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<\/a><\/p>\nJuly 24, 2025 \u2013 Even though our world cannot exist without them, I confess to feeling a little sorry for data centre operators after reading Eaton\u2019s white paper \u201c2025 Data Centre Progress Report\u201d.<\/p>\n
Authored by Rich Karpinski, principal analyst and channel lead for the 451 Research service of S&P Global Market Intelligence, the white paper lists numerous concerns that these enablers of the \u201cIntelligence Age\u201d face daily.<\/p>\n
The Eaton white paper is based on a commissioned web survey conducted in March and April 2024. Respondents from a dozen or so countries were qualified based on knowledge of their organization\u2019s adoption of digital transformation strategies. The sample size for the commercial data centre owners and operators in this study was 345.<\/p>\n
The progress report includes data from S&P Global Market Intelligence and its 451 Research service, as well as Eaton\u2019s Brightlayer Report 2024, \u201cThe evolution of digital transformation: adoption, execution and expansion in the wake of AI\u201d, with data collection and analysis by S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research.<\/p>\n
In short, you could say that Karpinski\u2019s analysis presents a pretty fair representation of what\u2019s going on with data centres, and the challenges faced by their operators.<\/p>\n
DC operators are asked to deploy new computing infrastructure in spaces ranging from the largest facilities to small \u201cedge\u201d locations. Whatever the site, they have to optimize that space while simultaneously addressing significant energy, power, and cooling requirements. Oh, and operators have to do all this against the backdrop of chasing ever-loftier sustainability goals, which often include the incorporation of renewable energy sources.<\/p>\n
(I won\u2019t even get into cybersecurity.)<\/p>\n
In the white paper, Karpinski explores five trends that will transform data centres. For our purposes, we will focus on the areas where engineers and contractors can use their electrical intelligence to come to a DC operator\u2019s rescue.<\/p>\n
Capacity, power, and sustainability<\/p>\n
\u201cThe need to serve compute-heavy AI workloads has become job one for both commercial and enterprise data centres,\u201d Karpinski writes, noting that AI workloads\u2014particularly generative AI, or GenAI\u2014present extremely high computational and storage requirements.<\/p>\n
How high? According to the paper, the coming wave of accelerated computing is forecast to increase annual electricity demand from data centres to more than 280 TWh in 2024 in the U.S. alone! By 2028, this is expected to nearly double to 530 TWh.<\/p>\n
Within the data centre itself, rack densities above 10 kW are prevalent and will continue to rise, with the largest proportion of respondents (35%) employing rack densities of 21-50 kW. The proportion of respondents with rack densities of more than 100 kW is projected to increase from 9% currently to 15% in five years.<\/p>\n
Although data centres are among the world\u2019s largest energy consumers, Karpinski notes this sector also has some of the most aggressive sustainability goals, with large DC operators like Google and Microsoft promising 100% use of renewable energy within the decade.<\/p>\n
But then there\u2019s that growing AI demand, which is not helping matters at all, as it creates additional power demands for operators. While compute capacity is driving decision-making in the moment, \u201cmedium- and long-term sustainability goals, such as reducing carbon footprint, increasing the use of renewables, and managing climate change risk, are a priority today and will likely remain so across the coming decades\u201d.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s no easy task striking a balance between the capacity needs of today against long-term sustainability. According to Karpinski, it\u2019s a tough challenge for even advanced DC operators.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor instance, Google reported a 13% rise in carbon emissions in 2023, primarily attributed to increased data centre energy consumption, despite significant investments in clean energy,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\n
To address sustainability challenges, DCs are focusing on renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, as well as improved energy storage to help mitigate renewables\u2019 intermittency.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, operators are also relying on transmission and distribution upgrades to the grid. For example, major US investor-owned utilities have announced plans to spend nearly $400 billion on upgrades over the next five years to address data centre capacity demand and improve overall grid resiliency and efficiency.<\/p>\n
DC power and energy priorities<\/p>\n
Respondents noted the following as their energy\/power-focused operational priorities:<\/p>\n
41% \u2013 Increase the use of renewable energy sources
37% \u2013 Improve energy storage capabilities
30% \u2013 Lower overall energy\/power costs
28% \u2013 Achieve power usage effectiveness (PUE) targets
28% \u2013 Turn energy\/power management storage from cost to revenue centre
22% \u2013 Operate an overall carbon-neutral facility
22% \u2013 Leverage energy credits\/carbon offsets
17% \u2013 Sell power back to the grid
16% \u2013 Deploy microgrids<\/p>\n
At the heart of these priorities are electrical engineers and contractors, who can play a vital role in designing and implementing the power infrastructure that helps DC operators meet their capacity and sustainability goals.<\/p>\n
The data centre sector is expanding rapidly, and the need for skilled electrical professionals right alongside it. Those who can navigate power distribution challenges, integrate cutting-edge energy storage solutions, and implement sustainable practices will be invaluable partners.<\/p>\n
From backup power systems to energy efficiency solutions and microgrid deployment, electrical expertise is critical. As operators move toward renewables, battery storage, and more intelligent power management, those with experience in these areas will find themselves in high demand.<\/p>\n