Roundtable Recap: Data Center Adaptive Reuse Tips; SLAs for the AI Set; Balancing AI Designs; Innovation for Energy-Efficient AI
Our Data Center Executive Roundtable for the Third Quarter of 2024 asked for our four distinguished industry leaders' views on a series front-of-mind industry topics including:
- Main considerations for the procurement and deployment of mechanical and electrical infrastructure in data center adaptive reuse projects and sites, versus for new construction, and to what degree supply chain concerns are still a concern in the data center sector.
- The evolution of service level agreements (SLAs) for data center equipment and expansion projects in the age of rapidly escalating AI, HPC and cloud computing demand.
- Key project management strategies for facility operators and developers seeking to balance a need for great versatility with a mutual need for great specificity in data center designs for the AI era.
- The best path forward for innovation in data center infrastructure optimization, in terms of engineering for ongoing energy efficiency gains and maximum clean energy utilization in the face of AI's exponential power requirements.
Here is the full question and answer session, organized by topic:
- Mechanical and Electrical Infrastructure Tips for Data Center Adaptive Reuse
- Evolution of Data Center SLAs in the Age of AI
- Achieving Balance in AI Data Center Designs
- Innovation Paths for Energy-Efficient AI Data Centers
Here are links to the individual Q&A summaries for each of our distinguished panel members:
- Data Center Insights: Danielle Rossi, Trane
- Data Center Insights: Sean Farney, JLL
- Data Center Insights: Harry Handlin, ABB
- Data Center Insights: Josh Claman, Accelsius
The conversation is moderated by Data Center Frontier Editor in Chief Matt Vincent.
Thanks to all of our executive participants for sharing their time and insights!
About the Author
Matt Vincent
Matt Vincent is Editor in Chief of Data Center Frontier, where he leads editorial strategy and coverage focused on the infrastructure powering cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy. A veteran B2B technology journalist with more than two decades of experience, Vincent specializes in the intersection of data centers, power, cooling, and emerging AI-era infrastructure. Since assuming the EIC role in 2023, he has helped guide Data Center Frontier’s coverage of the industry’s transition into the gigawatt-scale AI era, with a focus on hyperscale development, behind-the-meter power strategies, liquid cooling architectures, and the evolving energy demands of high-density compute, while working closely with the Digital Infrastructure Group at Endeavor Business Media to expand the brand’s analytical and multimedia footprint. Vincent also hosts The Data Center Frontier Show podcast, where he interviews industry leaders across hyperscale, colocation, utilities, and the data center supply chain to examine the technologies and business models reshaping digital infrastructure. Since its inception he serves as Head of Content for the Data Center Frontier Trends Summit. Before becoming Editor in Chief, he served in multiple senior editorial roles across Endeavor Business Media’s digital infrastructure portfolio, with coverage spanning data centers and hyperscale infrastructure, structured cabling and networking, telecom and datacom, IP physical security, and wireless and Pro AV markets. He began his career in 2005 within PennWell’s Advanced Technology Division and later held senior editorial positions supporting brands such as Cabling Installation & Maintenance, Lightwave Online, Broadband Technology Report, and Smart Buildings Technology. Vincent is a frequent moderator, interviewer, and keynote speaker at industry events including the HPC Forum, where he delivers forward-looking analysis on how AI and high-performance computing are reshaping digital infrastructure. He graduated with honors from Indiana University Bloomington with a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing and lives in southern New Hampshire with his family, remaining an active musician in his spare time.
Voices of the Industry
