DATA CENTRE STRATEGY
“ The biggest challenge in this industry for engineering is the growing gap between the digital and energy transitions”
Paul Hood, COO, AVK-SEG
the service, maintenance and assetlifecycle environment. Integrating standby with generators utilised solely during power outages, operators are increasingly using engines and batteries that function as continuously operating resources, providing prime power, backing up renewables and feeding energy back into the grid.
AVK’ s work on dispatchable power highlights that microgrids are evolving from a secondary solution to a fundamental aspect of contemporary power architecture. This requires enhanced collaboration among mechanical, electrical and controls engineering, along with maintenance models that depict the behaviour of operating power plants instead of rarely utilised backup systems.
Service teams are required to oversee the lifecycle of balancing engines. AVK’ s growth of European Service Hubs in the Netherlands, Germany and some developing areas shows the demand for localised engineering responses as microgrids become more widespread. The industry’ s evident challenge in employing skilled workers highlights the need for a fresh strategy for workforce development.
The AVK Academy was developed to address this, supporting talent with training across various levels and practical learning. Supporting nextgen critical power infrastructure now demands a comprehensive mix of closeness and expertise for the future.
100 February 2026