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Jun 11, 2024 • 34min

The Future of Data Centers: Innovations, Challenges, and AI-Driven Growth

David Liggitt and Jonathan Schildkraut discuss the impact of AI on data center growth, challenges in power generation, and the need for innovative solutions in managing power usage. They highlight the surge in demand for high-powered cooling methods driven by AI workloads, and explore strategies like nuclear power and micro-reactors to meet expanding power needs.
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May 31, 2024 • 29min

Geographical Shifts and Power Strategies in Data Center Growth

In this video, Mike and David dive deep into the changing landscape of data center demand across the United States. This eye-opening conversation reveals key geographical shifts and innovative power strategies that data center operators are employing to meet the ever-evolving needs of the industry. The Growth of Submarket Spread in Established Data Center Markets Data center operators are branching out from traditional core locations to submarkets as part of the ongoing trend of submarket spread. Northern Dallas's transformation into hotspots like Red Oak and Midlothian exemplifies this geographical diversification of data center deployments. Venturing into Non-Established Data Center Markets The podcast also unraveled the trend of exploring non-established data center markets with rich power infrastructure. Jackson, Mississippi, El Paso, Texas, and Birmingham, Alabama are emerging as key destinations for hyperscale users, heralding a shift towards untapped regions for data center development. Tapping into Power Plants for Reliable Energy Sources Data center operators are acquiring power plants to ensure a secure and continuous supply of energy. Amazon's strategic acquisition of a nuclear power plant in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania is a testament to the growing trend towards self-sufficiency in power generation. The Rise of Self-Generation and Onsite Power Solutions Data center operators are exploring self-generation through natural gas, modular nuclear reactors, and other onsite solutions. With companies like Bloom Energy leading the race, the conjecture around alternative energy sources and decentralized power generation is gaining momentum. Expansion of Existing Data Center Facilities for Future Scalability The strategy of acquiring data center buildings with room for expansion is a key discussion point. The purchase of buildings with surplus power capacity for potential expansion highlights a forward-thinking approach to meeting escalating data center demands. As industry trends evolve, data center operators are gearing up to meet the burgeoning demands of the digital era through evolving market areas and powerful new energy solutions.
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May 22, 2024 • 29min

Rising to the Challenge of Sustainable Data Centers in Asia-Darren Webb, CEO-Evolution Data Centres

Recently, Damon Lim, APAC Regional Director at datacenterHawk, and Darren Webb, Co-founder & CEO of Evolution Data Centres, had a comprehensive discussion grounded in the premise of sustainability and the latter's strategic approach in high-growth emerging markets in Asia. A Commitment to Sustainability in High-Growth Markets One of the focal points of their conversation was the commitment of Evolution Data Centres to sustainability. Darren Webb underscored that core to their business vision was sustainability, well before it became a trend in the industry. Webb analyzed the opportunities and challenges of tier two markets as against traditional tier one markets, including the availability of renewable energy and the prospects for growth in these developing markets. The Intricacies of Sustainable Data Centers Webb then went on to dissect the intricacies of establishing sustainable data centers at large scales. The discussion veered around the company’s approach of securing green power via partnerships with renewable generators in various markets. Webb explained the hurdles one has to cross for ensuring green power transmission and the endeavor of the company to influence regulatory positions to advocate for renewable energy usage. Predicting a shift towards green power prioritizing over connectivity in the near future, Webb highlighted the industry's pressing need. Personal and Corporate Sustainability The dialogue concluded on the note of the global Evolution of Data Centres, with a particular emphasis on the increasing demand for sustainable practices and the obstacles companies face in achieving their sustainability goals. Webb opened up about his personal commitment to sustainability, including reducing his meat consumption and adopting eco-friendly practices in his daily life. Webb underscored the importance of making informed decisions timely, gauging the available options to reach the best possible outcomes in sustainability initiatives. The conversation between Lim and Webb offered profound insights into Evolution Data Centres’ strategic approach to sustainability and its influence on the data center industry. Darren Webb’s commitment to continuous improvement and responsible decision-making in sustainability initiatives sets a benchmark for the company's future steps in the ever-evolving data center landscape.
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May 14, 2024 • 23min

