Future Of Data Centres (North America)

Published 2 August 2024 by Harry Wilson & Claire Stephens &
Energy Management Facilities Optimization Microgrids Real Estate & Built Environment Renewable Energy Future Of

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Executive Summary

Data centres serve as the backbone of our digital society – and this asset class continues to grow and evolve, as consumer demand for services such as AI, cloud computing and 5G connectivity increases. This report adopts a forward-thinking approach to envision how data centres will morph and develop over the coming years, due to ever-changing operator, investor and consumer priorities.

Table of contents

Summary for decision-makers
Data centre growth shows no sign of slowing

Data centres are the essential foundation of our digital society
Cloud computing and AI are pressing firmly on the gas pedal of growth
The three horsemen of the future data centre: sustainability, efficiency and performance
Sustainability agendas are in contention with slow grid decarbonization
AI and high compute workflows are bringing step changes to facility performance and capabilities
Efficiency of all operations within data centres is paramount
The data centre of the future will be revitalized and repurposed
Data centres must assume the role of energy assets, rather than buildings
Circular design and improved resource management will become commonplace

Table of figures

Figure 1. The four main types of data centre
Figure 2. Uptime Institute tier classification
Figure 3. Data centre operator sustainability commitments
Figure 4. Overlapping functionality of DCIM with EMS and CMMS
Figure 5. The data centre of the future

About the authors

Harry Wilson

Senior Analyst
Harry is a Senior Analyst in the Verdantix Real Estate & Built Environment practice. Harry's research and advisory expertise centres on energy management; he leads Verdantix coverage of building energy management software, building electrification, and microgrids and energy resilience technologies. Prior to joining Verdantix, Harry worked as a Mechanical Engineer at engineering consultancy Arup, where he specialized in the design of net zero new-build and retrofit facilities across the commercial, science and technology sectors. He holds an M.Eng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nottingham. 

Claire Stephens

Research Director, Smart Buildings
Claire Stephens is Research Director of the Smart Buildings team. With 18 years of experience in the sector, Claire is recognized as an expert in industries that make up the built environment, in particular, corporate and commercial real estate, and workplace and sustainability technologies. At Verdantix, Claire will be digging into building technology for building owners, occupiers and investors, focusing on how to support them in reaching their ESG objectives. Prior to her arrival at Verdantix, Claire launched Asia’s first corporate real estate, green building and building technology publications. She has also delivered full lifecycle real estate consultancy services covering a broad range of asset types in industries including financial services, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, technology, consumer goods, media, retail and hospitality.

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