In this blog, we are going to explore Data in more detail. Everytime to visit Facebook, Tiktok or your email, you consume Data. That Data needs to be stored. If you are using a “cloud” based product like Facebook, you are using a Data Center. We explore the purpose of the Data Center. We will assess the energy it consumes and what the future holds for the Data Center sector. While exploring Data Center recruitment and job opportunities. What recruitment is needed for a Data Center today and how you can prepare yourself for Recruitment in a Data Center for the future. Please do like and comment your thoughts.

If you are of a certain age, you will remember that IT was a box that sat under your desk and a room at the bottom of the hall that was so hot you could barely breath. The room was stuffed with big computers and millions of wires and we didn’t really know what it was for (well the IT folks knew). In simple terms those large computers stored all the data the business was creating and connected the business to the outside world. Businesses all over the world had this type of set up.

Over the last 20 years hyperscale Data Centres have emerged, services such as AWS, Azure, IBM cloud etc have come of age. They are putting those servers into a secure facility, they are much more resilient and efficient way a business can manage the data & connectivity for businesses instead of the company having a hot box with no air, in a locked-up vault like room! That in itself has had a huge impact on our carbon output (believe it or not). Instead of each company having a large energy consumption, that same energy requirement has shifted to larger more energy conscious buildings.

How are Data Centres more Power efficient today?

Highly efficient and centralised, there are 80 data Centres in Ireland, 60-70 companies behind them. Not just the larger companies mentioned above. Data Centres are a positive trend and technology that has emerged over the last 20 years. We shouldn’t think of them as an energy drain.

These facilities have teams of people looking for ways to bring efficiencies, newer technology to keep energy consumption down. Some of the brightest Electrical and Mechanical minds are working day in day on asking themselves, have they the right cooling systems, what is happening to the heat that is being generated to name a few. Are the chips they are using optimised for power.

Power consumption of a semi-conductor chip (like Intel, Nvidia, AMD etc) has reduced by over 90% over the last 20 years and each chip is the same again more powerful. If you take the latest chips that is being developed by Nvidia to power AI based products. The Blackwell B200 GPU is designed for AI and data centre applications, with shared aspects between consumer and data centre GPUs architecture. It’s a little like comparing a modern Ferrari to an old bicycle. The first Intel chips for example, like the 4004 from 1971 which essentially powered a calculator, were ground-breaking for their time but were very basic compared to today’s technology.

In terms of power consumption, the evolution from the Intel 4004 in 1971 to NVIDIA’s Blackwell B200 in 2024 showcases an astonishing leap in technology. The 4004, with its 60,000 operations per second- and 0.5-watts power consumption, was a marvel for calculators. Fast forward to Blackwell, delivering 20 quadrillion operations per second at up to 1200 watts, designed for high-performance AI tasks. Blackwell is 333,333,333 times more powerful and uses 2400 times more power, demonstrating significant advancements in computational power and efficiency.

But given the 333,333,333 times increase in computing power, it’s a fair trade-off. Modern chips are power-hungry because they deliver an astronomical leap in performance and capabilities. Efficiency has improved leaps and bounds even as consumption has gone up. Mind-boggling, isn’t it?

If everyone tried to so it themselves like in the past, in their own computer room. Again, its fair to say energy consumption would be far higher. They simply wouldn’t have the resources of knowledge like a Data Centre Operations team.

 What’s the benefit for Ireland Inc to having Data Centres?

Data Centres don’t need a lot of people to run them. So, what’s the benefit?

  1. Construction Phase – Hires lots of people
  2. Data Centre innovation – Intel, AMD, Nvidia are driving huge change
  3. Service’s – A Micro economy has been created around the capability of this infrastructure. Elwood Roberts is uniquely placed and work closely with this business that do hire high paying highly skilled jobs. Generally, these businesses build the large language models

Will these benefits detour the protests from those thinking that Data Centres are using all the countries energy?

If these groups get there way and we pull down the shutters, what happens? Firstly, the businesses that are set up in Ireland will go to where Data Centres are being built. We are seeing this at the moment with the likes of Google, Apple and AWS building new Data Centres in places like UK, Spain, Germany etc. When a business moves, so do jobs! The knock-on effect of that may not worry the protesters, but will worry the many families affected.