The Power Play: Navigating the Global Expansion of the Data Center Industry with CBRE's Pat Lynch

Join us as we delve into an enlightening discussion between, Ed Socia of datacenterHawk and CBRE's Data Center Solutions Executive Managing Director, Pat Lynch, as they discuss crucial developments and future directions of the data center industry. They tackle the challenges of surging power demands, uncover market trends, and highlight sustainability efforts that redefine industry standards. The Exponential Rise of the Data Center Sector In recent years, the data center industry has witnessed a remarkable surge in demand. This surge has led to significant challenges and shifts in the market dynamics, testing the industry's capacity to adapt and evolve. This section explores in greater detail how the industry is responding to the increased power requirements necessitated by this growth, as well as the trend towards the development of larger data center facilities. It highlights the strategic adjustments companies are making to accommodate the escalating demand for data storage and processing, and the innovative approaches being adopted to ensure energy efficiency and sustainability in these larger-scale operations. Unpacking Trends and Submarket Evolution This section presents an in-depth examination of the data center market, covering a range from primary to tertiary spaces. It highlights the significant influence of key regions such as Northern Virginia and Dallas, which have become pivotal in shaping the industry's landscape. The discussion extends to the critical role of incentives and tax advantages offered by various regions, which serve to attract data center investments. Furthermore, the importance of sustainability practices in the development and operation of these facilities is explored, underlining its impact on the market's evolution. Additionally, the emergence of new submarkets is analyzed, indicating a trend towards diversification and specialization within the data center sector. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide a clear understanding of the current state and future prospects of the data center market. CBRE's Global Strategy and Commitment to Sustainability Dive deeper into CBRE's comprehensive global operations in the data center landscape, illustrating their sophisticated approach towards international expansion and their unwavering commitment to sustainability. This detailed overview not only highlights CBRE's dedication to environmental stewardship but also sheds light on the strategic maneuvers and innovative practices that have positioned it as a formidable leader in the global market. Explore how CBRE leverages its expertise to navigate the complexities of the data center sector, ensuring growth, efficiency, and sustainability are at the forefront of its operations. The data center industry is on a trajectory of continual evolution, with sustainability, power management, and market trends at its core. Influencers like Pat Lynch lead the charge, positioning CBRE at the helm of this digital infrastructure revolution, ready to face tomorrow's challenges.
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Apr 24, 2024 • 43min

The Potential of the Latin America Data Center Region

An Insightful Conversation Steve Sasse, LATAM Regional Director at datacenterHawk, recently sat down with Ricardo Alário, CEO of ODATA, to discuss the company's progression and expansion throughout Latin America. With a keen focus on Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Chile, ODATA has established a notable presence in the region. Ricardo Alário brings an extensive background in private equity and venture capital to his leadership role at ODATA, with a special focus on emerging deals in developing countries. His experience in the telecommunications and data center industry served as a significant asset in navigating the challenges and seizing the opportunities in the Latin American data center landscape. Established in 2015, ODATA initially faced hurdles in the hyperscale market. However, with tenacity and strategic planning, the company expanded its operations across key LATAM countries. Each country presented unique challenges, such as bureaucratic processes in Chile and the importance of profound local knowledge in Mexico. ODATA's success in Mexico is marked by its second facility and securing a significant power capacity for future expansions. Even with a slowdown in absorption rates, ODATA remains confident about the growth potential in Mexico. Alário envisions Brazil not only as an energy exporter but also as a hub for machine learning and AI processing. By utilizing the country's sustainable and cost-effective energy sources, Alário believes Brazil can attract companies that are at the forefront of technological innovation. ODATA's expansion throughout Latin America bears testament to its strategic decision-making, resilience, and innovative vision. The company's focus on key countries has allowed it to carve out a significant presence. Further, its plans for Brazil underline a strong commitment to both innovation and sustainability, positioning ODATA as a trailblazer in the data center industry. A Journey Rooted in ExperienceODATA: Growth against the OddsMaximizing Opportunities in MexicoBrazil's Potential: Renewable Energy and AI ProcessingThe Future of ODATA
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Apr 18, 2024 • 33min

