Website: [DigitalRealty.com](https://www.digitalrealty.com) ### Introduction Digital Realty Trust, Inc., founded in 2004, is a leading global provider of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the company has grown to become one of the largest data center operators in the world, supporting the infrastructure needs of enterprises, cloud providers, and hyperscalers. While specific founders are not widely documented in public sources, the company was established to capitalize on the growing demand for digital infrastructure. As of the latest available data, Digital Realty employs over 3,000 individuals globally, though exact current figures may vary (source: [DigitalRealty.com](https://www.digitalrealty.com/about)). Digital Realty is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DLR. Its mission is to provide secure, reliable, and sustainable data center solutions to enable the digital economy, with a focus on meeting the escalating demands of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-performance computing (HPC). The company operates over 300 data centers across more than 25 countries, offering a platform for businesses to scale their digital operations. ### Key Products and Technology Digital Realty’s portfolio is centered on data center infrastructure tailored for AI, HPC, and enterprise needs. Below are the key offerings relevant to the AI-HPC category: - **PlatformDIGITAL® (Data Center Platform)** - **Type**: Scalable data center and interconnection platform - **Technical Specifications**: Supports high-density compute environments with power capacities often exceeding 30 kW per rack for AI workloads; offers global connectivity with over 1,100 cloud on-ramps and 4,000+ enterprises connected. - **Energy Source**: Primarily grid electricity with a growing emphasis on renewable energy (targeting 100% renewable energy coverage for its global portfolio). - **Key Differentiators**: Provides a pervasive data center architecture with global reach, enabling low-latency access to cloud and network services; focuses on sustainability with energy-efficient designs. - **Development Stage**: Fully operational and continuously expanding with new facilities. - **Target Customers**: Hyperscalers (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure), enterprises, and AI/HPC-focused companies requiring high-density computing. - **AI-Ready Data Centers (Specialized Infrastructure)** - **Type**: High-density data centers for AI and machine learning workloads - **Technical Specifications**: Designed for GPU-intensive applications with power densities up to 50-100 kW per rack; advanced cooling solutions including liquid cooling to manage heat dissipation. - **Energy Source**: Grid power with onsite backup systems; increasing integration of renewable sources. - **Key Differentiators**: Customizable infrastructure for AI training and inference; collaboration with technology providers for optimized cooling and power delivery. - **Development Stage**: Operational in key markets with ongoing upgrades for higher densities as of 2025 reports. - **Target Customers**: AI companies, research institutions, and tech giants deploying large-scale GPU clusters. - **ServiceFabric™ (Interconnection Solution)** - **Type**: Digital interconnection and orchestration platform - **Technical Specifications**: Enables hybrid IT environments by connecting data centers, cloud services, and networks with high-speed, low-latency links. - **Energy Source**: N/A (software and network-focused). - **Key Differentiators**: Simplifies multi-cloud and hybrid architectures critical for AI and HPC data flows; supports real-time workload orchestration. - **Development Stage**: Operational and expanding with new integrations. - **Target Customers**: Enterprises and cloud providers needing seamless data exchange for AI applications. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a data center operator, Digital Realty is not subject to nuclear-specific regulatory oversight like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Instead, its operations fall under environmental, zoning, and energy regulations at local, state, and [[Federal|federal]] levels. The company must comply with energy efficiency standards and environmental impact assessments for new constructions, particularly as data centers face scrutiny for high power and water consumption. In 2025, reports indicate a push for sustainability, with Digital Realty focusing on renewable energy procurement and carbon-neutral goals (source: [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/digital-realty-ai-infrastructure-data-centers-sustainability-strategy-2025-6)). Key regulatory milestones include adherence to frameworks like the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive and U.S. state-level mandates for renewable energy usage. Upcoming challenges involve securing grid connections amid delays reported in 2025, as AI-driven demand strains power infrastructure (source: [Data Center Knowledge](https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/energy-power-supply/how-data-centers-redefined-energy-and-power-in-2025)). There is no specific timeline for “first commercial deployment” as the company is already operational, though expansion projects face regulatory review on a case-by-case basis for new facilities. ### Team and Leadership Digital Realty’s leadership team drives its strategy in AI and HPC infrastructure. Key executives include: - **Andrew P. Power - President and CEO**: With over 20 years in real estate and technology sectors, Power has led Digital Realty since 2015, overseeing global expansion and sustainability initiatives. - **Matt Mercier - Chief Financial Officer**: Mercier manages financial strategy, bringing experience from prior