Kiran Raj, Practice Head of Disruptive Tech at GlobalData, comments: “This is not just a transient trend, but a fundamental shift towards a more sustainable and robust digital infrastructure. The integration of cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven energy management systems and renewable energy sources is revolutionizing data center operations. These advancements are crucial in meeting the growing demand for data processing while simultaneously reducing the environmental footprint. As we transition towards greener digital ecosystems, the emphasis on sustainability will continue to drive innovation and set new industry standards.”
Saurabh Daga, Project Manager of Disruptive Tech at GlobalData, adds: “The expansion in services like hybrid cloud management and data center interconnects (DCI) is addressing the growing data demands as well as laying the foundation towards enhancing the resilience and operational efficiency of data centers worldwide. These developments signify a deep understanding of the crucial role data centers play in supporting global digital ecosystems and set a new benchmark for future technological deployments.”
GlobalData’s FutureTech Series report, “Data Centers 2.0: Transforming Tomorrow’s Compute,” powered by the proprietary Tech Foresights model identifies and dives into over 15 disruptive forces in the data center sector based on the duration and degree of their innovation impact.
Innovations in 3D memory devices, which offer increased storage density and efficiency, are breaking traditional barriers of data storage and are gaining traction as a cornerstone for future data processing solutions. In April 2024, Samsung launched a new series of high-density 3D NAND chips designed to meet the processing needs of AI applications in data centers and mobile devices.
Data center cooling technologies are also evolving to address diverse climatic and operational demands without compromising sustainability. In January 2024, Aligned Data Centers unveiled DeltaFlow technology, which utilizes a liquid coolant to absorb and transport heat, maintaining optimal operating temperatures for critical infrastructure such as data centers.
Moreover, the rise of decentralized computing models such as grid computing is reshaping how data centers are structured and operated, enabling more localized and efficient computing solutions. In October 2023, Ireland-based Prose Technologies launched Khipu Micro Data Center, a compact solution tailored for SMEs, bringing data processing closer to the source for improved efficiency and reduced latency.
Daga concludes: “By adopting these innovative computing solutions, we are not only catering to the immediate technological needs but also paving the way for a data-driven, efficient, and environmentally conscious future. However, the journey towards widespread adoption of these advanced data center technologies faces challenges such as integration complexity, economic constraints, and the need to scale these solutions globally.”