Decoding the Data Center Industry with Chris Downie, CEO of Flexential

In Conversation with Industry Leaders A fascinating video interview occurred between David Liggitt, Founder & CEO of datacenterHawk, and Chris Downie, CEO of Flexential. The discussion spanned topics across the data center industry, focusing on Flexential's unique approach to customer service. Unraveling the Expertise of Flexential Downie gave insights into his journey from the financial world to leading Flexential. He emphasized the necessity of comprehending emerging technologies and capital markets in navigating the data center space. Flexential platform caters to a broad range of clientele, from large tech corporations to smaller enterprises, offering tailored scalable solutions. Navigating the Dynamic Data Center Industry Landscape The CEO mapped out the notable transformations in the data center industry in recent years. He pointed to an upswing in demand coupled with supply constraints, leading to a rise in pricing. Nevertheless, Flexential has successfully adjusted to these shifts, building bigger facilities and branching out into new markets, thereby maintaining a steady supply. Flexential Fabric’s Value Proposition Downie demonstrated the power of Flexential Fabric, a unique software-defined tool that brings together an array of resources and capabilities through a singular connection. This platform simplifies the use of interconnection offerings, IP transport, private line connectivity, and cloud fabric. It offers its customers versatile, scalable, and immediate resource access. Concluding Reflections In the realm of data centers, conversations like the one between David Liggitt and Chris Downie are invaluable. They shed light on the intricacies of the industry and the innovative strategies companies like Flexential employ to stay ahead. Downie's insights not only underscore the dynamism of the data center sector but also highlight Flexential's commitment to excellence and adaptability in an ever-evolving digital landscape. As the industry continues to grow, Flexential's forward-thinking approach and dedication to customer service set a benchmark for others to follow.
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Apr 3, 2024 • 20min

Norway: The Next Frontier in Data Center Expansion

Simon Justnes, CCO of Green Mountain, discusses why Norway is an ideal location for data centers due to renewable energy sources and favorable climate. Green Mountain serves enterprise, wholesale, and hyperscale clients, focusing on scalable solutions. The podcast also explores the growth potential of the European data center market and upcoming trends like AI and sustainability initiatives.
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Mar 22, 2024 • 23min

Turning Challenges into Opportunities: A Conversation with Applied Digital's Wes Cummins

Wes Cummins, CEO of Applied Digital, discusses their journey from Bitcoin mining to data center provider, strategic site selection for power efficiency, and meeting market demand. They dive into their growth, team formation, GPU deployment, and challenges in securing power sources for data centers.
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Mar 7, 2024 • 26min

