From central government and the large power providers, through the hyperscalers, colocation providers and digital infrastructure supply chain, to local communities and individual citizens, there’s a very real need to ensure that the whole data centre ecosystem collaborates to certify that the industry moves forward towards a successful, sustainable future. At the highest level, governments need to understand just how important data centres are to the digital world in which we now live. They need to do this so that, when it comes to making decisions about developing (or not) energy resources, they do so in full knowledge as to the power requirement of an expanding data centre sector. Digital knowledge is also important when it comes to planning decisions. Is it really a question of a new housing estate or a new data centre, or can both needs be equally well met with an innovative approach that, for example, encourages data centre owners and operators to think about building their own microgrids – being self-sufficient when it comes to their power needs – and supplying their waste heat to nearby buildings, along with any excess energy they generate? Which brings us to the power supply companies. How much new capacity do they need to develop – especially when it comes to the transmission infrastructure – to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of new homes, whilst also catering for the gigawatt factories of the future? Power purchase agreements are maybe just the start of a mutual dialogue which can help both the power companies and the data centre owners and operators – to work towards a common goal of plentiful energy supply, efficient energy use and maybe the data centre folks developing their own power resources, which can maybe then be handed over to the grid provider(s) at some stage in the future? As for the data centre owners, operators, of all shapes and sizes, and the data centre supply chain, there’s already much collaboration – the development of collaborative solutions which involve anything from two to multiple partners bringing their own expertise to the party to help innovate for the benefit of all. More efficient data centres, more new technologies developed, more sustainability, reduced costs – the benefits and possibilities are endless. The more so as we enter the world of AI and quantum computing. Silicon photonics, cooling solutions ‘beyond’ air and water (think cryogenics), new battery technologies, hydrogen, nuclear, seawater cooling…these are just a few of the technologies which could make a big difference to data centres over the next decade or so. Collaboration is the only way in which such innovations can be brought to market quickly and reliably. And then we move on to local communities and individual citizens, who, as of now, need to be properly educated as to the true value of data centres. Yes, to be allowed to question their sustainability credentials, but maybe they need to be made to better understand that the many digital tools they use in their own workplaces and frequently employ to campaign for sustainability (over social media) would be useless without data centres. Many industries successfully engage with schools and colleges to explain what it is they do and why it matters so much to individuals and society as a whole. Okay, so the idea of letting loose 30 or so primary school children in a data centre might not be practical, but data centre ambassadors going into educational establishments and explaining to students how almost every aspect of their lives has a data centre interaction somewhere in the background, just might help folks to understand that data centres are not the enemy, but a necessary and increasingly sustainable part of the digital world with which we all seem to be comfortable. So, government needs to decide on a data centre policy, and then engage with all of the stakeholders – the power companies, the data centre owners/operators, the data centre supply chain, the investment community, communities and citizens. In turn, power companies need to talk to government, to the data centre community, to local government, to local communities, to explain how they are helping to meet all of our needs into the future. The data centre community needs to explain to government how they can best be allowed to shape an exciting, expanding future – yes there might need to be a few sticks, but also plenty of carrots along the way as data centres can demonstrate ‘responsible citizenship’. It also needs to educate the public…and the public needs to better understand what the digital world looks like. Gaming online with folks around the world, downloading or streaming music, paying your bills on your phone – if you welcome such digital access, then take the time to understand how it is brought to your home. During the pandemic, the digital infrastructure industry was regarded as the fourth emergency service – what better way to promote the importance of data centres and the IT they support? Time for governments everywhere to create Departments of Digitalisation, to lead the charge when it comes to digital ecosystem collaboration – to promote an exciting message to which all stakeholders can respond positively and work together to ensure that sustainable, digital solutions are developed for the benefit of all. There is no need for any digital divide or divisiveness – just digital decisiveness! Next article: VDCs – the pros and cons VDCs – the pros and cons >
