Understanding Data Centres
The digital infrastructure behind everyday life
Everyday digital services need real infrastructure.
When you check traffic, pay for groceries, book a medical appointment, check social media, stream a show, join a video call, use online banking, or send a message, data moves behind the scenes.
That data is not floating in the sky. It is stored, processed, and delivered through physical infrastructure, including data centres.
As demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and always-on connectivity grows, data centres have become as essential to modern society as electricity, water and transport networks. Understanding what data centres are and how they work helps explain why they matter to communities, businesses and economies.
What is a data centre?
Data centres are the secure buildings that help keep digital services available 24/7. They support the apps, systems and online tools that people, businesses, schools, hospitals, and governments rely on every day.
Inside a data centre are powerful computers called servers. These servers store, process and deliver data for services people use every day. In this sense, data centres function like giant digital warehouses – instead of physical goods, they manage information.
Data centres are designed to operate continuously, in carefully controlled environments, so digital services remain fast, secure and available whenever needed.
Why do we need data centres – and who uses them?
- Individuals rely on them for apps, messaging, shopping and entertainment
- Businesses depend on them for payments, logistics, data storage and operations
- Governments and essential services rely on them for healthcare, transport, public safety and emergency response
What is the cloud and how does it relate to data centres?
What are the benefits of data centres?
How are data centres built – and what’s inside them?
- Rows of servers that store and process data
- Cooling systems to manage heat from servers
- Power systems and backup systems to support continuity
- Secure access controls to protect equipment
- Fibre connections so data can move quickly
- Monitoring systems so teams can manage the facility safely
Frequently asked questions
Data centres need to be physically close to the people and businesses using them. Physical proximity helps digital services respond more quickly, known as low latency. They also depend on existing infrastructure such as reliable electricity, fibre networks and transport. Choosing the right site helps balance speed, reliability, and community impact, while meeting strict planning and environmental standards.
Yes. Data centres are generally considered safe, low-impact neighbours. They are typically built in industrial-zoned areas, follow strict planning, environmental and safety standards, and do not involve heavy manufacturing or chemical processing. The activity inside is primarily computing equipment operating in temperature-controlled rooms, making them more comparable to modern commercial buildings than factories.
Data centres are designed to operate within strict noise regulations. Modern facilities use advanced cooling systems, acoustic treatments and noise monitoring to minimise impact on nearby communities. Operators are typically required to comply with local planning and environmental noise limits.
Data centres use energy continuously to run servers and cooling systems. The industry is shifting rapidly toward renewable electricity.
At AirTrunk, we are committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030 and to match 100% of electricity consumption at our data centres with renewable energy sources, working alongside customers and energy providers.
AirTrunk reports an operational Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of approximately 1.32, significantly better than the global industry average, which is commonly estimated at around 1.6. Lower PUE means more electricity is used for computing rather than overhead such as cooling.
It varies. Water is often used in cooling systems because it’s an efficient way to remove heat, which lowers electricity use overall. Other facilities use little or no water and rely on air-based cooling instead. Responsible operators measure and report water use, prioritise recycled or non-potable water where available, and design systems to minimise consumption, especially in water-stressed regions.
AirTrunk’s water resilience strategy ensures sustainable, responsible, and productive use of water. AirTrunk is investing in recycled water systems, liquid cooling technology, and pursuing alternative water sources in water stressed regions.
Data centre operators manage the physical facility, including power, cooling, security and building infrastructure. They do not access to or control the data stored on their customers’ servers.
The organisations using the data centre manage their own equipment and data security, using measures such as encryption, locked cabinets and strict access controls. Physical access to equipment areas is tightly controlled and typically limited to authorised personnel.
During construction of a data centre, responsible operators work with local councils and contractors to manage impacts during construction, including traffic management, approved working hours, dust and noise controls, and community contact channels for questions or concerns.
Once operational, data centres generally have relatively low day-to-day traffic compared with many other industrial facilities.
From the outside, data centres are typically large industrial or commercial buildings, similar in appearance to logistics facilities, warehouses or modern manufacturing buildings.
Operators often incorporate landscaping, setbacks, screening and architectural finishes to align with local planning requirements and surrounding development. In many countries, proposed data centres undergo planning assessment processes that may include consideration of visual impact, traffic, noise and environmental factors.
AirTrunk works with planners, councils and local communities to help ensure facilities are designed appropriately for the areas in which they operate.
