Future Of Data Centres (North America)
02 Aug, 2024
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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.
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
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
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
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
Synergy Research Group, GridBeyond, Meta, Data Center Map, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, 451 Research, Saft, Nlyte Software, Iron Mountain, International Energy Agency (IEA), QTS Realty Trust, Eaton, Flexential, Brookfield, Linklaters, Google, Sabey Data Centers, Schneider Electric, Virginia Tech, Vantage Data Centers, McKinsey & Company, Digital Reality, Vertiv, QiO Technologies, IDC (International Data Corporation), OpenAI, CloudHQ, Optimum Path, Electricity Maps, Statista, Dominion Energy, FlexiDAO, Bank of America, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Blackstone, Equinix, GRESB, Aggreko, Keppel DC REIT, Amazon, Carrier, Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Energy Star, Switch, Siemens, US Department of Energy, Uptime Institute, Aligned Energy, Arup, NVIDIA, Starwood Capital Group, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research and Markets, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cologix, TierPoint, Oper8, Citrix, Ardmac, BloombergNEF
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 Verdant…
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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 b…
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