and expand into new markets. One promising potential strategy: repurposing of legacy sites by exploring a different operating paradigm, one that unlocks synergies from the existing grid and fiber interconnections of the retiring assets to meet the growing energy demands of the AI revolution. #projektmanagement #projektentwicklung #bau #construction #projectmanagement #projectdevelopment #datacenter #rechenzentren #sustainability #ESG #edgedatacenter #hyperscale #europe #londondatacentre #ParisDataCentre #Paris #France

The AI revolution has brought about transformative opportunities for businesses and industries, but it also places immense pressure on data centers. As demand for high-performance computing surges, operators face significant challenges in meeting power requirements while balancing speed to market, sustainability, and cost-efficiency. This article examines the key power generation hurdles data centers encounter, explores solutions, and highlights the role of technology-agnostic independent power providers and developers in creating tailored power strategies. ➡️ Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eq_mYcFw Want to connect with the authors? Reach out to Peter Smith or Jamie Smith today! #RPower #datacenters #microgrids #primepower #bridgepower #speedtomarket #powergeneration #ptc2025

In a recent article, DigitalBridge CEO Marc Ganzi highlights a critical issue that I have been deeply involved with solving: power constraints on data center growth. Indeed, while the United States is not depleting its overall power resources, the centralization of power in hyperscale data center locations poses significant challenges. This mismatch between power availability and data center location is not a matter of generation but of transmission and energy storage. As we navigate this evolving landscape, two strategies appear particularly promising: 1. Microgrid Implementation: Microgrids offer a robust solution for enhancing power resiliency and operational independence at data centers. By decentralizing power production, microgrids can ensure a more reliable power supply and significantly improve energy efficiency. 2. Geographic Distribution: Shifting data center infrastructures from centralized locations to a more distributed "near edge" model will not only alleviate the strain on power resources but also enhance data processing speeds and user experience by bringing data closer to the end-user. These strategic shifts align with the broader transition in computing from discrete-time AI model training to real-time, continuous AI modeling—a topic I recently discussed in my presentation at Data Center World in Washington D.C., titled “Construction Design for a Generator-less Future.” At INTUVA, we are at the forefront of designing and constructing adaptable data centers that meet these emerging needs across various geographical and industrial landscapes. Meanwhile, GRID7 Energy is pioneering the transformation of power solutions for critical facilities. Our innovative approach includes the deployment of natural gas linear generators, solid-state fuel cells, and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Together, INTUVA and GRID7 are not just anticipating the future needs of data centers but actively shaping them, ensuring our clients are prepared for a landscape where power availability and efficiency are paramount. For more information on how we can help your organization stay ahead of the curve in data center design and energy solutions, visit INTUVA Solutions and GRID7 Energy.  

𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚 9% 𝙤𝙛 𝙐𝙎 𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙗𝙮 2030 Data centers in the United States are projected to use up to 9% of the nation’s electricity by 2030, more than doubling their current consumption, according to the ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC. This surge is driven by technology companies expanding their computing hubs, particularly with the growth of #generativeAI. The annual growth rate of electricity use by data centers is estimated to range from 3.7% to 15%. Data centers, along with the expansion of domestic manufacturing and the electrification of transportation, are significantly increasing U.S. electricity demand after two decades of flat growth. These centers require substantial power for high-intensity computing and cooling systems, with large data centers using as much electricity as 750,000 homes. The concentration of data center power usage is currently in 15 states, primarily Virginia and Texas. The increased power demand from data centers could strain the electric grid, potentially leading to higher power bills and outages. To address this growing demand, the institute recommends improving data center energy efficiency and investing more in the grid. As generative AI continues to expand, the power requirements for data centers are expected to increase significantly, highlighting the need for strategic planning and infrastructure investment. https://lnkd.in/guAPjmTX

🚀 One of the most pressing topics in the US power sector today is the impact of data center growth on power demand. My talented colleagues across our Electrical Power & Natural Gas, Technology, Media & Telecommunications, and Private Capital Practices have collaborated to provide valuable insights into this dynamic landscape. They explore the opportunities and challenges of scaling infrastructure while considering the broader implications for clean energy goals. If you're interested in how we can navigate this crucial intersection of technology and energy, I invite you to check out their perspectives! 💡 #DataCenters #PowerDemand #CleanEnergy #EnergySector https://lnkd.in/gr6_TRx4

🚀 Disruptive Data Center Trends for 2025: Shaping the Future of Technology 🖥️ The data center industry is evolving at lightning speed, with 2025 set to be a pivotal year. At Iron Box, we’re proud to support data centers worldwide with innovative power distribution and connectivity solutions that meet the demands of today’s rapidly changing landscape. Here’s what’s disrupting the industry: 1. The AI Revolution 🤖 AI and generative AI workloads are reshaping data centers. With power-hungry ‘superchips’ and rack densities soaring past 300kW, dedicated AI data centers are no longer a luxury—they’re a necessity. The explosion of compute-intensive workloads demands infrastructure that’s optimized for efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. 2. Powering the Future ⚡️ Data centers are facing unprecedented energy demands, with AI workloads pushing consumption to new heights. Solutions like microgrids, renewable energy, and hybrid systems are stepping up to the challenge. At Iron Box, we’re ensuring reliable and scalable power distribution to keep data centers running efficiently, no matter the load. 3. The Rise of Liquid Cooling ❄️ As servers get hotter, liquid cooling is becoming the go-to solution for thermal management. Whether it’s immersion cooling or direct-to-chip systems, the future is clear: sustainable, efficient cooling technologies are here to stay. 4. Sustainability at the Core 🌎 From renewable energy integration to waste heat reuse, data centers are adopting greener practices to align with global decarbonization goals. Transparency and efficiency are now competitive advantages, and companies like Iron Box are here to help power these sustainable transformations with precision-engineered solutions. At Iron Box, we’re committed to powering the future of data centers. From high-density power distribution units to custom cabling solutions, we’re innovating alongside the industry to meet its growing demands. Let’s connect and discuss how we can partner to optimize your data center’s infrastructure for 2025 and beyond. #DataCenters #Innovation #AI #Sustainability #PoweringTheFuture #IronBoxSolutions 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eqnGiqNN

With data centers growing to support #AI-driven demands, the need for reliable, resilient power sources has never been greater. Our CTO, Ravi Prasher, was recently quoted in the Forbes Technology Council Expert Panel article, “18 Challenges (And Solutions) On The Horizon,” discussing the challenges and solutions data centers will face in 2025. At #BloomEnergy, we’re proud to lead the way with on-site power generation solutions like our Bloom Energy Server®. When data centers use decentralized energy systems, they reduce their reliance on centralized grids, helping to manage fluctuating energy loads while ensuring reliable, sustainable power. 👉 Read the full article to learn more about how decentralized energy solutions are shaping the future of data centers: https://lnkd.in/gW2ggZfz #DataCenters #CleanEnergy #PoweringAI