The Future of Sustainable Data Centres: Grid Stability, Digital Twins and AI

Send me a message In this episode of the Climate Confident podcast, I sit down with Ciaran Flanagan, who leads Siemens’ Global Data Centre business, to unpack the evolving role of data centres in our energy and climate systems. We dig into the data centre’s journey from a “sausage machine” of power-hungry servers to a potential hero in grid stability and renewable energy adoption. Ciaran shares how data centres in Ireland, despite consuming up to 20% of national electricity, are driving economic growth and pioneering greener practices. We explore why digital twins are more than a buzzword, enabling smarter design and cutting resource waste. Ciaran also explains how AI’s explosive demand pressures the grid while offering real-time energy optimisations to make data centres more sustainable. Key highlights:The role of data centres as catalysts for renewable energy growthHow digital twin technology can cut construction emissions and energy useAI’s double-edged impact on data centre sustainabilityThe regulatory shift pushing data centre operators to report and reduce emissions We also touch on the often-overlooked economic benefits of data centres, from direct jobs to the broader tech ecosystem. The report I referred to in the podcast is available here. Listen in to learn how the data centre industry is pivoting from climate problem to climate solution.Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Podcast supporters I"d like to sincerely thank this podcast"s amazing supporters: Jerry Sweeney Andreas Werner Stephen Carroll Roger Arnold And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one. Contact If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don"t forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show. Credits Music credits - Intro by Joseph McDade, and Outro music for this podcast was composed, played, and produced by my daughter Luna Juniper