Build

Keepit recognised for its green data centres

Keepit, a global provider of a comprehensive cloud backup and recovery platform, has been awarded 'Best Green Initiative' by the Business Awards UK, 2024 Corporate Sustainability Awards. Keepit’s data centres in the Americas and EMEA have been powered by 100% renewable energy since 2023. "Keepit prides itself in having built its whole operation efficiently, with sustainability in mind. Providing our customers with the ability to secure their data on our platform, knowing we’re also doing our part to reduce environmental impact, is important to us as a company”, says Michele Hayes, CMO at Keepit. Since 2023, all Keepit’s data centres in the Americas and EMEA have been powered by 100% renewable energy. Keepit reached this important green energy milestone ahead of other cloud-based backup vendors. Keepit constructed its technology stack from the ground up, specifically designing it to efficiently address data storage challenges. This approach reflects a commitment to optimising resource utilisation and delivering a service that is not only effective but also resource efficient. Keepit platform was also named Best Cybersecurity Backup Service by Business Awards UK, 2024 Cybersecurity and Resilience Awards. Keepit is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with offices in the US, Germany, and the UK. Among its UK customers are The National Gallery and Oxford University Innovation. For more from Keepit, click here.

atNorth joins Danish Data Center Industry Association

atNorth, a Nordic colocation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence service provider, has announced that it is joining the Danish Data Center Association (DDI) as part of its continued investment into the country’s data centre industry. The business recently announced the development of its second site in Denmark, DEN02 and its first site, DEN01, is due to be operational by Q2 2025. atNorth has also recently announced the appointment of Jeff Kjeldsen as Operations Director for Denmark as it aims to deliver large-scale infrastructure operations that demonstrate leading technologies and adhere to stringent industry standards. The DDI aims to create stakeholder opportunities by promoting sustainability, best practice operations and cross sector collaborations. These are factors that are a core part of atNorth’s business ethos, and the business is proud to help shape a thriving future for the country. “The Danish Data Center Industry is expanding rapidly, but it is important that we evolve in a sustainable way”, says Henrik Hansen, CEO at the Danish Data Center Industry. “We welcome Nordic data centre leader, atNorth, as a member of our organisation and hope we can capitalise on a shared ethos of technical excellence and environmental protection”. “We are proud to join the Danish Data Center Industry Association”, adds Jeff Kjeldsen, Operations Director for Denmark at aNorth. “Denmark, alongside its Nordic neighbours, boasts ideal conditions for data centre development. The country’s beneficial climate, excellent connectivity and an abundance of renewable energy has fuelled the rapid expansion of the industry, and we are delighted to help guide the process to ensure sustainability and best practice excellence”. For more from atNorth, click here.

Digital Realty data centre becomes home to SuperComputer

Sesterce, a company helping to shape the future of artificial intelligence with high-performance GPU SuperComputers, today announced the launch of a new SuperComputer featuring NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs hosted in Digital Realty's data centre in Marseille, France. The state-of-the-art SuperComputer helps to tackle the growing demand for powerful cloud GPU solutions and offers a decarbonised AI as service to Sesterce’s customers. The cluster is equipped with NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs interconnected through InfiniBand technology. These cards provide excellent scalability and performance, contributing to optimal energy efficiency for AI. With this SuperComputer, Sesterce empowers clients to develop highly scalable AI projects with optimal performance and sustainability, providing flexibility for AI projects of any size.The use of AI has been democratised, resulting in demand for storage capacity and computing power continuing to rise. In 2023, France had over 600 start-ups dedicated to AI in the country - a 24% increase since 2021 - and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. However, this exceptional growth parallels a significant rise in energy consumption, raising environmental concerns. Youssef El Manssouri, CEO of Sesterce, comments, "Actors in the field have a role to play. Those that share the same values should work together to offer more environmentally responsible computing power." This breakthrough was made possible through collective efforts. The cluster will benefit directly from Digital Realty's ongoing programme dedicated to minimising the environmental impact of its data centres. These actions include enhancing energy efficiency and procuring renewable energy with a strong focus on locally sourced renewables, ensuring that its entire European portfolio continues to be matched with 100% renewable energy. Additionally, Digital Realty is committed to achieving carbon neutrality across its European data centre portfolio by 2030, alongside a 68% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions globally (against a 2018 baseline), and a 24% reduction in Scope 3 emissions globally within the same timeframe. Youssef adds, "This cluster relies on the synergy of skills, with each party bringing the best of their expertise to create and offer an intensive-ready cluster." This cluster marks a turning point in the field, the companies believe, demonstrating a successful marriage between technical innovation and sustainability. For more from Digital Realty, click here.

