The Data Center Frontier Show

The discussion dives into the transformation of data centers in the AI era, highlighting the rise of AI factories that prioritize power efficiency and adaptability. Panelists emphasize the shift towards high-density racks, with demands exceeding 50 kilowatts, necessitating new infrastructure designs. The conversation also explores how this trend is encouraging development in underutilized markets, driven by the massive power requirements for AI workloads. The need for flexibility in design and the rapid evolution of technology are key themes throughout.

The discussion dives into the evolving landscape of data centers, emphasizing the shift towards edge facilities to accommodate AI workloads. Panelists explore how rising power densities are transforming rack designs, pushing beyond traditional limits. The emergence of hospitals and regional enterprises as key players shapes this new distributed infrastructure. Connectivity challenges also emerge as a critical issue, with site selection increasingly impacted by permitting delays and fiber constraints.

Max Smolaks, a research analyst at the Uptime Institute, dives into the evolution of AI data centers, explaining how former crypto miners are repurposing underused power sources. He discusses the shift towards specialized, denser rack designs and the inevitable trend of liquid cooling, despite operator resistance. Aligning the industry on 800V DC distribution, he highlights NVIDIA's influence on new designs. Smolaks also touches upon the economic implications of fluctuating AI loads and the potential sustainability of the current AI boom.

Power is the new limiting factor for data centers, with the grid struggling to keep up with skyrocketing demand. Natural gas has evolved from a controversial option to a reliable energy source for large-scale operations. The panel discusses the importance of firm fuel and financeable infrastructure to ensure reliability in energy supply. Operators are now prioritizing expertise in power generation, partnering with seasoned developers to enhance capacity and resilience. Key technology choices, such as the use of reciprocating engines, are explored to optimize performance.

Michael Thomas, Regional Vice President of Integration Services at Network Connect, shares his expertise in ILA facilities. He explains how these compact huts function as mini data centers, enhancing fiber connectivity over long distances. Delve into the complexities of site selection and the factors influencing deployment, including geology and permitting. Discover the rising demand from hyperscalers and colocation providers, and learn how ILAs are transforming rural connectivity and creating new revenue streams. Tune in for fascinating insights into the future of fiber transport!

In this panel session from the 2025 Data Center Frontier Trends Summit (Aug. 26-28) in Reston, Va., JLL’s Sean Farney moderates a high-energy panel on how the industry is fast-tracking AI capacity in a world of power constraints, grid delays, and record-low vacancy. Under the banner “Scaling AI: The Role of Adaptive Reuse and Power-Rich Sites in GPU Deployment,” the discussion dives into why U.S. colocation vacancy is hovering near 2%, how power has become the ultimate limiter on AI revenue, and what it really takes to stand up GPU-heavy infrastructure at speed. Schneider Electric’s Lovisa Tedestedt, Aligned Data Centers’ Phill Lawson-Shanks, and Sapphire Gas Solutions’ Scott Johns unpack the real-world strategies they’re deploying today—from adaptive reuse of industrial sites and factory-built modular systems, to behind-the-fence natural gas, microgrids, and emerging hydrogen and RNG pathways. Along the way, they explore the coming “AI inference edge,” the rebirth of the enterprise data center, and how AI is already being used to optimize data center design and operations. During this talk, you’ll learn: * Why record-low vacancy and long interconnection queues are reshaping AI deployment strategy. * How adaptive reuse of legacy industrial and commercial real estate can unlock gigawatt-scale capacity and community benefits. * The growing role of liquid cooling, modular skids, and grid-to-chip efficiency in getting more power to GPUs. * How behind-the-meter gas, virtual pipelines, and microgrids are bridging multi-year grid delays. * Why many experts expect a renaissance of enterprise data centers for AI inference at the edge. Moderator: Sean Farney, VP, Data Centers, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Panelists: Tony Grayson, General Manager, Northstar Lovisa Tedestedt, Strategic Account Executive – Cloud & Service Providers, Schneider Electric Phill Lawson-Shanks, Chief Innovation Officer, Aligned Data Centers Scott Johns, Chief Commercial Officer, Sapphire Gas Solutions

Jeff Barber, VP of Global Data Centers at Bloom Energy, discusses innovative non-combustion power solutions for the data center industry. He joins industry leaders to tackle how AI workloads strain today’s grid and the critical bottlenecks in power transmission. The panel explores evolving on-site power strategies, including gas-fired generation and fuel cells, while sharing insights on recruiting the next generation of engineers to meet these demands. This engaging conversation sheds light on the evolving partnership between energy providers and data center operators in the AI era.

At the Trends Summit 2025, experts delve into the transformative impact of AI in modern data centers. They explore the shift from traditional construction to modular assembly, alongside the necessity of liquid cooling for high-density AI workloads. The discussion highlights the insights gained from testing new technologies and the role of AI in predictive analytics to optimize operations. The panel also touches on the future of power architectures and energy sustainability, revealing how AI is shaping smarter, more efficient data facilities.

In this engaging conversation, Rob Campbell, President of Flex Communications, and Chris Butler, President of Flex Power, unveil Flex’s innovative integrated data center platform, designed for the AI era. They discuss how modular designs cut deployment times by up to 30% and explore the groundbreaking use of JetCool’s liquid cooling technology. The duo dives into future power systems, highlighting the shift to 400V and 800V DC architectures. Rob and Chris also emphasize their unique global manufacturing footprint and vision for a circular economy in data center design.

Pavel Durst, Global Accounts and Business Development Manager at ComAp, dives into the transformative impact of AI on data centers. He reveals how AI workloads are skyrocketing power needs, pushing rack consumption from 15 kW to potential 1 MW. Pavel discusses the shift towards high-voltage DC systems for efficiency and addresses the urgent sustainability concerns as data centers become major power consumers. He outlines the technical hurdles of increasing density and the importance of balancing reliability with greener energy solutions.