With the rise of artificial intelligence, enterprise data centers are seeing their energy consumption soar. While the average density per rack was around 150 kW just a few years ago, it can now reach 1 megawatt in the most intensive configurations, fueled by a proliferation of GPUs and increasingly power-hungry CPUs.
This evolution, far beyond traditional standards, requires a complete overhaul of architectures. In response to these constraints, some companies are experimenting with external power modules (side-cars) capable of powering multiple racks while optimizing energy distribution and the proximity of components to reduce latency.
However, these solutions remain pioneering, and technical challenges are mounting. The increase in energy demands now requires advanced electrical skills, far beyond traditional IT certifications. The shortage of qualified technicians is becoming a major structural barrier. To address this, experts are calling for a simplification of physical infrastructures, increased automation, and a redesign of technical training.
The data center of tomorrow must therefore be as intelligent as it is powerful, balancing performance, security, and sustainability.
