Navigating the Future: Key Trends in Data Center Infrastructure from the 7x24 Exchange Spring Conference
- Mainstay Engineering Group, Inc.
- Jun 18
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 8
The data center industry is in a constant state of evolution, driven by ever-increasing demands for processing power, data storage, and connectivity. Having just returned from the 7x24 Exchange 2025 Spring Conference in Orlando, Florida, the Mainstay Engineering team is invigorated by the insights shared and the palpable energy surrounding the future of data center facility infrastructure. For data center owners, developers, construction professionals, and anyone involved in designing and building these mission-critical facilities, understanding these evolving trends is a necessity for strategic planning and sustainable growth.
At Mainstay Engineering, our commitment to providing cutting-edge civil and structural engineering solutions for mission-critical facilities means we continually analyze the landscape to ensure our clients are building for tomorrow, not just today. Here are some of the most significant trends that emerged from the conference, highlighting where the industry is headed and the robustness of engineering at its core.
1. The AI Revolution: Driving Unprecedented Power and Cooling Demands
Undoubtedly, the most dominant theme at the conference was the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on data center design and operation. AI workloads, particularly generative AI, demand significantly more power and generate substantially more heat than traditional IT loads. This translates into:
Soaring Rack Densities: We're seeing a clear shift towards higher density racks, pushing average rack power from historical averages of 5-8 kW to new territories, with some facilities now designing for 30 kW and beyond. This isn't just about adding more servers; it's about optimizing every square foot for maximum computational output.
The Rise of Liquid Cooling: Air cooling, while still prevalent, is becoming less effective for these extreme heat loads. The global data center liquid cooling market was estimated at USD 5.38 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 17.77 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21.6% from 2025 to 2030. Direct liquid cooling dominated the market with a revenue share of over 68.0% in 2024. (Grand View Research, 2024). Water's superior heat absorption capacity (up to 3,000 times that of air) makes it a critical component for managing the thermal challenges of AI. This trend necessitates careful consideration of piping, containment, and structural support for new and retrofit liquid cooling systems.
Power Infrastructure Reinforcement: The increased power draw of AI means utilities, substations, and internal electrical distribution systems must be robustly designed and scalable. Discussions around alternative power generation and microgrids were frequent, emphasizing the need for reliable and sustainable energy sources.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a scalable solution for meeting massive energy demands while advancing decarbonization goals. Major tech companies are investing in SMRs to ensure reliable, sustainable power. According to JLL, 2025 will see SMR announcements double, reflecting the sector’s commitment to alternative energy solutions.
Mainstay's Take: The structural implications of higher density and liquid cooling are significant. Our civil and structural expertise is crucial in designing the site, superstructure, and foundations to support heavier rack loads and integrate liquid cooling infrastructure seamlessly. And ensuring that building envelopes can accommodate advanced thermal management systems.
2. Sustainability Takes Center Stage: Beyond PUE
While Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) remains a key metric, the conversation around sustainability has broadened considerably. Data center operators are increasingly focused on their environmental footprint and social responsibility, and are seeking comprehensive green solutions. Key aspects discussed included:
Renewable Energy Integration: A strong emphasis was placed on incorporating renewable energy sources (solar, wind) and exploring strategies for grid independence and resilience.
Water Conservation: As liquid cooling continues to gain traction, efficient water usage (Water Usage Effectiveness - WUE) is becoming a critical consideration. Technologies for water recycling and optimized cooling tower operations were hot topics.
Heat Reuse: Innovative approaches to repurpose the waste heat generated by data centers for other applications, such as district heating or agricultural uses, are gaining momentum.
Sustainable Materials and Construction: Discussions extended to the use of low-carbon concrete, recycled steel, and reflective roofing materials to minimize the embodied carbon of data center facilities.
Mainstay's Take: Our commitment to sustainable design is deeply embedded in our approach. We leverage our civil engineering expertise to design efficient stormwater management systems, optimize site grading for minimal environmental impact, and facilitate the integration of renewable energy infrastructure. Structurally, we prioritize durable, resilient, and environmentally conscious materials to support long-term sustainable operations.
3. Modular and Edge Computing: Speed and Scalability Remain Paramount
The demand for rapid deployment and scalable infrastructure continues to drive innovation in modular data center solutions and the expansion of edge computing.
Modular Construction Advantages: Prefabricated modular units can significantly accelerate deployment times (often 2-3 times faster than traditional builds) by allowing for off-site construction and concurrent site work. This "plug-and-play" flexibility enables businesses to scale capacity as needed, reducing initial capital expenditure and time to market.
Edge Computing's Growing Footprint: With the proliferation of IoT devices and real-time data processing needs, edge data centers are becoming increasingly vital. These smaller, decentralized facilities are strategically located closer to data sources and end-users, reducing latency and network traffic.
Mainstay's Take: The success of modular and edge deployments relies heavily on meticulous civil and structural planning. We provide expert guidance on site selection, foundation design for pre-fabricated modules, and ensuring the structural integrity of these distributed facilities, often in diverse and challenging environments. Our ability to provide rapid, adaptable designs is critical in this fast-paced segment of the industry.
4. Resiliency and Security: The Unchanging Pillars
While new trends emerge, the fundamental importance of resiliency and security remains non-negotiable.
Enhanced Physical Security: With sensitive data at stake, robust physical security measures, including advanced access controls, perimeter security, and structural hardening, continue to be paramount.
Redundancy and Uptime: Redundant power, cooling, and network infrastructure, backed by resilient structural designs, are crucial to achieving maximum uptime for the necessary continuous operation.
Cybersecurity Integration: The increasing sophistication of cyber threats means that physical and digital security must be inextricably linked.
Mainstay's Take: Resiliency and security are woven into every Mainstay Engineering project. Our structural designs prioritize durability and resistance to natural disasters and external threats. We engineer foundations and building elements that ensure the stability and protection of critical equipment, contributing directly to the uninterrupted operation of data center facilities.
Partnering for the Future
The 7x24 Exchange Spring Conference reinforced that the data center industry is at an exciting, yet challenging, inflection point. The convergence of AI, sustainability initiatives, social responsibility, and the need for speed and scalability presents complex engineering challenges.
At Mainstay Engineering, we are uniquely positioned to address these challenges. Our deep understanding of civil and structural engineering principles, combined with our extensive experience in mission-critical facilities, allows us to provide innovative, reliable, and sustainable solutions. Whether you are planning a new hyperscale facility, expanding an existing data center for AI integration, or deploying edge computing infrastructure, our team has the knowledge and expertise to help you build the data centers of tomorrow.
Contact Mainstay Engineering today to discuss how our civil and structural engineering solutions can support your next data center project.
Mainstay Engineering Group, Inc. is a proud member of 7x24 Exchange International’s Greater Philadelphia and Carolinas Chapters.