In this technical presentation, Anthony Milando and Arya Singh of TRC Companies provide an overview of the rapidly growing importance of data centers, particularly driven by increasing demand for digital services and the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. The presentation shows how data centers function as critical infrastructure supporting everyday technologies, highlights their key components (power, cooling, networking, and security), and emphasizes that nearly all consumed energy is converted into heat, making cooling systems a major efficiency opportunity. Different types of data centers are outlined, detailing their unique operational characteristics (including constant, high electrical loads and stringent reliability requirements) and evolving performance metrics such as PUE and newer standards like ASHRAE 90.4. Accelerating AI adoption will significantly increase data center energy demand and infrastructure needs, positioning data centers as a central consideration for utilities, engineers, and policymakers.
Recorded at the March 19, 2026 Energy Efficiency Stakeholder meeting.