Driving Digitalization: The Imperative for Safe and Sustainable Data Centers

Society depends on digital applications for work, education, transportation, entertainment, healthcare, and almost every other aspect of our modern lives. Through these digital applications, we are creating and consuming massive amounts of data. By 2030, the number of Internet-connected devices is expected to grow by 242% compared to 2019. All that data is processed and hosted within a data center, so it should come as no surprise that the demand for data center capacity is at an all-time high and continues to rise, having grown by 137% in just the last year. This contributes to furthering societal progress in several ways, for example:

1. Improving education: Online learning platforms rely on data centers to manage educational materials, helping to democratize access to knowledge for widely dispersed or underserved communities.

2. Empowering workers: Data centers are the foundation for cloud-based applications and services that enable productivity from anywhere with a signal. The raw computing power needed for these tools can only be achieved through these complex facilities. This benefits companies through more expansive talent pools and supports workers by offering flexibility and access to employment far beyond their home markets.

3. Enabling innovation: From scientific research to AI advancements, data has driven innovation. The current push for the integration of Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models (LLM) into usable solutions is only possible through data centers. Easy access to these tools can be a significant boost for a startup or a community previously isolated from the wider world.

4. Enhancing Access to Healthcare: Data centers play a crucial role in healthcare by securely storing patient records, facilitating telehealth consultations, and driving medical research that is not possible with traditional methods.

As economies become increasingly digital, the importance of reliable digital infrastructure grows. Addressing climate risks to data centers is important to protect critical infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted access to essential services. Developing greener data centers is crucial for sustainable digital transformation and supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. By reducing the environmental footprint of data centers, countries can reduce emissions and meet sustainability goals.

Governments have established green building standards, incentivized the use of renewable energy sources, regulated the use of refrigerants, and more firmly supported efficient electronic waste management practices. With our technology Data Centers get to be safe, reliable and eco-friendly.  Siemens Energy enables the fast-paced Data Center development through a range of products and solutions. We are addressing these challenges head-on with cutting-edge technologies, for example Higher Rating Dry Type Distribution Transformers.

• These transformers deliver high power efficiently to IT racks, optimizing energy use.

• Siemens Energy’s transformers are filled with compressed air and have no liquid insulator. They’re moisture-resistant and have no risks of oil leaks, spills or need for containment which again expands its lifecycle. 

• The specially developed spacers of the coil support system in a dry transformer ensure isolation of vibrations from the iron core, which means very low noise levels. The dry transformer is flame-retardant and self-extinguishing and therefore safe to be placed near residential areas. Simply spoken, there is nothing that can burn or explode, consequently safer. It is also “tropicalized” which means, it sustains in areas of extreme weather conditions from -25 °C to +60 °C and a humidity relative > 95 %. 

• Our Cast Resin Transformers are highly efficient and reliable. They handle electrical stress well and are free from partial discharges. The overload capacity is high which again ensures reliable power supply and increases flexibility.

• Apart from that, they can be made of recycled aluminum and copper which makes them even more sustainable. 

We've recently piloted project to manage high-density power racks, marking a significant step towards a stable and efficient future in data center operations.   Siemens Energy Grid Technologies offers dry transformers for data centers (GEAFOL and CARECO) serving ranges from < 1,000 kVA up to 60,000 kVA.

In recent years, I’ve connected with a range of professionals, from policymakers to data center technicians, who offer applicable principles for policy formulation, regulation, as well as the development, operation, and acquisition of data center infrastructure; my learning: there is no way around the need for more data centers.

Countries are facing the daunting task of balancing the increasing power demands of new data centers with their clean energy goals.  With Siemens Energy partnering with key players, we pave the way for a safe, reliable, resilient grid of the future.