Growth of AI creates unprecedented demand for global data centers

AI-specialized data centers look different than conventional facilities and may require operators to plan, design and allocate power resources based on the type of data processed or stage of generative AI development. As the amount of computing equipment installed and operated is expected to continue increasing with AI demand, heat generation will surpass current standards. Since cooling typically accounts for roughly 40% of an average data center’s electricity use, operators are shifting from traditional air-based cooling methods to liquid cooling. Providers have shown that liquid cooling boasts significant power reductions – as high as 90% – while improving capability and space requirements.

“In addition to location and design considerations, data center operators are starting to explore alternative power sourcing strategies for onsite power generation including small modular reactors (SMRs), hydrogen fuel cells and natural gas.” said Andy Cvengros, Managing Director, U.S. Data Center Markets, JLL. “With power grids becoming effectively tapped out and transformers having more than three-year lead times, operators will need to innovate.”