Learn About Data Centers: Where the Internet Lives

Giving context on the history and technology of data centers, this presentation will provide a basic understanding of data centers in Illinois and Chicagoland. Get a sense of the "what happens next" as AI-related infrastructure continues to expand.

Tommy Zakrzewski is founder and chief building scientist of Zakrzewski Architectural Engineering, where he applies building engineering physics to the design of high-performance facilities, including hyperscale data centers. This includes evaluating energy demand, cooling and water use, and emissions impacts before a building is ever constructed. His physics-based energy simulations help owners, architects, and contractors understand the real-world environmental footprint of their projects and identify where it can be reduced.

He is also an adjunct professor at Illinois Institute of Technology and Northwestern University, serves on the board of directors for IBPSA-USA, and is a member of the USGBC LEED Energy & Atmosphere Technical Advisory Group. Across these roles he is helping shape both the standards the industry designs to and the engineers and architects who will apply them.

For more information about data centers, you can also attend Impacts and Solutions of Data Centers with the Illinois Environmental Council on Monday, November 9th from 6-7pm.