The development of powerful large language models (LLMs) places high demands on computing capacity and energy efficiency. While leading global technology companies rely on their own supercomputers and specialised data centres, Europe must expand its strategic capacities in High-Performance Computing (HPC) in order to keep up with global competition.

How can data centres (DC) be optimally planned and operated? What role does water cooling play and how does the German Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) affect the industry? In this interview, Peter auf dem Graben, Senior Data Centre Consultant at dc-ce DC-Beratung and expert in data centre planning and operation, explains why precise coordination between IT and facility management is crucial, which technologies drive energy efficiency and how operators should respond to increasing power densities.