As technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics push rack density higher, traditional data center models are showing their limits. Most traditional data centers weren’t built for this level of power, performance or heat generation per square foot.
That’s where modular data centers (MDCs) can make all the difference. These purpose-built systems offer a smarter path forward because they’re engineered from the ground up with the speed, efficiency and flexibility that modern infrastructure demands. In their infancy, modular data centers may have been limited in their use, but today’s MDCs can often outperform traditional builds in a wide variety of applications, including handling high-density workloads.
The Demands of High-Density Data Centers
According to McKinsey & Company, average power densities in data centers more than doubled between 2022 and 2024, from eight kilowatts (kW) to 17 kW per rack. AI workloads are expected to continue increasing at this rate, possibly becoming as high as 30 kW by 2027. Goldman Sachs Research projects AI will account for 27 percent of the global data center market’s power usage by 2027, driving total power usage up to approximately 84 gigawatts (GW).
Traditional data center infrastructure wasn’t designed to handle such sustained high densities. Greater strain on servers and switchgear calls for not only IT and power equipment that’s up to the task but also adequate cooling equipment to handle the immense heat generated by these servers.
Another consideration for high-density deployments is the ability to scale efficiently and effectively. Fast scaling can’t sacrifice uptime or reliability—a common challenge in legacy environments.
How Modular Data Centers Are Built for High Density
Modular data centers provide an effective solution for building out high-density data center capacity. Consider these advantages that MDCs deliver:
1. Scalable Infrastructure
Modular data centers are highly scalable, allowing organizations to easily build out their capacity as needed without undertaking traditional construction projects or overprovisioning capacity for future readiness. Modules fit seamlessly together to create a highly efficient data center ecosystem. Plus, when it comes to power infrastructure, MDCs can come with pre-integrated electrical systems engineered for high-kW applications.
2. Precision Cooling Technologies
When you work with a modular data center supplier, you can choose the technologies you want to integrate into the final product. Modern MDC designs support a variety of cooling technologies, including direct-to-chip or immersion cooling, which are especially fitting for high-density data centers. You can model thermal designs in advance during factory integration to ensure the setup is optimized. You can even use MDCs to designate different density zones within a single deployment and tailor cooling technologies accordingly.
3. Space Efficiency and Intelligent Layouts
Modular data centers are designed for efficiency in many respects, including space utilization. MDCs feature optimized rack configurations with built-in airflow optimization and cable management. Compact modular data center designs eliminate wasted space and maximize rack utilization per square foot of your facility.
4. Accelerated Deployment
Modular data centers are, in many cases, highly customized rather than being off-the-shelf products. Even so, these purpose-built units can be produced far faster than stick-built data center facilities. Experienced teams work within a controlled factory environment to create a highly reliable product with minimal opportunity for delays. The speed and consistency prefabrication provides make MDCs an excellent choice for a multi-site rollout or rapid scaling to support increasing density needs.
5. Future-Ready Design Philosophy
Modularity enables as-needed growth without large-scale reconstruction. This means you can right-size your capacity now and stay prepared for the future. For example, maybe your organization’s use of AI is still in its infancy, and you’re not sure what your data processing needs will look like a decade from now. With MDCs, you don’t have to guess. You can simply focus on present needs and the immediate future. As your capacity needs change or as you become ready to integrate next-gen technology, your MDCs ecosystem can easily flex with you.
Go Modular to Support High-Density Data Center Needs
Modular data centers are designed to meet high-density requirements now and help you scale as needed in the future. Offering fast deployment, tailored performance and the flexibility to future-proof your data center needs, you can count on MDCs for a wide range of applications, including intensive computing tasks.
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