• • • DATA CENTRE WORLD • • •
DATA CENTRE WORLD RETURNS TO EXCEL LONDON WITH A SHARPER FOCUS ON RESILIENCE, EFFICIENCY AND DIGITAL AMBITION
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his March, Data Centre World once again takes over ExCeL London, bringing together operators, engineers, consultants and technology vendors at a time when the sector faces unprecedented demand. As part of the wider Tech Show London, the exhibition has become a fixture in the industry calendar, offering a concentrated view of the infrastructure that underpins modern digital life. For electrical engineers, the event has particular resonance. Data centres sit at the intersection of power engineering, thermal management, automation and sustainability. The rapid growth of cloud services, streaming, fintech platforms and public sector digitisation has elevated facilities from background assets to strategic infrastructure. That shift is reflected in the tone of this year’s programme, which places reliability and energy performance at the heart of the conversation.
Operators are grappling with intensifying loads driven by artificial intelligence workloads and high-density compute racks. These applications demand resilient low-voltage distribution, robust standby generation and carefully designed earthing systems. At Data Centre World, visitors can expect to see advances in switchgear, busbar systems and modular power skids intended to reduce installation time while maintaining compliance with British and international standards. Uninterruptible power supply technology remains a central focus. Manufacturers are showcasing lithium-ion battery systems with improved lifecycle characteristics and reduced footprint compared with traditional valve- regulated lead-acid units. Engineers attending the show will be keen to interrogate claims around thermal stability, discharge performance
and total cost of ownership, particularly in facilities where uptime targets approach Tier III and Tier IV expectations.
Energy efficiency is no longer an optional extra; it is a commercial and regulatory imperative. The UK’s legally binding Net Zero commitments and rising electricity costs have forced operators to scrutinise power usage effectiveness and overall site design. Seminar sessions at ExCeL London are set to explore high-efficiency transformer selection, harmonic mitigation strategies and the integration of on-site renewables. While grid connection remains the primary supply route, interest is growing in private wire arrangements, battery energy storage systems and demand-side response participation. Resilience extends beyond hardware. Cyber security for operational technology is climbing the agenda, especially as facilities adopt more connected sensors and remote management platforms. Data Centre World’s conference tracks include discussions on securing supervisory control and data acquisition systems, managing firmware updates and ensuring that remote access does not create unacceptable risk. For electrical professionals responsible for critical power systems, understanding these vulnerabilities is becoming as important as calculating fault levels.
A notable theme this year is the regionalisation of capacity. London and the South East continue to dominate the UK market, yet grid constraints and land availability are prompting development in other parts of the country. Engineers attending from Scotland, the Midlands and the North of England will find case studies addressing brownfield redevelopment, substation upgrades and collaboration with distribution network operators. These projects
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often require creative design to balance capital expenditure with future scalability. Sustainability claims will also face scrutiny. Embodied carbon in electrical infrastructure is under examination, from cable manufacturing to transformer core materials. Suppliers are presenting environmental product declarations and offering take-back schemes for end-of-life equipment. The exhibition floor provides an opportunity to question vendors directly about sourcing, recyclability and long-term support. Training and skills form another strand of the discussion. The pace of technological change means that traditional electrical apprenticeships may not fully prepare technicians for hyperscale environments. Panel sessions are addressing collaboration between industry and further education providers, alongside initiatives aimed at attracting a more diverse workforce into engineering roles. As facilities become more automated, competence in data analytics and software tools is increasingly valuable. For readers of EE, the value of attending lies in exposure to practical solutions and candid debate. Whether evaluating next-generation UPS platforms, exploring advanced monitoring systems or assessing the feasibility of low-carbon standby generation, engineers will find a concentrated forum for professional development.
As media partner, Electrical Engineering Magazine will be reporting from the exhibition floor, sharing technical highlights and expert perspectives with our readership. For engineers tasked with delivering resilient, efficient and future-ready facilities, it remains an essential date in the calendar.
https://www.techshowlondon.co.uk electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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