The growing demand for data centers, fueled by AI and cloud computing, has placed immense pressure on energy consumption and sustainability efforts. To tackle these challenges, Digital Realty, one of the world’s largest data center operators, is leveraging AI-driven solutions from Coolgradient to optimize energy efficiency and sustainability. This collaboration, recently presented at the Green Data Center Conference by Digital Realty’s Kasper Dessing and Eline ter Hofstede from Coolgradient, is paving the way for data centers of the future.

Their entire presentation was recently published online and can be found here.

AI-Powered Optimization for a Greener Future

Digital Realty operates over 300 data centers across six continents and is a recognized leader in sustainability. Committed to achieving carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, the company is taking bold steps to reduce energy intensity and improve operational efficiency. Their partnership with Coolgradient is central to this mission.

By integrating AI-powered data center optimization software, Digital Realty can:

• Enhance energy efficiency by analyzing vast amounts of real-time sensor data.
• Predict and prevent equipment failures through AI-driven prescriptive maintenance.
• Reduce water and energy waste, optimizing cooling systems for maximum performance.
• Empower data center managers with AI-driven insights, allowing for real-time decision-making.

This AI-driven approach is already showing tangible results, including 18 GWh of energy savings over the past 2.5 years, improved uptime, and significant operational efficiency gains.

From Traditional Operations to Intelligent Data Centers

Traditional data centers rely heavily on static, human-driven optimizations that often fail to adapt to real-time changesin workload demand and environmental conditions. Coolgradient’s AI models, integrated into Digital Realty’s Apollo platform, continuously analyze and optimize cooling, energy distribution, and operational performance.

One of the key advantages of this AI-driven model is its ability to adjust dynamically to real-world conditions. For instance, during unexpected heatwaves or fluctuating IT loads, the AI system recommends continuous adjustments, ensuring that energy is allocated efficiently and cooling systems operate at optimal levels.

The result? A more reliable, energy-efficient, and sustainable data center ecosystem.

Beyond Energy Efficiency: A Holistic Approach

The benefits of AI-driven data center optimization extend beyond energy savings. Digital Realty and Coolgradient are also pioneering solutions in:

• Prescriptive maintenance: AI identifies symptomes and generates a diagnosis that solves the root-cause, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
• Smart scaling: The AI-driven system adapts to data center expansion, ensuring consistent efficiency across Digital Realty’s global portfolio.
• Sustainable energy integration: The AI helps maximize the use of renewable energy sources and innovative cooling solutions such as waste heat recovery and ATES systems (Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage).

A Model for the Future of Data Center Operations

Digital Realty’s commitment to AI-driven optimization and sustainability is setting a new industry benchmark. The partnership with Coolgradient demonstrates how AI can be a game-changer in reducing the carbon footprint of data centers, making them smarter, greener, and more reliable.

With AI-driven operations, predictive analytics, and continuous energy optimization, the path to truly sustainable data centers is clearer than ever. This is the future of data center operations—intelligent, efficient, and sustainable.

What we do

Coolgradient addresses the industry’s toughest challenges—from energy scarcity to workforce shortages—with a platform that learns and adapts to each data center’s unique operational needs. By analyzing billions of data points, we optimize everything from cooling systems to UPS, ensuring seamless asset harmony and peak efficiency.

Product features

Our platform’s standout features include:

• Portfolio-level Recommendations that provide executives and operational teams with actionable plans to improve each facility’s performance.
• Explainable AI that clearly shows what is happening and why implementing its recommendations is beneficial.
• Human-centered AI that uncovers unique patterns in your facility while keeping you fully in control.
• Seamless Onboarding that utilizes existing data for rapid, IoT-free deployment.

Coolgradient’s AI empowers operators with actionable insights, balancing sustainability, uptime, and reliability. Our prescriptive maintenance feature identifies operational risks unseen by traditional systems, reducing downtime and extending asset life.

Impact

Our platform has achieved impressive results:

• Energy Efficiency: Reduced energy consumption by up to 35%, saving over 21,225 MWh.
• Water Conservation: Lowered water usage by 28% across multiple sites.
• Operational Efficiency: Decreased time spent on operational optimizations by 40%, allowing data center teams to focus on high-impact tasks.
• Asset Reliability: Enhanced asset reliability and health through advanced prescriptive maintenance.

Coolgradient’s solutions now support nearly 50 data centers worldwide, proving adaptable to both new and legacy facilities across diverse climate zones. Our clients benefit from simplified workflows, enhanced reliability, and proactive risk management—all without the need for costly IoT projects.

Join us on our journey

Be with us on December 11 as we await the results! Together, we’re setting new standards for reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.