roles in technology and infrastructure finance. - **Chris Sharp - Chief Technology Officer**: Sharp focuses on innovation in data center design and interconnection, critical for AI and HPC solutions, with a background in cloud and network technologies. Social media handles for these executives are not widely verified or publicized in available sources, so they are omitted here. ### Funding and Financial Position As a public REIT, Digital Realty does not rely on traditional venture funding rounds but raises capital through equity markets, debt offerings, and operational revenue. As of December 2025, the company’s market capitalization is approximately $50 billion, though exact figures fluctuate with market conditions (source: general financial data from [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/19/data-center-deals-hit-record-amid-ai-funding-concerns-grip-investors.html)). Recent stock performance has been bolstered by the AI boom, with hyperscalers driving demand for data center capacity, though concerns about energy costs pose risks. Key institutional investors include Vanguard Group and BlackRock, holding significant stakes as of the latest SEC filings. Digital Realty reported revenue of over $5.5 billion in recent annual figures, reflecting its status as a commercial-scale operator with strong cash flow from long-term leases (source: [DigitalRealty.com Investor Relations](https://investor.digitalrealty.com)). The company continues to invest heavily in new facilities, with billions allocated to expansions in 2025. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 19, 2025 | Industry Deal Record | Data center deals, including Digital Realty’s contributions, hit a record $61 billion amid AI demand (source: [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/19/data-center-deals-hit-record-amid-ai-funding-concerns-grip-investors.html)). | | Nov, 2025 | Expansion Announcements | New data center developments reported globally, with Digital Realty likely involved in key markets (source: [Data Center Knowledge](https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/data-center-construction/new-data-center-developments-november-2025)). | | Oct, 2025 | North American Growth | Continued focus on high-density facilities in North America for AI workloads (source: [Data Center Knowledge](https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/data-center-construction/new-data-center-developments-october-2025)). | | Jun 4, 2025 | AI Sustainability Strategy | Executives highlighted collaboration for energy-efficient AI data centers (source: [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/digital-realty-ai-infrastructure-data-centers-sustainability-strategy-2025-6)). | | May, 2025 | Global Portfolio Expansion | Announced new facilities to meet growing compute demands (source: [Data Center Knowledge](https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/data-center-construction/new-data-center-developments-may-2025)). | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Hyperscalers (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud)**: Digital Realty provides critical infrastructure through long-term leases, hosting cloud regions and AI workloads. This strategic relationship ensures steady revenue and positions the company at the forefront of AI growth. - **Technology Providers (e.g., NVIDIA, Schneider Electric)**: Collaborations focus on optimizing high-density compute environments with advanced cooling and power solutions, essential for AI and HPC clusters. - **Renewable Energy Suppliers**: Partnerships to source wind, solar, and other renewables align with sustainability goals, reducing the carbon footprint of energy-intensive data centers. ### New Hampshire Relevance Digital Realty’s infrastructure could align with [[New Hampshire]]’s needs, though no specific projects in the state are documented as of 2025. The proximity to ISO-NE grid infrastructure and the [[Seabrook Station]] nuclear plant offers potential for reliable power access, critical for data centers. NH’s growing tech sector and industrial base could benefit from localized AI/HPC facilities to support data-intensive applications. The company’s technology is fully deployable, fitting NH’s timeline for immediate infrastructure needs rather than long-term speculative projects. Legislative initiatives like HB 710, which may promote clean energy or tech development, could incentivize data center investments if paired with renewable energy commitments. Applications include powering regional data centers or supporting industrial heat and compute loads. While Digital Realty has a presence in the Northeast (e.g., Boston metro area), no explicit interest in NH is confirmed in current data. ### Competitive Position Digital Realty competes with other major data center operators like [[Equinix]], CyrusOne, and CoreSite. Its global scale and PlatformDIGITAL® ecosystem provide a unique advantage in interconnection and hybrid cloud solutions, critical for AI/HPC clients. [[Equinix]] offers similar interconnection strengths but focuses more on edge computing, while CyrusOne emphasizes rapid buildouts in key markets. A risk for Digital Realty is the escalating cost of energy and grid connection delays, as noted in 2025 industry reports, which could impact expansion timelines compared to competitors with more localized energy strategies (source: [Data Center Knowledge](https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/energy-power-supply/how-data-centers-redefined-energy-and-power-in-2025)). ### Closing Note Digital Realty is a mature, market-leading data center operator with a strong trajectory to capitalize on AI and HPC demand, supported by global scale and sustainability initiatives. *Report generated December 24, 2025*