One design, any location

As companies expand their use of AI and cloud computing services around the globe, Europe and the Middle East are experiencing their own surges in demand.

For example, Europe is currently home to approximately 1,200 dedicated data center sites¹, and the market is experiencing significant growth. According to McKinsey research, demand for data centers in Europe is expected to grow to approximately 35 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, up from 10 GW in late 2024. An estimated $250 to $300 billion of investment will be needed in data center infrastructure, excluding power generation capacity.²

In the Middle East, along with the demand for AI, cities such as Dubai and Riyadh are leading the charge with smart city initiatives such as Dubai Internet City and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. These projects require vast amounts of data processing and storage capabilities, which in turn fuel the demand for data centers. Some countries in the region are expecting AI alone to contribute up to 14% to GDP by 2030. This rapid growth requires implementation of multiple hyperscale data centers, and major global technology companies are stepping up to meet the demand.³

As the market rapidly evolves, operators must have a predictable supply chain to avoid missing contractual commitments and revenue targets, as well as any potential damage to their reputations. At Johnson Controls, we understand these pressures and provide the best available solutions to help data centers scale quickly, run efficiently, minimize the burden on natural resources, and maintain reliability in a rapidly evolving landscape.

To match demand, we continue to expand our product range and availability with new production capabilities. Recently, we launched in Europe and the Middle East the YORK® YVAM Air-cooled Magnetic Bearing Chiller, designed specifically for hyperscale and colocation data center facilities in the regions. This launch will allow data center owners to continue to further scale their operations and ensure best-in-class speed of deployment and performance.

We’re excited to partner with our European and Middle Eastern customers and bring them the benefits of this added manufacturing capacity:

• One design, any location: The YORK YVAM functions perfectly in environments from Dublin to Dubai. Depending on ambient temperatures, the solution predictably consumes between only 7-14% of the power that the IT elements use over the course of any given year. This allows for the creation of a single design, which can be implemented and operated regardless of location.
• Faster time to market: In-region manufacturing capabilities allow us to meet local deployment needs without the inefficiencies of extended delays or high shipping costs.
• Energy use & sustainability: The YORK YVAM chillers have been developed to deliver the same cooling capacity as similar available solutions, but with a 25% lower connected load rating, allowing more power to be allocated to revenue-generating IT elements. They also reduce overall power consumption (in kWh) by up to 40% when compared to similar solutions, which can drastically reduce energy usage costs over time while also making a significant contribution to sustainability initiatives.
• Water consumption and compliance: With zero water consumption, the YORK YVAM can cool where water supply is limited and also plays a key role in ensuring compliance with the new European Union policy on energy efficiency and water conservation.
• Supply chain resilience: Access to chips is a well-known issue today. However, disruption can emerge from any component of the supply chain, from cooling and power systems to networking infrastructure and the construction workforce. By regionalizing our core technology platforms such as the YORK YVAM, we can more quickly respond to market demand, minimize lead times and ultimately produce components more efficiently and sustainably.
• Reliability: Trusted for decades to serve customers’ most mission-critical processes, the YORK YVAM features Integral UPS and Quick Start, allowing for a return to full load in as little as three minutes.

You can read more about our new production capabilities in Europe here and the Middle East here.

References

1. KPMG. Data Centres in Europe, September 2024
2. McKinsey. The role of power in unlocking the European AI revolution. 2024
3. Morgan Lewis - Powering the Digital Future: The Rise of Data Centers in the Middle East