QTS Data Centers has partnered with the University of Wisconsin–Madison to fund a $1.5 million research initiative to advance more sustainable digital infrastructure.

The Advancing Data Center Sustainability program will focus on key areas, including grid stability, advanced energy storage, renewable fuel integration, sustainable landscape design, and the environmental and health impacts of expanding digital infrastructure.

Specific projects include hydrogen-enabled virtual power plants, supercritical CO2 energy storage, brownfield mapping, agrivoltaic systems, biodiversity monitoring, and community engagement with Tribal and local stakeholders.

“Investment by QTS into UW research connects our researchers with the practical challenges of digital infrastructure,” said Paul Robbins, Dean of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. “We are excited to partner with industry to create more sustainable outcomes.”

Madison Williams, CIO of QTS, added: “The insights from this research are essential to shaping the next generation of sustainable digital infrastructure, supporting growing digital demand while driving local economic impact.”

QTS and the Nelson Institute will jointly define project scopes, timelines, and outcomes to ensure the research translates into actionable improvements for data center sustainability.

Based in Sterling, Virginia, QTS has data center facilities worldwide, with the company claiming more than 2GW of operational capacity.

The company was founded in Kansas City in 2003 by Chad Williams. The company has scaled significantly since then, with its growth aided by its acquisition by Blackstone in 2021 for $10 billion.

It now operates facilities across the US and around the world. The company’s current projects include a £10 billion ($13.3bn) hyperscale facility in Northumberland, UK, which gained planning permission earlier this month.

In April, Williams stepped down as CEO and was replaced by David Robey, who held the position of chief operating officer, and Tag Greason, who served as QTS's chief growth officer.