Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are fundamentally reshaping the data center landscape. Industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and transportation are beginning to leverage sophisticated predictive algorithms, and as AI models continue to mature and organizations strive to process growing data sets, data centers must rapidly scale to support increasingly complex workflows.
Data centers require large amounts of power due to the large amounts of computing required to operate efficiently. Some leaders are particularly concerned about the high energy consumption of AI workloads, citing reservations about the environmental impact. However, many experts believe that this concern may be exaggerated, with estimates that by 2028, AI workloads will account for only 15% to 20% of data center capacity.
In fact, technological advances, including artificial intelligence, can profoundly enhance data center energy management by streamlining operations, improving cooling technologies, and integrating renewable energy into data center operations.
Optimize energy management
As data center operations scale to meet the growing needs of organizations across industries, leaders must find new ways to streamline data center operations and reduce their environmental impact.
cooling technology
A significant advancement is the move from traditional air cooling systems to more energy-efficient liquid cooling solutions. Cooling is critical within data centers to prevent servers from overheating, but traditional air cooling is notorious for its significant impact on data center power consumption, often accounting for nearly half of a facility’s total energy use. New liquid cooling technology can move heat away from data center components more efficiently, significantly reducing the energy required for cooling functions.
Artificial Intelligence Monitoring
AI can also enhance data center operations by analyzing hundreds or thousands of IoT sensing devices across all areas and correlating them with real-time insights, facility and/or IT optimization opportunities, and overall risk management and avoidance. For example, AI can predict maintenance needs before they arise, preventing any unnecessary downtime.
In the future, more advanced artificial intelligence models will be able to automatically adjust cooling or power distribution based on the real-time operation of the data center, thereby preventing unnecessary energy waste, risks, etc. Continuous optimization through AI-powered energy management software enables data centers to increase efficiency, reduce risk and waste, and align operational practices with environmental goals.
Smart Grids and Microgrids
To effectively manage energy needs, data centers are increasingly adopting smart grid technology and deploying microgrids. Smart grid technology facilitates real-time communication and control between energy suppliers and consumers, improving the reliability and efficiency of energy distribution. Microgrids, on the other hand, are localized energy systems that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main grid. Together they enable better management of distributed energy sources such as solar and wind, reducing pressure on the main grid and increasing energy resilience.
Integrate renewable energy
AI can also help optimize the siting of renewable energy projects and help integrate these renewable energy sources into data center operations. By analyzing massive data sets, AI can determine the best locations for installations, predict energy production, and facilitate the seamless integration of intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar into the grid. This approach not only enhances the scalability of renewable energy initiatives, but also enables data centers to meet performance demands while reducing their carbon footprint.
Embrace innovation and improve energy efficiency
As artificial intelligence continues to transform data center operations, the demand for high-performance computing continues to grow, and the increasing data traffic from digital services and cloud computing creates both challenges and opportunities. While some may view the need for more scalable infrastructure to support AI-driven applications as problematic, it also opens the door to innovation and operational efficiencies. Autonomous systems powered by artificial intelligence can streamline daily tasks, reduce human oversight, and increase productivity while pushing the boundaries of infrastructure design.
Crucially, this evolution is about more than just managing energy consumption, but leveraging AI to optimize resources, enhance sustainability and build more efficient data centers. The future of data centers will depend on their ability to adapt to the demands of artificial intelligence, driving technological advancement and environmental responsibility.
About the author
Joe Reele is Vice President of Solutions Architect at Schneider Electric, responsible for integrating the company’s full suite of products and services to provide customers with complete solutions. Joe has over 22 years of experience in strategic planning, business development, operations management and systems engineering strategy. He began his career with the U.S. Air Force nuclear program and then led one of the largest financial data center portfolios in the world. Joe possesses strong technical and business leadership skills with the ability to analyze an organization’s business needs, identify gaps and potential opportunities, and develop innovative solutions to meet client business objectives.
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