Digital Realty Releases US Data Center Study

Data center operator Digital Realty Trust (digitalrealtytrust.com) announced on Thursday it has released the results of its annual study of the US data center market.

The study is based on a detailed survey of senior decision makers at large corporations in North America who are in charge of shaping their companies' data center strategies.

The research was conducted for Digital Realty Trust on behalf of research firm Campos Research & Analysis.

DRT will offer the survey results in a more detailed presentation in a webinar that will be held on March 15.

Now open for registration on DRT's site, the webinar will feature IDC vice president Michelle Bailey and Digital Realty Trust senior executive Chris Crosby.

Some of the major findings of the new study include 83 percent of respondents are planning data center expansions in the next 12 to 24 months, 36 percent have definite plans to make those expansions during 2010, 73 percent plan to add two or more facilities as part of their data center expansions, the need for additional power is the top reason for data center expansions, data center and IT budgets are both projected to increase by 8 percent in 2010, and 83 percent plan to expand in 2010 plan to do so with a partner that specializes in data center design and construction or data center leasing.

"These survey findings point to strong demand for data center space this year and next year as a large majority of enterprises expand their IT infrastructure," says Chris Crosby, senior VP of corporate development for Digital Realty Trust. "One of the most interesting pieces of data in this study is the lead role that power is now playing in these expansions. The need for additional power has become the main driver for data center expansion plans as companies seek facilities with adequate power and favorable utility rates to control operating costs."

The study also examined data center energy efficiency initiatives. These results included 76 percent of respondents now meter their power use, the number of companies that meter power down to the PDU level increased by 29 percent over last yea, 75 percent are confident they can comply with future carbon emissions-related and energy-related regulations, the average reported PUE energy efficiency rating for respondents’ data centers is 2.9, and 17 percent report PUE ratings of less than 2.0 for their facilities.