AI & HPC
Digital-first strategies are replacing manual processes, with real-time monitoring systems leveraging AI to continuously optimise energy usage. The use of Battery Energy Storage Systems( BESS) to provide back-up renewable power is also gaining significant traction, with $ 5 billion invested in 2022 alone, which is triple from the previous year. Most importantly, we see energy evolving from a cost centre to a value generator, with facilities participating in grid services and energy markets to create new revenue streams while supporting grid stability.
Q. HOW DOES PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE FIT INTO THIS? HOW CAN THIS TECHNOLOGY ENSURE DATA CENTRE OPERATIONS ARE MORE SUSTAINABLE?
» Predictive maintenance represents a fundamental shift from reactive approaches to data-driven anticipation of issues before they occur. I’ ve seen firsthand how this shift is economically crucial, as our research has shown that waiting for equipment to fail typically costs organisations up to 10 times more than implementing proactive maintenance strategies. When we extend asset lifecycles through predictive maintenance, we’ re dramatically reducing the environmental footprint associated with manufacturing and disposing of equipment. This moves us away from the wasteful‘ take-makedispose’ mindset toward a circular economy approach.
“ The bottom line is that decarbonising existing data centre infrastructure is fundamentally a business imperative”
STUART THOMPSON, PRESIDENT, ABB ELECTRIFICATION SERVICE
Modernisation plays a big part in this transformation. Degraded equipment consumes significantly more power and updating these systems through targeted retrofits rather than complete replacements delivers dual benefits. By keeping modernised systems at peak efficiency, predictive maintenance directly reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, while minimising the higher carbon footprint of emergency replacements and expedited shipping. This shows how operational excellence and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with data-driven maintenance strategies that extend the life of existing infrastructure.
150 July 2025