Charting a Sustainable Path for Data Centers

Damon Lim, datacenterHawk's Asia Pacific Regional Director, is eager to introduce GreenSquareDC into the conversation on progressive data center operations with this HawkTalk with their CEO, Walt Coulston. GreenSquare DC, a fresh face in the data center market, prioritizes sustainable and high-density data centers. Their 96 MW campus, nestled in Perth, Australia, champions a new approach to power utilization and market location. What's more, GreenSquareDC is dedicated to responsible and renewable energy production. They foresee a future where data centers accommodate not just traditional cloud computing but also GPU-enabled data centers. Sustainability and accountability are increasingly crucial for their industry. Walt reveals the rationale behind choosing Perth, Australia for their 96 MW campus: significantly cheaper power pricing. Perth's power pricing undercuts the global average by about 320%, presenting a cost-effective site for their operations. With a stable power market and favorable gas reservation policy, Perth outshines its competition, even within growing data center markets like Sydney and Melbourne. GreenSquareDC's design philosophy is underscored by a rigorous commitment to sustainability. With designs that are water-positive and minimize waste in operations, GreenSquareDC aims to leave no ecological footprints. With a proposed 300 MW wind and solar farm and an energy consumption model that favors density and liquid cooling, GreenSquareDC strives to be a net positive energy consumer. Their approach to constructing data centers from the ground up endorses sustainability and efficiency. Walt's vision for the future of data centers includes traditional cloud computing as well as GPU-enabled data centers. He anticipates a future where sustainability takes center stage, coupled with stringent legislation and accountability. As the industry grapples with the challenges of power supply and demand, especially with the shift toward renewable energy sources, GreenSquareDC is well-equipped to address these challenges due to the strategic advantages of their Perth location and their strong commitment to sustainability. GreenSquareDC's strategic decision to set up their 96 MW campus in Perth, Australia underscores the city's unique advantages, namely its significantly cheaper power pricing and its proximity to Southeast Asia. Their dedication to sustainable design and renewable energy projects manifest in their operations. The future of data centers, according to GreenSquareDC, will see the rise of both traditional cloud computing and GPU-enabled data centers. Their commitment to sustainability and accountability sets them at the forefront of addressing industry challenges and realizing a sustainable future for data centers. Powering Through with Cost-Effective Solutions in PerthSustainability - The Heart of Green Square, DC's Design PhilosophyEnvisioning the Future of Data CentersGreenSquareDC - Unlocking a Sustainable Future for Data Centers
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Mar 7, 2024 • 14min

Mastering the Art of Connectivity in Data Centers

Join us as we take a deep dive into the importance of network connectivity within the data center landscape in our HawkTalk between datacenterHawk Founder & CEO, David Liggitt, and Consuo CEO, Geoff Brewer. This riveting exploration delves into Consuo's groundbreaking work in offering unique connectivity solutions and how data center operators can optimize their network offerings. Get up to speed with the evolving data center market dynamics and learn about the pivotal role AI plays in defining connectivity requirements. Understanding the Importance of Connectivity in the Data Center Industry David Liggitt and Geoff Brewer shed light on the vital role of connectivity within the data center sector. Although power remains crucial, the need for high-performing networks has become increasingly important. Consuo stands out for tackling this challenge head-on, offering distinctive, global connectivity solutions designed to fill gaps in the industry. Thanks to their deep understanding of global networks, Consuo is able to offer customers unique connectivity options and routes. Catering to a Broad Spectrum of Connectivity Requirements Consuo takes pride in their ability to meet the multifaceted connectivity needs across various industries such as finance, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and fintech. With these sectors requiring robust and dependable network connectivity, Consuo has perfected the art of offering tailored connectivity solutions that supplement existing networks and offer backup pathways to ensure absolute reliability. Through comprehensive knowledge of network topology and insightful data transparency, Consuo empowers customers to make informed network decisions. Thriving Amidst Market Challenges & Exploiting Emerging Opportunities The conversation enlightens us about the possible limitations due to industry consolidation, potentially affecting routing diversity. Yet, the future shines promisingly for the data center industry with the steady growth of sites and capacity. Consuo aims to seize the opportunities in this upward trajectory, providing intricate and unique connectivity solutions. As AI's influence amplifies, Consuo foresees a swelling demand for connectivity between data center facilities, paving the way for exciting business opportunities. Conclusion: Connectivity is pivotal within the data center industry, and Consuo is blazing a trail with their innovative solutions. By expertly combining network assets, Consuo offers connectivity opportunities rarely found elsewhere. As the industry propels forward, with AI claiming larger stakes, the need for unique and dependable connectivity will rise. To get a closer look at Consuo and their unrivaled expertise in connectivity, visit their website at www.consuo-networks.com.

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