Today, data centers have become one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure in the global economy. Cloud services, critical services such as medical research and air traffic control, streaming platforms, artificial intelligence applications, and social media all rely on facilities capable of operating 24 hours a day without interruption.

To gain a better understanding of how these critical infrastructures operate, the Data Centre World Madrid team visited Equinix’s BA2 data center, located in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, within the Barcelona metropolitan area. The tour was led by Jordi Vila, Data Center Operations Manager at Equinix, who explained the key systems that ensure the operational continuity of this type of facility.

The tour provided insight into how a modern data center is structured and the three pillars that underpin its operation: power, cooling, and connectivity.

 

A rapidly growing sector (under pressure from energy costs)

The growth of the digital ecosystem is driving rapid expansion of data centers around the world. The widespread adoption of cloud computing, the increase in data traffic, and, in particular, the development of artificial intelligence are driving a surge in demand for processing capacity.

This growth, however, poses a key challenge: energy consumption.

Artificial intelligence models, particularly large-scale training and processing systems, require enormous computational power, which leads to a significant increase in electricity consumption in data centers. Added to this is the need for increasingly efficient cooling systems to manage the heat generated by high-density infrastructure.

In this context, the sector is working on solutions aimed at improving energy efficiency, integrating renewable energy, and optimizing facility design to reduce their environmental impact.

 

Equinix and the Development of Data Centers in Spain

Founded in 1998, Equinix is one of the world’s leading interconnection providers. Its data centers not only house technology infrastructure but also serve as meeting points where companies, telecommunications carriers, and cloud providers connect their networks directly. This model reduces latency and optimizes communication efficiency.

Barcelona is part of this global network. As Vila explained during the visit, the development of the city’s digital hub began in the late 1990s, when the liberalization of the telecommunications market spurred the arrival of new operators and the rollout of connectivity infrastructure.

 

Here's how the BA2 data center is set up

The building is divided into two main areas: a front office area, which houses the reception desk, security checkpoints, and client workspaces, and a three-story technical wing dedicated entirely to the data center.

Each floor houses a data center of approximately 1,000 square meters, equipped with its own power and cooling systems.

“Equinix first deploys the core infrastructure, and then the data center expands in a modular fashion as demand grows,” Vila explained.

 

Server rooms: the heart of the data center

At the heart of any data center are the server rooms, where racks are installed: metal cabinets that house computer equipment, storage systems, and network devices.

BA2 operates under a retail colocation model, in which multiple companies house their technology infrastructure within the same facility. This approach allows telecommunications operators, content providers, technology companies, and cloud platforms to interconnect within a single environment.

Each rack is connected to two separate power lines, so it can continue to operate even if one of them fails.

 

Cooling: A Key Concept in Data Centers

Servers generate large amounts of heat, which is why cooling is one of the most important systems in a data center.

The BA2 uses an enclosed hot-aisle containment system, an architectural design intended to concentrate the hot air generated by the equipment and direct it toward the HVAC systems.

“We capture the heat generated by the servers and channel it to the cooling system, where it is cooled before returning to the circuit,” Vila explained.

 

Power and redundancy: ensuring the system never goes down

One of the biggest challenges in data center design is ensuring that the infrastructure never loses power.

To this end, BA2 features multiple layers of redundancy, including substations, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems with batteries, and emergency generators.

These generators can kick in within seconds if there is a power outage.

“We always provide two power lines to the racks. If one fails, the other can take over,” Vila said.

In addition, the center conducts regular tests to ensure that all systems function properly, even in emergency situations.

Connectivity: the third pillar of the data center

Along with energy and climate control, connectivity is the third essential element in this type of infrastructure.

The BA2 is connected via redundant fiber-optic rings to other nodes in Barcelona’s digital ecosystem, including Barcelona 1.

More than 60 telecommunications operators are concentrated in this area, enabling companies to connect to multiple networks through a single infrastructure. These interconnections take the form of so-called Meet-Me Rooms (MMR), spaces where different operators can interconnect their networks.

Thanks to this architecture, businesses can access digital services with very low latency and greater network resilience.

 

Critical infrastructure for the digital economy

Data centers have become a key component of the global digital infrastructure. The growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data traffic is driving investment in these types of facilities around the world.

Indeed, the technical design and challenges associated with building data centers will be among the key topics at Data Centre World Madrid. Experts in engineering and infrastructure, along with industry leaders, will discuss the operation and evolution of these facilities as part of Tech Show Madrid 2026, which will take place on November 4 and 5 at IFEMA Madrid.

 

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