Deerns is a key player in the evolution of sustainable big data infrastructure which has important impact on the healthcare sector.
The exponential growth in demand for ever more powerful data centres is imposing new requirements on IT infrastructures. As the impact of generative AI on the lifecycle and structure of the industry becomes more evident, Deerns is poised to be a driving force in the evolution of large data centre design and operations.
Deerns’ response to the ever-changing needs of the industry is a proactive one and involves networking with key players in the value chain. We are also convinced that the synergy between artificial intelligence and responsible practices is the key to paving the way for a new era of data centre excellence.
As a multidisciplinary engineering company specialising in sustainable data centre design, Deerns has overseen the implementation of over six thousand data centres in 135 countries. In Italy, we have worked on 102 data centres located mainly in the north of the peninsula.
Pervasive connectivity, 5G and AI drive industry growth
According to the report ‘Global data centre colocation market – Outlook & forecast 2023-2028’ (researchandmarkets.com), the industry will grow from a total value of USD 30.4 billion in 2022 to USD 46.3 billion in 2028.
This growth is being driven by several factors:
- pervasive connectivity over fibre
- 5G
- the big data boom
- increasing demand for computing capacity related to IoT and artificial intelligence
The impact of AI on the Data Centre landscape
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a transformational force with far-reaching implications. AI requires data management infrastructures with far greater capacity than conventional cloud solutions. This requires a strategic re-evaluation of existing infrastructure. As companies integrate AI into their operations, the demand for robust data centres capable of supporting increased workloads will increase exponentially.
The new generation of data centres will have to support enormous computing needs, generating an ever-higher production of heat, which will have to be recovered and reused in the form of energy. But that’s not all. It is estimated that the electrical power and energy requirements of an AI data centre will also double. Data centres will have to offer large storage spaces through scalable and reliable storage resources.
Healthcare sector drives growth
Big Data in the healthcare Sector plays an increasingly important role This comprises clinical, epidemiological, genomic and molecular information available in healthcare organisations’ databases.
Big Data in the healthcare sectorenables a healthcare system to learn from its wealth of information. The Learning Healthcare System (LHS) approach increases the quality and safety of care while reducing healthcare system costs. Data centres are a key asset for hosting health management information systems (HMIS), medical imaging systems, telemedicine applications and other critical technologies for healthcare delivery.
Increasingly energy intensive
From a size point of view, most Italian data centres today are medium and small power (<10MW) while high power data centres (>10MW) represent the fastest growing area of the market. According to the 2023 development plan published by Terna, the first connection request made in 2013 was for a withdrawal power of 50 MW, in the province of Milan. For the next 7 years, the situation remained unchanged until, in 2020, the requested power increased from 50 MW to 590 MW (+1080%). From 2020 onwards, power demand increased almost exponentially, from 590 MW in 2020, to 980 MW (+66%) in 2021 and finally to 1.82 GW in December 2022 (+80%).
An optimised and increasingly sustainable lifecycle
AI technologies offer data centres the opportunity to revolutionise their operating models in a number of ways through:
- advanced data analysis
- predicting workload patterns
- optimising resource allocation
- reducing energy consumption
- reducing operating expenses
- improving sustainability
- analysing data centre infrastructure to inform redesign strategies
- optimising layout options
- predictive maintenance
AI tools for asset optimisation enable a comprehensive approach to data centre lifecycle management, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) equipment and servers, extending their operational lifetime, and positively impacting costs and sustainability. This may even include reducing the capital expenditure required for frequent equipment replacements, resulting in substantial savings and a more efficient allocation of resources.
Furthermore, the role of generative artificial intelligence extends to environmental considerations, such as assessing cooling opportunities and the state of nearby grid infrastructure, as well as exploring options for reusing waste heat in surrounding entities such as farms, fish farms and schools.
Here’s where we engineer Data Centre Excellence
Deerns’ global multidisciplinary team, together with its track record and expertise in key interrelated sectors – data centres, healthcare, life sciences and real estate – has positioned us to successfully navigate the complexities of the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Working closely with our clients, we will continue to deliver cutting-edge solutions that ensure data centre optimisation for the future.
Read the first publication of this article in the Huffington Post, Italy.
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