The IP will move and be created elsewhere, that IP needs to be developed, again it’s a big risk.

Ireland is in such a privileged position, we boast the likes of Google, AWS, Meta as customers and large employers and tax payers to Ireland economy. If policy is not in place to help them expand in a way they need to, in order to keep up with their demand. They will find jurisdictions that will.

Some Politicians have voiced their opinions on energy consumption. For examples figures published by the Central Statics Office of Ireland in July 2024 show the continued exponential growth in power consumption by data centres. They now consume 21% of our electricity supply, up from 5% in 2015.

This is a massive increase, but guess what? Our data consumption is far higher (Reference Article here). What some politicians fail to recognise is why! Let me explain. Firstly, let’s assess the power difference from 2015 to 2024. According to Statista In 2015, global data consumption was around 2 zettabytes1. By 2024, it had grown to approximately 180 zettabytes1. This represents a 9,000% increase in data consumption over the nine-year period. I am comparing global data consumption, not Irish Data consumption.

Data Usage Surge: Projections Show 5G Growth and Rising Machine-to-Machine Connections by 2028.

The number of mobile broadband connections in Ireland is projected to grow at a rate of about 5% per year through 2028. With better AI capabilities on phones such as Apple Intelligence and AI on Android this could be a lot higher. This increase is driven by a growing population and greater reliance on mobile networks for home broadband as 5G capabilities improve. By 2028, these connections are expected to approach nearly half a million.

Connections in the machine-to-machine (M2M) category, utilized in smart devices like meters and medical equipment, are anticipated to expand by 9% annually through 2028, with a notable surge this year as smart meter rollouts finalize. Again, with the growing AI space, these figures could

Data consumption per mobile device has also seen significant growth, climbing from around 50 GB annually in 2017 to more than 200 GB recently. This usage is forecasted to increase further, reaching about 440 GB per device by 2028.

Data centres will thus need to scale both physical and operational capabilities to support this growth in connectivity and data. Investments in efficient infrastructure, high-speed network capabilities, and cybersecurity measures are essential to keep up with the demands driven by the projected data surge.

For further details on these statistics and trends, you can refer to sources such as the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and Datareportal, which provide comprehensive insights into the telecommunications landscape in Ireland.

Targeted Data Center Recruitment: Meeting the Demand for Specialized Talent in Key Global Hubs

Data Center recruitment is a highly specialized field with a niche but essential demand, especially in cities with robust data center clusters like Dublin, Frankfurt, Virginia and Singapore. Data centres require specific technical skills and certifications, from DCIM to cloud computing and network security, making the recruitment process more complex than in other industries. For hiring managers, the challenge lies in finding qualified professionals who can meet both technical requirements and operational demands in a fast-evolving sector. Many of these managers benefit from specialized recruitment insights that align with the intricate technical requirements and rapid growth of the industry, as outlined in our Insights on Recruitment Strategies. Access to these insights helps hiring managers build skilled teams to keep data centers resilient, efficient, and secure. This focused approach not only draws in qualified candidates but also positions companies strategically within these high-demand cities.

Elwood Roberts has numerous on-going requirements for people. Check our lives jobs here.

Latest Data Center Skills and Certificates you should consider?

Data center skills and certifications are vital for professionals seeking to excel in today’s complex data-driven landscape. The rapid growth in cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity has led to high demand for expertise in areas like network security, predictive analytics, and data center infrastructure management (DCIM). In order to meet Data Center Recruitment requirements. We would recommend looking into these certificates.

Certifications to consider:

  1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect,
  2. CompTIA Data+, and
  3. Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect

These Data Center certs validate these skills and are recognized by employers as key indicators of technical proficiency and commitment to continuous learning. These credentials not only help professionals stand out in a competitive field but also equip them with the skills required to manage modern, high-performance data centers effectively. For easy access to these certifications and other data center-related courses, platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and edX offer tailored programs that cover everything from foundational data center management to advanced cloud security.

