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The rapid surge in digital consumption and the global AI revolution have placed the data centre industry at a critical environmental crossroads. This is what made the 3rd Net-Zero Data Centre Summit – Europe, which just ended in Berlin, such a defining moment for all of us. We watched leaders in the field moving beyond fuzzy marketing claims. They applied the hard engineering and data-backed solutions needed for real decarbonization. Since the electricity demand is projected to soar to twice its current level by 2030, this summit laid out the crucial path. This is for managing the rapid growth without losing sight of climate responsibility. So, let us go through its quick recap.

Sessions: 3rd Net-Zero Data Centre Summit – Europe

The summit’s sessions led by experts were jam-packed with technical engineering and culture-shifting information. Leaders representing all sectors shared their real-world experiences to support others on the challenging road to zero emissions. This section covers the core insights from each speaker’s presentation:

Flying Blind: Why Datacenter Sustainability Needs Real Data, Not Marketing Claims

Speaker: Matthias HAYMOZ, Project Manager, SDEA

We really need to stop guessing about carbon. That’s why this conversation was about moving beyond piecemeal metrics that don’t capture the full story. The speaker said our industry could grow its emissions to 2.5 billion tons by 2030. Hence, we need to use real data to keep our credibility. Additionally, it turns out that better measurement is not merely for show. It helps reduce costs, and it actually gives us a real competitive advantage.

The role of Life Cycle Analysis in Sustainable Data Centers

Speaker: Anita GOYAL-EAMES, Director of Sustainability, STACK Infrastructure

The speaker walked us through what a life cycle assessment actually is and why it matters so much for the future of our facilities. Furthermore, we learned that we can’t just look at energy use while the building is in operation. We have to consider the “embodied carbon” in making and installing the materials in the first place. Also, it’s through these assessments early in the process that we can make better design decisions. This is to reduce the overall environmental impact of all our construction.

Solving the Grid Bottleneck: A Net-Zero Power Strategy for Data Centers

Speaker: Tamer TURNA, Managing Director – Data Center Solutions, 2G Energy AG

It is no secret that getting power from the grid is getting harder every day. So, this session focused on new strategies to fix that bottleneck. The speaker showed us how we can use on-site power generation to keep growing. This is even when the local utility can’t give us more capacity. Additionally, this kind of net-zero power strategy is exactly what was needed at the 3rd Net-Zero Data Centre Summit – Europe. It helps us stay resilient.

Managing water in data centers: real-time leak detection and intelligent monitoring

Speaker: Dorian APPELDOORN, CTO, Cadis

Water is a frequently overlooked piece of the sustainability puzzle, but this talk demonstrated how real-time monitoring can save massive amounts of it. We were shown how smart sensors detect minuscule leaks before they become catastrophes, which keeps our buildings safe and our bills low. Moreover, we saw that using these smart algorithms is a simple way to hit BREEAM standards and prove we are being responsible.

Data Center heat-re-use: A design-thinking approach

Speaker: Ulrich WEPPNER, Technology Engineer, Trane

The speaker introduced a really interesting way to look at all that extra heat we produce, suggesting we should treat it as a resource rather than waste. By using a design-thinking approach, we can build facilities that actually give back to the local community by heating nearby homes or offices. So, this session proved that if we plan for heat reuse from the very start, it becomes much easier and cheaper to do.

Speaker: Peter RADGEN,  Chair of Energy Efficiency at The Institute of Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use, University of Stuttgart

As cooling tech changes, the way we use waste heat has to change, too, and the speaker gave us a technical breakdown of how that works. He explained that as AI makes our racks hotter, the heat we capture actually becomes higher quality and easier to move around. Additionally, we learned that picking the right cooling method is the secret to making sure we aren’t just wasting energy while keeping our servers running.

BRAINSTORMING SESSION: Europe’s influence in shaping a greener data centre future

This was a great chance for everyone at the 3rd Net-Zero Data Centre Summit – Europe to sit together and talk about how our region can lead the world. We discussed ways in which EU rules could help us innovate more quickly, rather than just being a load of forms we have to fill in. In addition, it was agreed that a new transnational collaboration would emerge, enabling an unstoppable energy to keep data centers the greenest in the world.

Faria Renewables

Speaker: Thalia VALKOUMA, President and CEO, Faria Renewables

The speaker gave us a look at how green energy projects are built from the ground up, covering everything from implementation to long-term management. We discussed that only a combination of wind and solar could provide the consistent power a data center requires to remain operational. So it was evident that in order to achieve our net-zero goals by 2030, we will need to have strong partnerships with energy firms.

