Programme Snapshot

Panel debate: The UK data centre landscape and rise of hyperscalers

Are hyperscale data centres going to eat your dinner? With their ability to maximise cooling, manage power more efficiently and balance workloads more effectively, hyperscale data centres are undermining traditional infrastructure. More and more hyper-scale data centres are being built across Europe, so what does this mean for traditional data centres? How, as a data centre operator, can you ensure your offering and facilities stay competitive while capturing emerging opportunities from the increase in hyperscalers? In this session, you will learn:

• Who is using hyperscale data centres and what for
• How much of a threat they are to your business
• How can you compete, and differentiate your offering

Deep dive discussion: How machine learning and AI can deliver data centre gains

Machine learning and AI have been shown to optimise cooling and reduce data centre energy bills – which is certainly appealing. But using AI and applying it to your operations can be very challenging and requires new skills and techniques. In this panel, we will explore the AI opportunity for data centre operations and learn what’s needed to apply it successfully to your data centre. The panel session will look at real-world examples and show how AI can reduce energy and costs for data centres. Attend to learn:

• How AI helps boost data centre efficiency
• What solutions are available
• Challenges involved in using AI

Deep dive discussion: Financing data centres – an evolving landscape

The boom in data centre construction doesn't look set to quieten down anytime soon. And with the expansion of 5G and edge computing, we are likely to see a new class of smaller data centres emerge, closer to where information is actually generated. In this session, industry experts will look at how trends in data centre design are likely to change – and what this means for the asset class. We will be exploring the various financing options available to data centre developers and the return on investment for this kind of product. Our speakers will discuss:

• Trends in data centre design
• Financing vehicles available
• Potential risks associated with data centre investment

Climate action: Carbon neutral data centres – beyond the energy source

Many data centre operators are choosing to power their infrastructure using renewable energy sources in an effort to combat climate change. But energy usage isn't the only way that data centres can tackle their carbon footprint. For example, data centres are buildings – which means that they contain a lot of ‘embodied’ carbon. The metal, bricks and mortar used in construction will have generated large amounts of CO2 during production. In this session, we will look at how various design, construction and management decisions affect a data centre’s carbon footprint and how to minimise it. Learn about:

• How to account for all carbon generated in data centre design and management
• Tools to calculate data centre CO2
• Best practice for clean, green data centres

Panel debate: Data centre design strategy – key consideration in a changing world

Many of the fundamentals of data centre design are well established. However, we live in a changing world, and this is influencing how data centres are managed. Perhaps foremost are technological changes – with the Internet of Things, 5G and edge computing all influencing size and location of data centres. There are also significant pressures from governments and consumers with regards to environmental concerns which are pushing data centre operators to find new ways of being more environmentally friendly. Attend this session to learn about:

• Trends affecting data centre design
• How a flexible strategy protects you from unforeseen developments
• What is on the horizon for data centre design