The data centre industry is investigating the adoption of photonics technology as a means to reduce reliance on copper wiring and decrease overall energy consumption. Currently, a typical 100-megawatt facility uses approximately 400 tonnes of copper, with about 20 tonnes dedicated to network wiring that connects computer servers. Industry leaders including Digital Realty argue that fibre optic cables, which transmit data using light rather than electricity, could offer significant advantages over traditional copper infrastructure.
Photonics technology leverages optical fibres that have been used for decades in long-distance telecommunications to transmit data within data centres themselves. The primary benefit of this approach is that light transmission generates considerably less heat than electrical current, which could substantially reduce the energy required for cooling systems. Researchers and companies are working to integrate optical components directly with electrical components, sometimes at the chip level, to maximize efficiency. Multiple data streams can also be transmitted through the same channel using photonics, increasing data capacity without additional infrastructure.
While the technology has been under development for years, experts indicate it is now approaching commercial viability. Major semiconductor manufacturer Nvidia has endorsed photonics technology, lending significant industry credibility. However, the transition to widespread adoption faces multiple challenges. The shift requires merging different engineering traditions and supply chains, with manufacturing processes distributed globally. Additionally, optical components are highly sensitive to heat, creating reliability concerns that operators must address by maintaining strict thermal management standards.
Skilled workforce development presents another hurdle, as installers, field engineers, and network designers require training in photonics-specific installation and maintenance procedures. The manufacturing process itself remains a bottleneck, though some companies are repurposing older semiconductor manufacturing equipment to reduce costs. The industry continues working to scale production and bring down expenses before photonics becomes economically competitive with current copper-based systems for widespread deployment.
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