Page 6 - Spring 2025 Electron

The rising Importance of High-density UPS Bridging the Gap between AI and Quantum
DATA CENTRE TRENDS
AND DEVELOPMENTS
The increasing Role of AI in Data Centres
Ramzi Charif, Vice President of Technical
Operations, EMEA for VIRTUS Data Centres, writing
in Data Centre Review, H1 2025, draws attention to
the increasing role of AI in data centre operations,
highlighting four specific instances:
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• Cooling and Energy Optimisation: Cooling
accounts for up to 40 per cent of all energy
costs in a data centre. Traditional methods
have relied on fixed temperature settings and
systems that cannot easily adapt to fluctuating
loads or environmental changes. AI-driven
cooling, however, is ‘changing the landscape’
as machine learning algorithms monitor and
respond to temperature variations in real-
time. AI systems optimise cooling dynamically,
ensuring that resources are directed to where
they are needed most.
• Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance:
Data centres require constant surveillance
of key metrics such as temperature, power
consumption and network performance. AI
systems can provide this without the need for
human intervention. The ability of AI to analyse
vast amounts of data quickly means that it
can detect even minor deviations from normal
performance.
• Workflow Automation: Routine tasks such as
performing equipment checks, monitoring
systems and reporting can now be automated
using AI, improving consistency and reducing
the risk of human error.
6 7
• Legacy Systems and Hybrid Approaches:
Many facilities operate using legacy systems
that lack the capability to support advanced
AI solutions, but there is increasing adoption of
hybrid approaches that combine traditional
systems with AI enhancements. As an example
existing sensors and control systems can
be supplemented with AI algorithms to
provide advanced monitoring and predictive
capabilities.
In his conclusion the author states:
‘ As AI technology continues to mature, its role
within data centres will likely expand. The next
evolution could see AI not only managing
operations but also integrating with external
systems to provide real-time adjustments based
on broader network and environmental data.
This could include optimising power use across
multiple facilities, integrating seamlessly with
smart grid technologies, and even coordinating
energy use with renewable sources based on
availability and demand forecasts.
The industry’s acceptance of AI is expected to
grow, particularly as the technology demonstrates
its value through pilot projects and incremental
improvements. The trajectory mirrors the
industry’s shift towards cloud adoption: cautious
at first, but eventually widespread as the benefits
become undeniable’.
Reference: Charif, R., ‘Could AI be crucial in helping Data Centres
optimise their own Operations?’, Data Centre Review, H1 2025, p.10-11
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Systems in AI-driven Data Centres
This article, by Arturo Di-Filippi of Data Centre World
exhibitor Vertiv, explains how AI is pushing data
centres toward higher density configurations in
order to accommodate increasing computational
demands, linking this to the critical role played
by uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems in
addressing the challenges of densification:
‘ AI-driven applications rely on high-performance
graphics processing units (GPUs) and central
processing units (CPUs) that consume substantial
amounts of power. To maximise efficiency and
capacity, data centres are densifying their
infrastructure, packing more computing power
into smaller footprints.
In densely packed environments, even minor
disruptions in power delivery can cascade into
significant downtime or data loss. UPS systems
designed for high density applications are vital for
addressing these challenges.
Energy efficient UPS systems are particularly
essential for high density configurations, where
power demands are concentrated. By delivering
power with minimal loss and enabling optimal
load balancing, these systems support the high-
density demands of next generation computing
environments.’
It is noted that the unpredictability and variability
associated with AI workloads can put strain on
traditional power systems so advanced load
management capabilities are needed that can
readily adjust to sudden load changes.
The author concludes:
‘ Densification, efficiency and modular solutions
are reshaping the future of data centre power
management. UPS systems are at the forefront of
this evolution, providing the reliability, scalability
and energy efficiency needed to support the
demands of AI-driven workloads.’
Reference: Electrical Engineering, February 2025, p.54-55
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Computing in Data Centre Applications
This subject was addressed by Kalyan Kumar, Chief
Product Officer for HCL Software, whose view is
that combining quantum computing with AI will
radically transform how data centres operate.
It is argued that the exponential growth in
data generation coupled with ever-increasing
computational demands is placing strain on
traditional architectures, and that quantum
computing and AI together are ‘transformative
forces’ that are capable of reshaping data centre
capabilities. Quantum computing can solve complex
problems beyond current capabilities, whilst AI
provides power to learn from vast datasets.
In unison, these technologies are envisaged to
redefine the operational paradigm of data centres,
driving innovations in scalability, energy efficiency
and computational performance:
‘ In the context of data centres, quantum
computing offers groundbreaking advantages.
For example, resource optimisation and workload
distribution, both critical challenges in large-scale
operations, can be approached through quantum
algorithms which will improve the server efficiency
and reduce the overall operational costs.
Certain experiments with quantum assisted
logistics optimisation demonstrated dramatic
reductions in computational times for routing and
scheduling tasks - an analogous challenge to
managing server workloads in data centres. Such
advancements underscore quantum computing’s
potential to redefine resource allocation, cooling
strategies and hardware deployment within data
centres.’
Further benefits are envisaged in security with
quantum-safe cryptographic protocols, such as
lattice-based and multivariate encryption methods
potentially providing increased resilience against
quantum attacks in data centres.