Goosebumps, Glycol, and Glacier: Clever Concepts for Complex Constructions

Speakers: Daniel STÖLZLE, Business Developer; Ivan HEMMELER, Business Development Manager – Spain & Portugal, JAEGGI Hybridtechnologie AG

The presenters demonstrated some really smart solutions for dealing with cooling in challenging buildings, where space and resources are limited. They launched hybrid dry coolers, engineered to minimize consumption of water and electricity, both of which are good for the environment as well as the pocket. In addition, these ideas are for anyone seeking a green facility, but want to keep things uncomplicated and dependable for the long term.

PANEL DISCUSSION: Designing for Net-Zero: A Vision for AI-Era Data Centres

Panelists:  Anita GOYAL-EAMES, Director of Sustainability, STACK Infrastructure; Peter RADGEN, Chair of Energy Efficiency at The Institute of Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use, University of Stuttgart; Tamer TURNA, Managing Director – Data Center Solutions, 2G Energy AG; Piotr KOWALSKI, Head of Innovation, Beyond.pl; Matthias HAYMOZ, Project Manager, SDEA; Martina KIEHAS, Head of ESG, maincubes

This panel was all about how the massive rise of AI is forcing us to rethink how we design every part of a data centre. The experts discussed how we can handle much higher power densities without letting our carbon footprint spiral out of control. We also learned that the “AI-era” requires a more flexible vision where we use modular parts and smart automation. This is to keep everything running as efficiently as possible.

How European Infrastructure Drives Energy Efficiency and Net-Zero

Speaker: Francesco SELLARO, Senior Manager, Construction, Equinix

The speaker explained how the way we build infrastructure in Europe is actually helping us reach our net-zero targets faster than other regions. He shared some great lessons from large construction projects and showed how standardized designs can make every new build much more efficient. This session at the 3rd Net-Zero Data Centre Summit – Europe reminded us that every local construction choice has a huge impact on our global goals.

PANEL DISCUSSION: From Strategy to Execution – Making Sustainable Operations Work

Panelists: Uwe BRAUN, Daniel STÖLZLE, Johanna FLOOD

Having a strategy on paper is one thing, but this panel was really about the hard work of implementing those ideas in the real world. The speakers discussed the day-to-day issues facility managers confront in attempting to reduce emissions without compromising performance. They agreed that the only way to win is to have everyone, from the CEO to the engineers, united around the same plan.

Embedding Data Centres in the Energy System

Speaker: Nanuk RENNERT, Senior Consultant, Arup

The speaker suggested that we should stop thinking of data centres as just power consumers and start seeing them as part of the grid. He showed how facilities can help balance the energy system by using microgrids or storing energy to use when the grid is under pressure. Moreover, this shift in thinking is a big part of the 3rd Net-Zero Data Centre Summit – Europe, and helps make the whole energy system more stable.

FIRESIDE CHAT: From Strategy to Action: Implementing an ESG Strategy

Speaker: Martina KIEHAS, Head of ESG, maincubes

The speaker sat down to talk about how to turn a broad ESG strategy into a specific roadmap that actually gets results. She emphasized that you need every department on board, from finance to operations, if you want your decarbonization plan to stick. We also learned that a good ESG strategy isn’t just a list of rules; it’s a way to make the whole company more resilient and valuable.

Rising Above Emissions: When frameworks aren’t enough

Speaker: Helen MUNRO, Head of Environment and Sustainability, Pulsant

This was a powerful talk about why we need to look past just certifications and think about the real human impact of our industry. The speaker argued that while frameworks are helpful, they don’t capture the whole story of ecological loss that can happen behind the scenes. She urged us to lead with our values and make choices that are truly right for the planet, even if they aren’t required by a certificate.

Datacenter Power Supply – Bridging the Gap

Speaker: Uwe BRAUN, Business Development Manager, Jenbacher

The speaker talked about how we can close the gap between our current energy demands and the 100% renewable future we all want. He demonstrated how flexible electricity grids can provide a buffer. It can ensure that the lights remain on as we move toward cleaner sources. Additionally, this kind of practical thinking was essential for anyone attending the  Summit. This was especially true for leaders who wanted to keep their servers running.

ESG, compliance, and reporting for data centres

Speaker: Agnes COMTE, Sustainable IT & Eco Design Expert, Banque de France

The speaker gave us a clear update on the new laws and reporting rules that are coming for data centres across Europe. She asked if looking at just carbon emissions is enough. She went on to question if we need to start looking at “non-carbonization” factors too. So, this session gave us some great strategies for how to monitor our progress. And then report it in a way that regulators and the public will actually trust.

