Demanding, power hungry, and coming to a Data Centre near you!

Are you ready for AI?

Data centres are in the midst of a seismic shift; already heavily invested in the energy transition towards renewables, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now firmly accelerating the need for that transition while simultaneously creating new demands and opportunities of its own.

AI is moving rapidly and is power hungry.  AI is demanding; it creates heavy & spiky workloads that necessitate augmented IT infrastructures with even greater stability and reliability than ever before.  AI impacts everyone it touches, increasing complexity for the operator and adding pressure to the grid. With annual data creation reaching unsurpassed and perhaps previously unimagined levels, by loading AI into the mix, the explosion in the demand for data is tangible. GOLDMAN SACHS forecasts that data centre electricity consumption could drive 160% increase in data centre power demand.  – representing more than 30% of total Data Centre power consumption - further strengthening the case for greater efficiencies and a focus on renewable energy sources.

Our dependency on data is real and growing which, in turn, impacts every aspect of a data centre and its operation – from sheer computing power to supporting infrastructure, from design specifications to the nature and scale of the wider facility, both in terms of planning, construction and ongoing support.

Clement Barthelmebs - Data Centre Marketing Manager

 “We’re already aware of increasing challenges in handling HPC (High Performance Compute) load profiles due to their fluctuating nature.  Rapid load cycles, voltage instability and the long-term impact in equipment and battery lifespan are being flagged as concerns by operators already coming up against some of the complexities that AI can present.”

Given the pace with which AI is growing and the immense amount of power that a proliferation of synthetic data and applications will consume, how can you ensure that your equipment and services needed to support those facilities will be AI-ready?

Clement BARTHELMEBS continues; “It’s important to think about AI-readiness in the context of some of the big headlines – without losing focus of the fundamentals.  For instance, ensuring that your UPS is tailored to supply and react appropriately to the load profile – while meeting exacting standards and staying compliant when it comes to dynamic performance.  

Underpinning this, it’s vital to ensure that your UPS is extremely reliable with a high MTBF and design rules that enable the handling of unusual loads. Secondly, it’s vital to consider the level of protection required for the distribution, ensuring compatibility of the UPS even under worst case operating scenarios, when working on the Genset or during network losses.  Advanced Genset management is also critical in terms of delivering robust solutions that are fit for AI. 

Finally, harnessing the power of predictive maintenance for enhanced reliability is going to prove invaluable as the creation of synthetic data ramps up.” 

Socomec’s range of UPS is well known to provide very high reliability based on very high MTBF and our stringent design rules make Socomec UPS’ able to handle this kind of non-usual customer load.

The emergence of AI and its unique load behaviour

With AI evolving at full throttle, it’s of paramount importance that power supply systems have the capability to perform reliably and to remain stable in the face of a growing demand for compute-intensive tasks. AI applications often exhibit unique load characteristics, such as high gradient load fluctuations from 0 to more than 100%.  This means that it is crucial to have an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) that can handle these demands seamlessly if a facility is to fulfil its potential.  Without robust UPS solutions, there is a risk that the gains from AI are lost if power is interrupted.

Clement explains; “AI systems often involve complex computations that require significant and instantaneous bursts of power. For supplying power for deep machine learning models or HPC (high performance computing) can suddenly spike power consumption, going from zero to full load in a fraction of a second. This unique load behaviour—characterised by large load steps and high variability—demands a UPS that can respond with precision and speed.”

Traditional UPS systems, designed for more predictable and steady loads, may struggle to keep up with the dynamic power requirements of AI applications. Additionally, these sudden and significant power demands can pose serious challenges to the electrical grid. The grid must be able to handle these peak power loads without compromising stability. 

“When multiple AI systems simultaneously demand high power, it can lead to grid instability, including voltage fluctuations and frequency variations. This not only affects the AI systems themselves but can also have broader implications for other critical infrastructures reliant on the same power supply.”

As AI technology rapidly evolves, understanding its power requirements is essential for maintaining data center performance and stability. Ensuring your infrastructure is equipped to handle these demands is critical. For further insights and assistance, contact our team at info.uk@socomec.com.