Dinesh Dhut, senior director, DC power/OSP (SEA and India)
As data centres move towards the edge, the need for customisable data centre solutions is at an all-time high. Vertiv is a company that has been tapping this growing demand. In an interview with tele.net, Dinesh Dhut, senior director, DC power/OSP (SEA and India) and product development/engineering, Vertiv, shares his views on Vertiv’s offerings in India’s evolving data centre space and future plans…
How has the Indian data centre space evolved? What role is Vertiv playing in this domain?
The surge in cloud adoption, internet usage and data generation, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, internet of things and automation, have brought the Indian data centre sector to a crucial turning point.
At Vertiv, we offer standardised network infrastructure solutions that can be tailored to unique applications by selecting design features that meet site needs.
What are Vertiv’s key offerings in the data centre domain? What new solutions are you planning to launch?
Vertiv provides a range of prefabricated solutions that can be customised to specific needs, such as setting up an efficient micro data centre, increasing capacity through colocation and cloud services, and installing a customisable modular cable landing station. These include:
- Micro data centres: Our micro data centres are designed to align power, cooling, monitoring and racks according to the unique requirements and limitations of each business.
- Modular data centres: At Vertiv, we revolutionise possibilities at the edge by developing and delivering modular, scalable data centres that facilitate swift deployment, minimise risks, and control costs.
- Core data centres: We employ modular integration techniques to assist our customers, contractors and consulting partners in designing and constructing data centres more efficiently.
What are your views on the growing demand for edge data centres? Are you planning to tap opportunities in this domain?
According to a study by Vertiv, network availability extending to rural and remote areas can put data centres under mounting pressure to provide seamless connectivity, presenting new challenges for maintaining stable and robust connections. The convergence of networks, data and cloud at the edge necessitates data centres to be strategically positioned to effectively cater to the escalating demands of users and businesses alike.
How can the data centre segment support customer sustainability efforts? What are the key market trends/initiatives in this regard?
In order to support customer sustainability goals in the data centre space, there are several market trends and initiatives that are driving innovation and creating a more sustainable future for data centres. These include:
- Focus on energy efficiency: Given the substantial energy consumption of data centres, increasing energy efficiency is crucial. This involves implementing technologies and strategies to reduce energy consumption, such as optimising cooling systems, using energy-efficient hardware and adopting renewable energy sources. Look for solutions that are energy or water efficient to conserve resources, and low global warming potential refrigerants that reduce CO2 equivalent emissions.
- Adoption of sustainable design practices: Over the past few years, the industry has been making significant strides in designing data centres with features that minimise environmental impact, such as using eco-friendly construction materials, implementing efficient space utilisation, and incorporating natural cooling and lighting techniques.
- Prioritising opportunities: Organisations looking to enhance their sustainability strategies can begin by evaluating existing data centre systems and prioritising opportunities based on efficiency goals and available technologies. As plans move forward, operators should continue to prioritise solutions that can achieve the desired levels of continuity while also increasing asset utilisation, decreasing data centre water usage, reusing data centre heat and reducing e-waste.
What are the company’s future plans/strategies for the next three years?
Vertiv continues to grow and support the sector and India with thermal, power and IT management solutions and integrated infrastructure, including innovative energy-efficient solutions that can help customers in their sustainability strategies. We are well positioned to support both emerging and maturing industry trends with our infrastructure solutions, including liquid cooling for generative AI and high density/high performance computing, as well as prefabricated modular infrastructure to support the growing shift towards the network edge.
