Data Center Industry Rallies to Support Brazil Flood Victims
Telcos and data center operators in Brazil have stepped up to assist in the aftermath of one of the worst floods to hit the country in 80 years. The devastating floods swept through the south Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, leaving over 100 people dead and thousands homeless since late April.
The disaster has not only taken a toll on the local communities but has also severely impacted data and telecommunications services across the region. Scala Data Centers, one of the leading data center operators in Brazil, made the decision to temporarily suspend operations at its SPOAPA01 data center in Porto Alegre due to ongoing safety concerns.
In response to the crisis, Scala Data Centers announced its commitment to support the reconstruction efforts in the affected areas by providing essentials such as drinking water, food baskets, and assistance in infrastructure recovery. On the other hand, Elea Digital Data Centers confirmed that its Porto Alegre data center remains fully operational and is currently assisting in supporting critical community services amidst the crisis.
While the situation remains dire in the region, mobile operators have taken steps to help by opening up their networks for roaming and even providing free internet services to customers in the affected areas. Latin American business information site BN Americas reported that customers of any operator in areas with limited connectivity can now access the network for free.
Aside from impacting population centers in Rio Grande do Sul, the floods have also affected neighboring Uruguayan cities such as Treinta y Tres, Paysandú, Cerro Largo, and Salto. With more heavy rain expected in the coming days, the recovery efforts in the region remain a top priority for all involved.
Industry Optimism Prevails in Data Center Market Outlook
In a surprising turn of events, data centers have taken center stage in the commercial real estate industry’s market outlook for 2024. The annual Real Estate State of the Market Survey by DLA Piper reveals a shift in sentiment among CRE leaders, with 37% expressing bullish views compared to the 86% bearish sentiment observed in the previous year.
The survey highlights data centers as the most attractive asset class, with 53% of respondents favoring them, reflecting a significant increase from the previous year. The surge in demand for data center development is attributed to the exponential growth in AI technologies, driving the need for increased processing and computing capacity.
John Sullivan, the US chair of DLA Piper’s Real Estate Practice, noted that data center development is expanding beyond traditional markets into rural areas and central cities, with access to power being a critical factor in location choices.
New Data Center Developments on the Horizon
In the realm of real estate development, several new data center projects have been announced recently. Meta Platforms revealed plans to build an $800 million data center facility in Montgomery, Alabama, aimed at supporting 100 jobs and bolstering the company’s existing presence in the state.
Meanwhile, T5 Data Centers announced an expansion of its footprint in Illinois with a new data center campus in Grayslake that will support up to 480 MW of critical IT capacity. In Virginia, Tract has acquired 1,200 acres of land in Hanover County to develop hyperscale data center campuses with up to 2.4 GW of power capacity.
US General Services Administration Auctions Off Cheyenne Supercomputer
In other news, the US General Services Administration recently closed an auction for the decommissioned Cheyenne Supercomputer in Wyoming. The supercomputer, which was once ranked as the 20th most powerful in the world, was sold to an anonymous bidder for $480,085.
Despite facing maintenance limitations due to faulty quick disconnects causing water spray, the Cheyenne Supercomputer continues to attract interest from buyers looking to acquire a piece of technological history.
Other Industry Insights and Great Reads
In addition to the latest developments in the data center industry, Data Center Knowledge offers a range of insightful articles for industry professionals to delve into. From discussions on nuclear-powered data centers and harnessing waste heat for efficiency to updates on AI and hybrid cloud solutions, there is a wealth of knowledge to explore on the platform.
As the data center industry continues to evolve, stay tuned to Data Center Knowledge for the latest news, trends, and insights shaping the future of data centers worldwide.
In a recent data center news roundup, industry professionals are mobilizing to aid in the recovery efforts following devastating floods in Brazil. This demonstrates the importance of data centers in disaster recovery and the role they play in supporting communities in times of crisis. With data centers located in Alabama, Florida, Virginia, Texas, and Tennessee, the industry is well positioned to provide critical support and resources to those in need. Stay updated on the latest developments in the data center industry by visiting Data Center Knowledge.