Data centre and power news round-up — July 2023
As global demand for energy rises and digital ecosystems continue to grow, data centres and power plants are constantly innovating to become more eco-friendly and efficient. At Wiltech Acoustics, we work closely with these sectors and pride ourselves on being in tune with the latest advancements and shifts. Here’s our round-up of five significant stories from July 2023 that caught our attention.
Colocation IaaS vs. Public Cloud
Back in July, Data Center Knowledge reported on a significant decision many businesses face: choosing between colocation Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and public cloud IaaS. Colocation is when businesses rent space in a data center to house their own servers and equipment, benefiting from the data center’s power, bandwidth, and cooling systems. However, colocation IaaS, as offered by companies like Rackspace and Equinix, takes this a step further by providing on-demand IT infrastructure similar to what you’d find in public clouds. This setup combines the physical space of traditional colocation with the as-needed IT services of IaaS. The report shed light on the benefits of this hybrid model, including a wider range of bare-metal server options, more control over the infrastructure, and extra managed services. However, it also touched on the potential higher costs and longer minimum usage periods compared to public clouds. In the end, businesses must weigh control, costs, and support services to make their choice.
Offshore wind industry’s financial challenges
The BBC delved into the mounting financial challenges facing the UK’s offshore wind sector. Notably, the suspension of the Norfolk Boreas wind farm by Swedish energy giant Vattenfall underscored the economic difficulties. Just as consumers are grappling with rising living costs, the offshore wind industry confronts surging expenses for raw materials, rendering pre-set wind energy prices increasingly unsustainable.
Analysts have observed that while there’s a palpable ambition within the renewable sector to accelerate the green transition, many in the industry feel that these rising challenges aren’t being adequately addressed. With the Climate Change Committee previously emphasising the UK’s slow pace in renewable adoption, these financial setbacks in the wind sector highlight the necessity for more proactive strategies.
Google Cloud’s going stratospheric
Financial news site PYMNTS has this month highlighted the expanding growth of Google Cloud, pointing to the UK retailer John Lewis’s decision to enter a $127 million partnership with the platform. As part of their move into the digital realm, John Lewis will shift more operations to the cloud, leveraging advanced AI and machine learning capabilities. This move not only signals the retailer’s embrace of cutting-edge tech but also underscores Google Cloud’s mounting influence, as evidenced by a reported 28% increase in its revenue from cloud services.
Is concrete paving the way for energy storage?
Recharge News have reported that researchers at MIT discovered a potential energy storage solution using a combination of cement and carbon black — a conductive material derived from the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum. This breakthrough has the potential to transform building foundations and roads into powerful energy reserves. A block measuring 3.5 meters could store about 10kWh, roughly a household’s daily consumption. This approach could also enable roads to wirelessly recharge electric vehicles and provide renewable farms with an avenue for storing surplus energy, all using widely accessible materials.
U.S. and China’s Cloud Tensions Escalate
The U.S. is reportedly considering measures that would necessitate American cloud service providers to seek governmental consent before supplying Chinese companies with AI-enhanced cloud services. This initiative stems from broader concerns about AI’s potential military applications and geopolitical ramifications. Such restrictions might impede tech giants like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) in their dealings with China. However, it’s noted that many multinational companies in China already collaborate with local partners due to China’s 50% local ownership mandate for cloud and telecoms services. Despite the U.S. making moves to distance from Chinese tech, the interconnected nature of the global tech sector and the rapid growth of the AI industry indicate that this could be just the start of more extensive governance in this domain.
Wiltech Acoustics engineer, manufacture and install high-quality noise control solutions for Industrial and Power applications. Contact us to find out more about how we can help your business.