The data center industry is booming – and growth shows no signs of slowing. In the United States alone, which makes up around 40 per cent of the global market, demand for data center facilities is expected grow 10 per cent every year until at least 2030. Against that background, investment opportunities are also emerging – along with challenges. For example, one data center run by a hyperscaler might consume as much energy as up to 80,000 homes.
Yet questions around energy consumption, availability and the associated financial and environmental costs are not the only challenges. Data center operations and infrastructure require careful planning, development, maintenance and management.
In planning and development terms, this includes monitoring and dynamic adaptation to ensure the data center always meets requirements optimally, while maintenance requirements can cover everything from physical infrastructure to maintaining SLAs.
Artificial intelligence too is bringing challenges and opportunities for the data center industry. Along with other developing technologies in areas from streaming to self-driving cars, AI will drive not just data center demand, but also innovation. One important area where this is already happening is in energy consumption optimization.