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