Data Centre Alliance

Like many companies, we are looking for ways that AI can help save us time, increase understanding and boost our development at Techbuyer. We are also part of the sector that hopes to deliver this, and can already see changes to server and data centre IT hardware architecture that supports this.

With this in mind, we joined other members of our trade association at the Data Centre Alliance at St Paul’s in London to hear about the latest in data centre challenges and opportunities in the face of unprecedented increased demand. The day condensed key points from engineers, mechanics, government and think tanks into a series of ten 10-minute talks. It was also a great opportunity to catch up with some old friends and make new connections.  

Market Developments in AI Adoption

Many countries are hoping to be at the forefront of the AI revolution and there is a lot of scope for new markets to open or accelerate. One such region is the Mediterranean, which is strategically located to serve Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and energy prices are still relatively low.  

Market intelligence from DC Byte suggests that Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa and Crete are all places to watch in the next few years given the number of early stage plans. In the UK, new data centre regional hubs are being established in Scotland, Wales and the North East.  

According to the Department for Business and Trade, the export of Data Centre expertise is a good opportunity for the UK. With the Southeast of England already established as one of the four major data centre hubs in Europe, the country has a good network of goods and service providers that could benefit from international expansion. They will be looking to explore this with the DCA and other stakeholders going forwards.   

Servicing Demand for Growing AI Dependence 

As the sector experiences a growth period, there are a number of problems to overcome. Grid availability and infrastructure takes a significant amount of time to build. Availability of key items of equipment is complicated by the increased demand from elsewhere, notably very large companies.  

Navigating this, providers were encouraged to look for smart solutions in order to optimise what they already have, avoid over provision and avoid unnecessary wastage. RiT Tech outlined the need for Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) systems as a pathway to do this. The platform collates sensor data, inventory lists and component level monitoring to identify areas that need attention before they fail and also potentially avoid wasting resource on equipment that is too powerful for the use case. This kind of systems level approach is similar to the Circul.8 project Techbuyer is running for laptop estate monitoring.    

Sustainability is key 

As is usual for the Data Centre Sector, sustainability questions were a common theme of the day. Lack of resource availability is a threat to growth, so an operational as well as an environmental risk. Energy efficiency, energy availability, workforce, supply chain, water and land use, as well as renewable electricity contracts, were part of many presentations. There was also discussion on how to ensure data centres delivered the best outcomes for the future and what providers can do to educate the market on best practice with data handling.  

Head of Sustainability, AI and Automation, Astrid Wynne, attended the conference on Techbuyer’s behalf. As chair of the DCA Sustainability Special Interest Group, she is currently working on a best practice document for water usage in data centres. 

“I found Evapco’s talk on cooling incredibly useful, both for its simple explanation of how integrated systems work and the notes on rainwater and grey water use. I also loved the talk from Pulsant on the questions the sector should be asking of itself and the value chain. With the push towards AI adoption – and aspirations for the UK to serve some of data centre innovation to support this, we need to be clear about how we manage risks on water availability and supply chain. Experts within the industry are the best people to advise on this.”

  • Astrid Wynne, Head of Sustainability, AI and Automation

Techbuyer's Sustainable IT Solutions

Techbuyer is a global supplier of sustainable IT solutions, working with businesses and data centres to promote environmental best practice through IT use. Our services encompass the entire lifecycle of IT hardware and are backed by industry-leading research to help companies improve their overall environmental impact. Explore our range of sustainable IT solutions here for more information.