Aging Data Centers Face a Crossroads - SFP Insider

Site & Facility Planning Insider Presented By: Thursday, February 20th, 2025

Aging Data Centers Face a Crossroads—Are You Ready to Upgrade? With 55 percent of data centers now over a decade old, the industry is at a critical juncture.  The surge in artificial intelligence (AI) applications is driving unprecedented demand for high-performance computing, necessitating significant upgrades to existing infrastructures.   In his Area Development article titled Unlock Efficiency and Performance in Data Centers, Fred Miller of Gresham Smith explores how strategic enhancements—such as voltage conversion, UPS overhauls, and hybrid liquid cooling—can elevate reliability, scalability, and energy efficiency. The rapid advancement of AI technologies is reshaping data center design and operations.  A recent report highlights how AI is creating a seismic shift in the way data centers are designed, built, and operated.  This transformation is evident in regions like Europe, where a data center space shortage is anticipated due to the AI boom.  To meet these evolving demands, companies are exploring innovative solutions, including the construction of natural gas plants to power new data centers, as seen in Ohio. As modernization efforts accelerate, finding the right solutions—whether through adaptive reuse, next-gen cooling systems, or strategic site selection—will define the future of data centers. Embracing these advancements is essential to stay competitive in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Unlock Efficiency and Performance in Data Centers Fred Miller, Project Executive, Gresham Smith Aging data centers face mounting pressures to evolve as 55 percent of facilities are over a decade old. Strategic upgrades can unlock new levels of reliability, scalability, and energy efficiency. Read More.

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