Pranav Hotkar
Munich, Germany - March 6, 2026 - Telefónica Germany has partnered with EkkoSense to deploy real-time digital twin technology designed to optimize cooling performance and energy efficiency across its data center infrastructure, marking a significant step toward more intelligent facility operations.
The collaboration introduces EkkoSense’s AI-powered data center optimization platform, which combines Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, advanced analytics, and 3D digital twin modeling to monitor environmental conditions inside facilities in real time. By creating a dynamic digital representation of each data center, operators can visualize airflow patterns, identify thermal risks, and adjust cooling strategies with greater precision.
Cooling systems represent one of the largest sources of energy consumption in data centers, and Telefónica Germany aims to reduce this operational burden through improved visibility and automation. According to the companies, early deployments indicate the technology could deliver energy savings of approximately 15-20% in cooling operations while also helping prevent thermal hotspots and improving overall infrastructure reliability.
“Digital twin technology gives us a powerful tool to monitor and optimize our facilities in real time,” said Rüdiger Kunze, Head of Housing & Site Infrastructure at Telefónica Germany. “By combining granular environmental data with advanced analytics, we can make faster operational decisions that enhance both energy efficiency and service reliability.”
EkkoSense’s platform integrates dense networks of sensors that continuously capture temperature, humidity, and airflow data across server racks and cooling zones. These inputs feed into a three-dimensional digital twin model that provides operational teams with live visualization of conditions across the entire facility. The system can also generate predictive insights to recommend adjustments to cooling configurations and capacity planning.
Dean Boyle, CEO of EkkoSense, said the partnership highlights the growing importance of AI-driven infrastructure management as data center workloads continue to expand. “Operators need deeper visibility into the thermal behavior of their facilities, particularly as power densities rise,” Boyle said. “Our platform enables them to identify inefficiencies, optimize cooling resources, and manage capacity risks with far greater confidence.”
Another key advantage of the platform is its rapid deployment capability. The solution can be implemented without significant infrastructure modifications, allowing new facilities to be integrated into the system within days while avoiding service disruption.
The initiative forms part of Telefónica’s broader strategy to improve sustainability across its digital infrastructure as demand for data-intensive services and AI workloads continues to grow. By leveraging digital twin modeling and real-time analytics, the company aims to ensure that its data centers operate with higher efficiency, lower energy consumption, and greater operational resilience.