Top In-Demand Data Center Skills: AI-Driven Security, Predictive Analytics, and Advanced Network Security

In-demand skills for data centers recruitment are evolving rapidly as the industry faces new challenges in cybersecurity, data management, and efficiency. Key skills like AI-driven security, predictive analytics and advanced network security are now critical as data centers aim to protect against cyber threats while maintaining seamless operations. Recruitment in these sectors is difficult.

For instance, AI-driven security enables data centers to identify potential threats proactively by analyzing patterns in real-time, allowing for immediate response and enhanced protection. Predictive analytics goes a step further, enabling data centers to anticipate equipment needs and optimize energy use, thus improving both performance and sustainability.

Network security, meanwhile, remains foundational, as it safeguards against breaches that could compromise sensitive data.

With these demands, hiring managers are prioritizing candidates who bring not only technical expertise but also a proactive approach to data center management. For those looking to stay competitive, building skills in AI, data analysis, and cloud integration is essential. More insights on cultivating these sought-after skills can be found on Elwood Roberts’ Insights, and additional resources from industry experts, such as Data Center Knowledge, offer further guidance on the technical proficiencies shaping today’s data center workforce.

Data Centers still have a need for operational specialists, advanced technology in power, cooling within the building services recruitment space has also never seen so much demand. Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in particular are highly sought after in data centers.

10 reasons Data Centres play such an important role in our society and for our future. 

  1. Facebook Usage: As of September 2024.  There are approximately 4.06 million Facebook users in Ireland.  Which represents about 79.3% of the country’s population​
  2. Google’s Dominance: Google holds a substantial market share in Ireland. Around 92% of all search queries are conducted through its platform. This makes Google the most dominant search engine in the country​.
  3. Data Center Growth: Ireland is home to about 60 data centers, with major tech companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook owning 26 of these. Which collectively account for 77% of the nation’s data center storage capacity​.
  4. Data Traffic: Internet traffic in Ireland has surged significantly. With a notable increase in data center activity driven by the growing need for cloud services and online storage solutions​.
  5. Mobile Phone Users: There are approximately 6 million mobile phone subscribers in Ireland. This indicates a robust mobile network that supports the increasing demand for data and connectivity.​
  6. Investment in Data Centers: Ireland’s data center industry is set to attract around €6.7 billion in investment between 2020 and 2025. This reflects a strong confidence in the sector’s growth​. That has stalled, but critical Ireland Inc continues.
  7. Data Consumption Trends: Irish mobile data usage has skyrocketed. Users now consume an average of 200GB of mobile data last year, and forecasts predicting this will rise to 440GB by 2028​.
  8. Tech Employment: The tech sector employs over 100,000 people in Ireland and growing. This figure continues to rise as data centers expand and more companies establish their European bases in the country​.
  9. Smart Meter Rollout: The roll-out of smart meters is contributing to the growth of machine-to-machine connections. Which are expected to increase by 9% annually until 2028, reflecting the demand for connected devices​. These meters will also help the Irish government monitor electricity usage and plan accordingly. Not, moan when energy consumption increases which it will.
  10. Online Presence: Around 85% of Irish businesses now have a website. This indicats a significant shift towards digital operations and the importance of data in driving business success​.

What is the future for Data Centers?

When you take into consideration the huge growing demand for data. In the last few months, Larry Ellison of Oracle mentioned they are undertaking an ambitious expansion plan to establish 100 new data centers globally. This significantly will increasing its cloud infrastructure. This initiative is purely to meet demand of Oracle’s cloud services. Countries such as Japan, Italy, and Saudi Arabia will be the main beneficiaries of this expansion.

Oracle are not alone in their huge Data Centre expansion. The likes of AWS, Meta, Microsoft and Google are spending huge amounts of money to improve their infrastructure due to demand. AI is playing a large part in this expansion, with the likes of Nvidia a major supplier of graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence (AI) computing solutions. Which power applications in gaming, data centers, and AI-driven industries.

What is the Future of Data Centers in Ireland?

