Data centres must provide continuous digital operations while controlling energy use and managing increasingly complex infrastructure. Smart data centre technology combines monitoring, automation, resilient power distribution, efficient cooling and energy analysis to help operators manage these demands.
What are smart data centres?
A smart data centre uses connected systems to monitor, analyse and control aspects such as power, cooling, air conditioning and facility performance.
SCADA, DCIM and factory automation solutions collect operational data, display it clearly and generate alerts when equipment performance changes. Mitsubishi Electric’s solutions cover monitoring, air conditioning reliability and efficiency, energy-saving support and power distribution.
The evolution of Data Centres in the digital age
Data centres now depend on the coordinated operation of power, cooling, control and monitoring systems. A failure affecting a chiller, controller or power distribution component can influence the wider facility. Modern infrastructure therefore focuses on continuous monitoring, redundant control, stable power distribution, early fault detection and preventive maintenance.
How is digital infrastructure automation transforming Data Centre operations?
Digital infrastructure automation allows operators to monitor equipment continuously instead of relying only on periodic inspections.
DCIM and SCADA systems can display trends, generate alarms, produce reports and support remote monitoring. They can help teams track energy consumption, review Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), identify abnormal conditions and analyse equipment performance.
GENESIS64™, for example, supports graphical visualisation, data analysis, alarms and reports that can be exported in formats including Excel®, HTML and PDF.
Key technologies driving the future of smart Data Centres
Smart data centres depend on integrated technologies that enhance performance, resilience, and energy efficiency.
Monitoring and DCIM:
ICONICS DCIM, based on GENESIS64™, delivers 2D and 3D visualisation, data collection, analytics, operational logs, and user access management.
Supports PUE monitoring and energy consumption analysis.
Redundant control systems:
The MELSEC iQ-R series enables redundant monitoring and controller networks for critical equipment, including chillers.
Tool-less online module replacement allows maintenance without interrupting operations.
Optical fibre tracking cables can physically separate primary and backup systems by up to 550 metres.
Switchover times can be reduced to 10 milliseconds or less.
Energy measurement and analysis:
Energy-saving devices measure current, voltage, power, energy usage, and leakage current.
EcoAdviser provides energy analysis capabilities.
EcoWebServerIII collects and presents data through web-based visualisations.
EcoMonitorPlus allows measurement points to be configured according to specific application requirements.
The role of AI, machine learning and automation in modern Data Centres
AI and machine learning may support the analysis of data collected from infrastructure. Their value depends on the quality and availability of that data.
Centralised data collection, historical records, visualisation and alarms provide a foundation for advanced analysis. Automation can notify operators when a fault occurs or when values approach a defined service quality threshold.
Smart Data Centre technology and intelligent infrastructure management
Power, cooling and monitoring should be managed as connected parts of one infrastructure.
The FREQROL inverter series supports pump and fan control. Automatic tuning and excitation control can improve motor efficiency and reduce motor losses.
Mitsubishi Electric also provides power distribution equipment, including the WS-V/WS Series and AE-SW Series. These products support compact installation, high switching durability and communication with networks such as CC-Link and MODBUS®.
Benefits and challenges of next-generation Data Centres
Smart infrastructure can help data centre operators improve efficiency, resilience, and visibility across critical systems. To maximise value, implementation should focus on clear operational goals and seamless integration.
Area
Key considerations
Operational benefits
Better visibility, fault detection, preventive maintenance and energy management
System resilience
Redundant systems help maintain critical operations during failures
Data-driven maintenance
Historical data suports condition-based maintenance decisions
Implementation requirements
Focus on compatibility, data quality, security and integration
Workforce readiness
Staff training helps ensure effective adoption
Project approach
Start with specific challenge, such as cooling, power, energy or visibility
Future trends shaping digital infrastructure automation
The future of smart data centres will involve closer integration between monitoring, control and energy management.
Remote monitoring, historical equipment data, preventive maintenance and energy analysis will become increasingly important. Open communication protocols, including BACnet®, CC-Link and MODBUS®, can help connect equipment within a wider automation environment.
How businesses can prepare for the future of Data Centres
Businesses should identify critical equipment, single points of failure, energy measurement requirements and gaps in their current alarm and reporting processes. They should also assess whether redundant control is required and how new equipment will connect to existing systems.
A data centre becomes smarter when operational data, resilient control, efficient equipment and informed maintenance work together.
Mitsubishi Electric provides solutions for data centre infrastructure covering monitoring, air conditioning reliability and efficiency, energy-saving support, and power distribution. These systems can form part of a broader approach to automation in the power generation industry.
FAQ section
What are smart data centres?
Smart data centres use connected monitoring, control and automation systems to manage infrastructure such as power distribution, cooling and environmental systems. They provide operators with data, visualisation and alerts that support faster decisions.
What is digital infrastructure automation?
Digital infrastructure automation is the use of connected equipment and software to monitor, control and analyse infrastructure operations. In a data centre, this may include automated reporting, alarms, remote monitoring and equipment control.
How does smart data centre technology work?
It collects data from equipment and presents it through monitoring, SCADA or DCIM systems. Operators can review trends, receive alarms, analyse performance and support maintenance decisions.
Which technologies are shaping the future of data centres?
Key technologies include DCIM and SCADA platforms, redundant controllers, energy measurement systems, efficient inverter control, remote monitoring and connected power distribution equipment.
How does AI improve data centre operations?
AI can support the analysis of operational data and help identify unusual patterns or potential equipment issues. Its usefulness depends on the quality of the data collected from the infrastructure.
What are the benefits of automated data centre infrastructure?
Benefits include improved visibility, faster fault detection, support for preventive maintenance, more efficient energy management and greater resilience of critical control systems.
How do smart data centres support business growth?
They help businesses manage increasingly complex infrastructure while maintaining visibility over performance, energy use and equipment condition. Flexible and connected systems can also support future expansion.
What is the future of digital infrastructure?
The future will involve closer integration between power, cooling, monitoring, automation and energy analysis. Data-driven maintenance and remote facility management will become increasingly important.
