Three Core Elements Determining the Future of Next-Generation Data Centers
Data center growth triggered by artificial intelligence and digitalization makes it mandatory to focus on resilience—incorporating climate risks, cooling engineering, and community relations—rather than mere scale.
As the digitalization of the global economy and the rise of artificial intelligence accelerate data center construction, resilience is taking center stage in future infrastructure due to the rising costs of potential disruptions.
Global Growth in Digital Infrastructure
According to Aon data, approximately $7.3 trillion in global investments is projected to be injected into the digital infrastructure value chain by 2030. In the United States alone, active data center capacity has reached 37 gigawatts, while the capacity of projects under development exceeds 250 gigawatts.
Since the sustainability of modern economic activities and artificial intelligence relies on digital infrastructure, the consequences of potential outages are gaining more importance with each passing day.
Climate Risks and Location Selection
Climate factors have become a critical evaluation item when choosing data center locations; indeed, 17% of active capacity in the U.S. is located in regions with a high risk of natural disasters. For instance, the state of Texas houses approximately 20% of the country's total capacity, while hosting nearly 50% of the capacity bearing a high risk of natural disasters.
Organizations are increasingly utilizing climate analytics and disaster modeling methods to determine the right locations before the construction process begins.
Cooling and Engineering Decisions
Among the engineering decisions determining the long-term performance of data centers, heat mitigation and cooling systems hold a particularly large share. Facilities must be designed to withstand both sudden disasters and gradual changes such as rising temperatures.
While approximately 54% of data centers operate in markets with chronic temperature or drought risks, 79% face severe acute hazards such as floods, wind, or wildfires.
Community Relations and Stakeholders
Community resilience and stakeholder acceptance are of vital importance for the success of larger and more resource-intensive data center campuses. Developers must engage in early dialogue with local governments, utility providers, and communities to address concerns regarding energy demand, water usage, and local infrastructure.