An alert from the North American grid connection authority shows that data centers will be treated similarly to generation assets when requesting power connections, requiring operators to share more information and permit operational monitoring.

By integrating new natural gas electricity generation with carbon capture, operators can safeguard net-zero targets threatened by a reliance on fossil power — but initial adoption will be costly and limited to specific geographic locations.

Although media coverage suggests data center buildout is accelerating, recent announcements and construction data paint a different picture — and suggest momentum may be slowing.

Increasing community opposition to data center development is compelling hyperscalers to rethink their decades-old practices.

Some countries are attempting to create capacity headroom for new facilities by applying efficiency limits to existing data centers. In Singapore, reducing PUE will be expensive for operators.

Surging demand for AI data centers is driving a shift to on-site natural gas power, even though operators admit this will delay the achievement of net-zero goals.

Ireland has issued new conditions for large grid loads and proposed new codes for data center connections; similar measures are expected to follow in other locations.

European national grid operators are advised to adopt proposed grid code requirements to protect their infrastructure from risks, such as data center activity, even though Commission action on the issue has stalled.

Japan is expected to issue data center regulations in 2026: data centers that do not meet a 1.4 PUE limit will face penalties. However, enterprise data centers appear to have evaded the stipulations.

A last-minute revision to the European Commission's plans to simplify regulations has brought some companies back under the scope for CSRD reporting.

Data4 needed to test how to build and commission liquid-cooled high-capacity racks before offering them to customers. The operator used a proof-of-concept test to develop an industrialized version, which is now in commercial operation.

Enhanced geothermal systems use advanced drilling and hydrofracturing techniques to access geothermal energy in more locations. Some data centers may use enhanced geothermal energy for on-site, low-carbon power.

The European Parliament plans to simplify environmental reporting beyond what the Omnibus proposed in early 2025. Under the new reporting thresholds, only the largest 10% of companies would remain subject to CSDDD and CSRD requirements.

China wants to expand its data center capacity, and to achieve net-zero emissions. To this end, the nation is regulating for efficiency and renewable energy, as well as harnessing centralized control, to balance growth with sustainability.

Superconducting busbars could offer a solution for delivering power to high-density racks, eliminating resistive heating and removing the need to shift to medium voltage distribution equipment.