The average number of connected devices per person is climbing due to the increasing popularity of smart home technology, smartphones, and other IoT (Internet of Things) devices. More than 83% of internet users engage with at least one internet-connected device or system at home, such as smart TVs, voice assistants, or security systems. Additionally, smart devices for personal health and home energy management are also seeing greater use. On average, Irish households have multiple connected devices, especially in homes with children, where usage of connected home entertainment is nearly universal. As the next generation grows up and the older generations dies, this usage is going to dramatically increase.

Take Elon Musk for example. We all know he talks a huge amount of rubbish, or assesses things that seem a little far-fetched. Only recently he estimates by 2040, there will be over 10 billion robots assisting us with our everyday tasks like cleaning etc. Think of the data that will gather and use.

We will soon come home to AI based cookers, fridges, automated shopping services to mention a few. Data Centres will fuel this growth. With growth comes Data Center recruitment opportunities.

How will we power the Data Center of the future?

Power generation remains a global concern. As evidence of climate change continues to show its effects. Finding clean energy is on the minds of some of the brightest people in the sector. While researching this blog. I came across a few that could offer solutions to the requirements of the future.

Here are 7 Power solutions that are in development today that could be critical for our future:

  1. Green Hydrogen Power

    Hydrogen fuel cells are emerging as a viable zero-emission alternative for backup power and continuous power generation in data centers and other industries. Hydrogen is increasingly produced from renewable sources (“green hydrogen”), making it a sustainable option for reducing carbon emissions. Companies like Microsoft are piloting hydrogen fuel cells to replace diesel generators​

  2. Solid-State and Sodium-Ion Batteries

    Solid-state batteries, which replace the liquid electrolyte with a solid one, offer higher energy densities, are more stable, and have a longer lifespan than traditional lithium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries, another alternative, are cheaper and more abundant, making them ideal for large-scale energy storage applications.

  3. Fusion Energy

    Fusion energy, while still experimental, promises to provide a powerful, clean, and virtually limitless source of energy. Companies such as TAE Technologies and ITER are working on making fusion a practical energy source, which could transform global energy production once commercialized.

  4. Energy as a Service (EaaS)

    This model provides an alternative to traditional power generation by allowing companies to outsource energy needs to providers who handle everything from sourcing to maintenance, including renewable energy. EaaS providers use AI to optimize energy distribution based on demand, ensuring efficient use and reducing waste.

  5. Floating Wind Farms

    Offshore wind technology is expanding to deep waters. Floating wind turbines capture wind energy where traditional foundations aren’t possible. These are being deployed in regions with strong offshore winds, providing consistent and substantial power output.

  6. Quantum Dots for Solar Panels

    Quantum dots, tiny semiconductor particles, are improving solar panel efficiency. Panels with quantum dot technology can absorb a broader spectrum of sunlight. Even under low-light conditions making solar power more efficient and suitable for more regions.

  7. Microgrid Technology with AI Optimization: Microgrids, which are localized energy grids. Can operate independently or in conjunction with the main power grid. Equipped with AI, these systems analyze and predict energy demand to efficiently balance power distribution and reduce waste.

As data centers continue to expand in Ireland, hiring managers must focus on finding professionals with expertise in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and sustainability practices. A key challenge is identifying candidates with specialized skills who can navigate emerging technologies and maintain operational efficiency. Focus on recruiting adaptable talent with a mindset for innovation to stay ahead in this fast-evolving sector.

The rise in data center demand calls for companies to anticipate future talent gaps. As automation and AI influence operational strategies, HR professionals should prioritize upskilling their workforce. Engaging with recruitment services that specialize in tech talent can ensure timely access to qualified candidates who fit your long-term vision.

At Elwood Roberts, we help hiring managers in the data center industry find the right talent to meet these evolving needs. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your recruitment strategy.

The future is bright for those working in the Data Center sector. There are 82 data centres in Ireland, with an additional 14 centres under construction. Planning approval has been granted for an additional 40 centres to be built before 2028. As of now, Planning Offices have said they will not grant anymore Data Centres due to power constraints within Dublin. Businesses are investing elsewhere including UK, Spain and beyond. We are talking hundreds of Data Centres that could have been built right here in Ireland.