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Global consultant STV has launched an energy-focused business line to meet the growing energy needs tied to building data center infrastructure in the US, President and CEO Greg Kelly announced on an episode of the ENR Groundbreakers podcast.
“When you think about infrastructure — transportation, water, buildings — the fourth vertical that’s missing is how can we power all of that, the energy side of it,” he said. “There’s a real energy demand in this country and our customers have expressed that need. So we will be very intentional in rolling out our strategic plan to build that capability.”
Data from research consultancy McKinsey estimates that investment in data center infrastructure could reach a cumulative $6.7 trillion worldwide by 2030 to fuel the use of artificial intelligence (AI) that accompanies cloud computing needs. That spending is expected to be largely driven by data center hyperscalers Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle and Apple, according to its data.
Kelly said the company has already seen how data center projects have changed energy demands across industries. In response, STV’s new business line will focus on underpinning innovative energy solutions.
“This has put some strains on the system for our existing customers in the verticals we serve,” he added. “The biggest user of energy, before these big data centers were built, was for water treatment plants. So you look at our needs there, our transportation needs, our needs in buildings to be energy efficient, our customers are looking for those creative solutions. Whether it’s in transmission or substations or energy resiliency, we’re trying to help our customers solve the challenges they’re facing now.”
As for the impact of the AI boom in architecture, engineering and construction, Kelly said he sees an opportunity for project owners and companies to improve the industry’s ability to tackle complex challenges.
“I often say this idiot: Three years ago, no one could write AI—at least in the mainstream,” he said. “Today, it’s almost ubiquitous, or becoming ubiquitous. It’s actually very encouraging and exciting to think about the capability, how this can transform the AEC industry.”
Kelly added: “There’s been a lot written about what the risks and downsides are, and we’re able to manage that; we’re able to think about it in a different way. I think that’s pretty exciting and I think there’s an opportunity to do a lot more for our clients and the profession in which we’re having these new tools available to us.”
STV is ranked No. 32 on ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms list, with more than $842 million in revenue by 2025. The consultant also frequently ranks on ENR’s latest Top 100 Professional Services Firms list, ranking No. 24 among top construction management/program administration firms by fee, with revenue of $160 million by 2024.
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