PANEL DISCUSSION: Navigating the path to a sustainable data centre operation

Panelists: Francesco SELLARO, Senior Manager, Construction, Equinix; Helen MUNRO, Head of Environment and Sustainability, Pulsant

So, in closing, the panelists reviewed all that we covered and discussed what that means for all of us going forward. They all agreed that the path to net-zero is certainly a long-distance one, but we have plenty of technology today to get us started. This final talk at the 3rd Net-Zero Data Centre Summit – Europe was a great reminder that we are all in this together and need to keep sharing what works.

Who Were the Sponsors For The 3rd Net-Zero Data Centre Summit – Europe

The 3rd Net-Zero Data Centre Summit – Europe was made possible with the support of leading industry partners. These companies are the innovators providing the technology know-how and financial models that enable decarbonization at scale. This part of the article goes through the main sponsors and their impact:

JAEGGI Hybridtechnologie AG – Silver Sponsor

JAEGGI Hybridtechnologie AG is based in Basel and made the hybrid dry cooler. The company stands to be a leader when it comes to hybrid cooling/condensing technology and managers, engineering, production, sales, & services internally. Additionally, this end-to-end control makes way for operational strength and consistency in the product. Meanwhile, the company benefits from belonging to the Güntner Group. It is a leading global producer of refrigeration & air conditioning components. 

FARIA Renewables – Silver Sponsor

FARIA Renewables is a Greek renewable energy firm. It is known for its dynamic & innovative role in the section. It manages the full lifecycle of green energy projects. This covers development, implementation, & ongoing management. Furthermore, the company operates in domestic/international markets. Its core pillars are sustainability, innovation, & technological excellence. Additionally, FARIA invests in photovoltaic, wind, & hybrid projects. So, this enables it to maintain a diversified & future-oriented energy portfolio. 

Trane – Bronze Sponsor

Trane, a business unit of Trane Technologies, is a global leader in climate innovation. The firm specializes in integrated building and energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sectors, including data centers. It brings together hardware excellence, software excellence, and system engineering to provide customised, scalable, and efficient solutions. Trane is further advancing decarbonization with its 2030 Sustainability Commitments and its net-zero by 2050 goal. Its teams comprise engineers, technicians, and business leaders advancing pragmatic solutions to climate.

ARUP – Bronze Sponsor

ARUP is a major British engineering and design consultancy company established in London in 1946. The employees are its sole owners, and the company is organized into over 90 offices worldwide. The firm offers consulting services in over 150 areas, including design, engineering, architecture, planning, and consulting services. ARUP has shaped world-renowned projects and is committed to low-carbon design, climate resilience, and smart city solutions, frequently in partnership with governments and NGOs.

Cadis – Bronze Sponsor

Cadis is a Belgian solution provider and manufacturer of high-quality leak detection and smart monitoring systems. The company has a proud history of over 30 years and operates as the sole distributor of Raychem TraceTek leak detection materials in the Benelux region. Furthermore, its AquaVision instruments measure water usage continuously , and they detect irregularities by applying a dependable algorithm. This insulates a building from water damage, cuts water expenses, and provides granular consumption information. Cadis develops systems according to BREEAM standards.

2G Energy AG – Bronze Sponsor

2G Energy AG is a German-listed company that started in 1995 in Heek. It is a manufacturer of combined heat and power systems and ranks among the major global players in the CHP market. The company is focused on decentralized energy production and provides solutions in the range of 20-4,500 kW. It also has 17 subsidiaries and more than 1,000 employees worldwide, serving a broad array of industries and applications.

Jenbacher – Bronze Sponsor

The INNIO Group provides energy solutions and services for sustainable industrial and community applications. It addresses the power generation and compression applications markets with its Jenbacher and Waukesha product brands. It also features data-driven monitoring and optimization through the company’s AI-based myplant platform. The company provides application-specific, flexible, and scalable system architectures to both traditional and renewable energy applications. INNIO is active in Austria, the United States, and Canada and serves an international clientele.

Eaton – Coffee Break Sponsor

Eaton is a global power management company with expertise in quality of life and sustainable environment improvements. It is guided by strong ethics and serves its customers in providing energy and power solutions for the long term. The company is concentrating on electrification and digitalization as key global megatrends. This provides Eaton with the ability to further advance renewable integration, tackle complex power management issues, and enable customers. This is to design efficient, reliable, and cost-effective IT and infrastructure solutions.

To Sum Up

Attending events like the 3rd Net-Zero Data Centre Summit – Europe is a necessary step. This especially involves any leader who wants to stay competitive in this fast-changing market. These forums provide a unique space where engineering expertise meets corporate strategy. It creates a better and greener future for all of us. Moreover, we get to see the latest technology in action. We also learn from the people who are already making these big changes work. Networking with top sponsors also gives you access to the tools you need to reach your own goals. Hence, we really encourage you to join us at the next summit.