Mexico. A fundamental element in the development and growth of data centers is and will be artificial intelligence, which will require specific conditions for information management, energy use and specific conflict resolution, said Enrique Chávez, director of Critical Energy and Digital Infrastructure in Mexico at Eaton.
"Artificial intelligence goes across the board. It's the management of a lot of data. They are always generated and we already have very large databases. It is how this information is managed in an appropriate way so that it gives results that make sense. Many companies are already using it to see market trends, how to perform better from a logistical point of view, or to do tests. For example, destructive physical tests no longer have to be done, it can be simulated in a virtual way through artificial intelligence. Have the results as if they had been destroyed, which leads to higher levels of efficiency and at the same time lower investment costs. I think we are in the initial steps," he told AVI Latin America after the presentation of the Summit Data Center 2024 in Mexico City.
The executive of Eaton, a diversified energy management company, considered that one of the determining aspects for the use of artificial intelligence will be the use of energy. "We see a very large growth from the point of view of energy consumption. We need to continue growing as a society through the implementation of artificial intelligence in viable areas, and, on the other hand, lower our consumption and have less impact on the environment, because artificial intelligence requires more energy."
And he mentioned that the company has developments in the area. "There are solutions that we can help them manage through the interaction of microgrids in which we already integrate renewable sources, as well as energy reserves. To be able to support them as Eaton through infrastructure that they already have, such as other power backup equipment, and take them to the next level by offering the support of being able to solve a situation of a power grid shutdown, so that the equipment continues to operate without failing."
Regarding the growth of the sector, Chávez said: "The data center business is increasing, in Latin America obviously the main ones are in Mexico and Brazil, but also in Argentina, Chile and Colombia. There are smaller economies that also have a need and let's remember that there are security issues that have to do with the information data that cannot leave the countries. For this reason, there is a need to create data centers locally, so that this information stays hosted and does not go to the large operators that are in the world."
He said that this is positioning Mexico as a major player in the market: "The geographical position in Mexico helps a lot, we are in the center of the region, it also lends itself to a large transit of information, in addition to Mexico's own need. We have identified that there are areas here in Mexico, the main one is Querétaro, where there are very large investments and growth in data centers, to provide services and available infrastructure. But the poles of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey are also growing."
Text written by Vlad Martínez for AVI Latin America.
