Data centers are critical to the world’s existence. Every segment of human activity, including energy, lighting, telecommunications, transportation, public health, entertainment, and infrastructure, are controlled by data centers. Growth in this sector is exploding. In 2017, approximately 48 mergers and acquisitions were completed totaling nearly $20 billion, which exceeded the total in 2015 and 2016 combined, according to Jones Lang LaSalle IP Inc. In the November issue of Engineered Systems, we explore some of the trends surrounding the data center boom and how HVACR engineers are keeping up with the exponential demand.