demand for Artificial intelligence (AI) It doesn’t grow, it devours it. This comes at a time when electricity infrastructure growth is insufficient to keep up with consumption growth. Electrification is accelerating, air conditioning has exploded in half the world, and new factories are being built in emerging countries. On top of all this is the largest data center expansion ever recorded. We are starting to see the results. Tensions within the network increase further. The color will be more saturated. higher price. And a growing number of companies are desperately looking for ways to harness the power in front of new chips.
But this Movement cannot be explained by specific increases alone. According to data of international energy agency (IEA), Global data center consumption could be between 620 and 1,000 Terawatt time In 2030. Translated, it corresponds to the annual production between. 60 and 100 modern nuclear reactor.
This estimate is a central reference for analysts and regulators because it raises questions for us.yes What remained until recentlyn It’s in the background. Which sectors are ready for this surge in demand and which sectors will be the new beneficiaries? Unlike previous cycles, this is the beginning of a technological race that relies on complex physical infrastructure.
For years, attention has focused on chip manufacturers and large digital service platforms. That’s natural. They are the engine of growth. However, with the large-scale deployment of AI models, some of the focus has shifted to: elements you haveAt present, he hardly appears at the results presentations. IFrom power grids to industrial refrigeration to engineering. You can put everything together.
Various reports McKinsey and banks of America the study Let me explain the same scenario. Increased spending power Increase power generation, remodel substations, expand transmission lines, replace equipment One that has been in operation for decades. Modernization of electrical and thermal infrastructure is becoming a key point in determining the rate of data center expansion in the coming years.
first bottleneck
IThe story begins on the internet. The increase in connection requests from digital projects exceeded initial expectations in some regions. This is occurring in areas of the United States where data centers are concentrated and available capacity is decreasing faster than expected. AIE They argue that this pressure forces operators to: Prefer more powerful transformersmedium voltage systems, and more robust backup equipment.
This scenario opens a window of growth for power infrastructure manufacturers. bank of America the study Mentions of Eaton, Schneider Electric, and GE vernova These groups are best positioned to absorb order waves because they cover critical components of power flow. We cover everything from switchboards to internal stabilization solutions.
cool down AI
The second front appears in temperature. New generation chips consume more energy and generate More heat. Rooms designed a decade ago no longer support that pace. McKinsey explains that liquid cooling is making great strides in high-density projects because it guarantees constant temperatures and reduces the risk of interruptions. The difference is not small. Maintaining a stable server that runs 24 hours a day is GPU sufficient.
This change is driving companies specializing in advanced industrial air conditioning. Vertive, train technology and johnson control They feature repeatedly in sector reports because of their ability to integrate complex thermal solutions. Demand is coming from both new facilities and operators looking to update centers already in operation to avoid delays in energy efficiency and operational continuity.
Industrial infrastructure that supports growth
The third block is in specialized engineering and construction. Building a modern data center requires extensive civil engineering work, precise electrical equipment, and control systems that cannot afford to fail. The number of companies that can coordinate this type of project is limited and orders are increasing rapidly. Highlights of referenced analysis EMCOR group and quanta service For his track record in critical infrastructure integration. and presence in projects where demand already exceeds installed capacity.
Accordingly, manufacturers of industrial generators are also entering a special period. In situations where network capacity expansion takes years, Telecommunications operators try to ensure energy redundancy to avoid the risk of interruptions.. with caterpillar cummins is strengthening its production due to an increase in orders for support systems associated with the establishment and expansion of development centers. The goal is simple. Ensures power is available even when the grid is not yet at peak performance.
andthis set of the sector It forms an ecosystem and until recently occupied a low-profile position in the technology market. The situation has visibly changed. The IEA describes a transition in which digital innovation and industrial modernization move at the same pace and require each other. Demand forecasts for 2030 will require adjustments to power investments, thermal infrastructure, and network expansion It involves complexities that were not present in previous cycles.
This is the point where two major current trends converge. on the other hand, love. on the other hand, The need to adapt physical infrastructure to power consumption This approaches the total output of 100 nuclear reactors.
About The Author
