Telefónica is giving a significant boost to energy optimization of your data centers With the incorporation of AI-powered digital twins and advanced analytics, this new layer of intelligence allows for a detailed understanding of what is happening inside the technical rooms and enables much more precise control over climate control and installed capacity.
The initiative, led by Telefónica Germany in collaboration with EkkoSenseIt relies on a combination of IoT sensors, real-time 3D models, and continuous analysis algorithms. The goal is clear: reduce energy consumption in data centers, improve network resilience and advance the Telefónica Group's automation roadmap, both in Spain and in the rest of Europe.
A 3D digital twin at the service of efficiency
The project is part of the Autonomous Network Journey (ANJ), Telefónica's global program aimed at moving networks towards increasingly autonomous models and intelligent networksIn this context, the digital twin of data centers becomes a key element for automate thermal and capacity management without jeopardizing the continuity of service.
The solution develops a real-time three-dimensional model of the data centerPowered by a network of IoT sensors that measure temperature, airflow, load, and other critical parameters, this system allows technical teams to see at a glance how the environment behaves, detect hotspots, and make data-driven decisions, not just based on past experience or estimates.
Beyond visualization, the system integrates advanced analytics and predictive capabilities which suggest adjustments to the air conditioning and IT load distribution. This allows for fine-tuning the use of cooling, reducing inefficiencies, and Improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), a key indicator in any sustainability and cost control strategy for a data center.
Another relevant advantage is the possibility of modeling and simulating failure scenariosThe digital twin allows you to virtually test what would happen in the event of a specific incident (for example, the failure of an air conditioning unit or a sudden increase in load) and to design preventive action plans to minimize risks before they materialize.
The deployment also stands out for its agility: New sites can be integrated in a matter of dayswithout having to carry out construction work or interrupt service. This makes it easier to extend the solution to more data centers and technical rooms, as well as enhance the edge computing node network, both in Germany and in other countries where the Telefónica Group operates.
How to manage data centers with AI and IoT sensors
The data centers and technical sites They account for a very significant portion of the telecom sector's electricity consumption. With the growth of data traffic and the increased demand for digital services, the challenge is no longer just expanding capacity, but make better use of existing infrastructure without skyrocketing the energy bill.
In this scenario, the solution developed with EkkoSense relies on a dense layer of IoT sensors which collects information on temperature, airflow, rack occupancy, and the behavior of critical equipment. All this information is sent in real time to a platform that processes the data and feeds the 3D digital twin, supported by AI infrastructure alliances.
From there, the operators have a Dynamic map of thermal and load riskswhere they can see overcooled or overheated areas, as well as racks that are near their limit or underutilized. Based on this, the system generates automatic recommendations that help to reorganize equipment, adjust airflow, or modify temperature settings to reduce consumption without compromising performance.
This approach also allows extend the useful life of the equipmentMaintaining more stable thermal conditions that meet the manufacturer's specifications reduces the stress placed on the hardware. Indirectly, this translates into fewer incidents, fewer downtimes, and more predictable operation.
The tool is designed to be manageable by network operations teams, avoiding the complexity that some DCIM solutions have historically had. According to the experience shared by Telefónica Germany, the combination of immersive visualization, real-time analytics, and automation It makes it easier for technical staff to adopt the system and integrate it into their daily operations.
Impact on energy consumption and daily operation
The first measurements of this deployment point to a estimated savings of 15-20% in energy consumption of cooling systems of data centers. In practical terms, this translates into a direct reduction in operating expenses (OpEx) related to energy, one of the most significant cost categories for these infrastructures.
Beyond the percentages, the continuous monitoring of thermal behavior This is allowing Telefónica to avoid unnecessary investments: by making better use of available capacity, expansions of air conditioning or space that were previously considered essential are postponed. In other words, the infrastructure is being used more efficiently before considering expansion.
Another important effect has to do with the risks preventionPredictive alerts and proactive maintenance help detect patterns that anticipate failures, providing time to act before a problem impacts service availability. At the same time, automated reporting with auditable data simplifies regulatory compliance and the creation of internal and external reports.
All of this contributes to consolidating a more resilient operating model in the face of peak demand and increased IT load, a particularly critical aspect in contexts of traffic growth, 5G deployments or expansion of advanced digital services.
In parallel, the use of digital twins fits with the Group's sustainability objectives, as reducing the environmental footprint of data centers and to support the transition towards more responsible energy consumption, both in Spain and in the rest of the European markets where Telefónica has a significant presence.
Career advancement within the Telefónica Group and demonstrators
The deployment of these AI-powered digital twins is being carried out gradually. prioritizing sites with the highest energy consumptionAs the results are consolidated in Germany, the Group is working to extend this approach to other countries, sharing lessons learned, methodologies and use cases.
Telefónica sees this solution as another piece within its global strategy for autonomous networksThis, along with other initiatives that seek to automate the planning, configuration, and operation of infrastructure, combines real-time data, AI, and digital models to move toward an environment where critical decisions are made faster and, in many cases, automatically.
To bring this technology closer to customers, partners, and internal teams, the company has enabled physical demonstratorsIn Spain, the solution can be seen in LaCabina, in the Telefónica District (Madrid), a space dedicated to showcasing technological use cases. In Germany, it is present in the Innovation Experience Area of O2 Telefónica in Munich, where it is explained how the digital twin helps to manage the data center more efficiently.
These environments also showcase other solutions driven by the GCTIO area that illustrate how Telefónica is making progress in its Autonomous Network JourneyCombining automation, virtualization, and data analytics to transform the way networks are designed and operated.
This AI-powered digital twin approach in data centers aims to become an internal standard for the Group, supporting both cost-saving objectives and those related to sustainability and quality of service. The experience gained in Germany and in the demonstrators in Madrid and Munich will serve as a foundation for new deployments in Europe and other marketswhere the pressure to gain energy efficiency in critical infrastructure is ever increasing.