STULZ Modular configures data centre at University of Göttingen

STULZ Modular, a provider of modular data centre solutions and a wholly owned subsidiary of STULZ, has announced the completion of an installation at the University of Göttingen in Germany for the Emmy supercomputer, which employs an innovative combination of direct to chip liquid and air cooling. One of the top 100 most powerful supercomputers in the world, Emmy is named after renowned German mathematician, Emmy Noether, who was described by Albert Einstein as one of the most important women in the field of mathematics. The University of Göttingen needed a new data centre to house Emmy, as the existing facilities could not provide the required space and cooling infrastructure. It needed to be a modular construction with a 1.5MW total capacity that could accommodate further expansion, with the deployment of a cooling system that could remove heat density of up to 100kW per rack. Emmy’s power consumption was also a factor, so the implemented solution needed to address this by being as energy efficient and sustainable as possible. "We were given less than two months to design and install a two room modular data centre with a cooling infrastructure, which would be installed on a ground slab and connected to the on-site transformer station," explains Dushy Goonawardhane, Managing Director at STULZ Modular. "Our solution comprises four prefabricated modules – two larger modules cover an area of 85m² and are joined along the spine to accommodate the direct to chip liquid cooled supercomputer. Two smaller modules are also joined along the spine to accommodate air cooled IT equipment in 70m² of space." The entire data centre comprises high performance computers, 1,120kW direct to chip liquid cooled systems with approximately 20% residual heat, high-density racks and STULZ CyberAir and STULZ CyberRow precision air conditioning unit with free cooling. With 96kW per full rack and 11 racks currently in-situ, there is available capacity for up to 14 racks in total. STULZ Modular worked with CoolIT Systems which specialises in scalable liquid cooling solutions for the world’s most demanding computing environments, to incorporate direct to chip liquid cooling to Emmy’s microprocessors. Comprising two liquid loops, the secondary loop provides a flow of cooling fluid from the cooling distribution unit (CDU) to the distribution manifolds and into the servers, where heat is transferred through cold plates into the coolant. The secondary fluid then flows into the heat exchanger in the CDU, where it transfers heat into the primary loop and the absorbed heat energy is carried to a dry cooler and rejected. The direct to chip liquid cooled system removes 78% (74.9kW) of the server heat load. A water-cooled STULZ CyberRow (with free cooling option) air cooling unit removes the remaining 22% (21.1kW) of the heat load produced by components within the server. The CyberRow’s return air temperature is specified at approximately 48°C, supply air temperature at 27-35°C and water temperature at 32-36°C. The University of Göttingen is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint and overall energy consumption across its campus. The STULZ modular data centre provides 27% electricity savings at an average 75% load, equating to 3.96GWh per year. Furthermore, compared to a standard air-cooled data centre with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.56 – the current industry average according to the Uptime Institute – the hybrid direct to chip liquid and air-cooling system provides an overall annual facility PUE of 1.13, with a 1.07 PUE for the liquid cooled supercomputer room alone. STULZ Modular’s Dushy Goonawardhane concludes, "This installation demonstrates our commitment to pushing the boundaries of data centre cooling technology. By combining direct-to-chip liquid cooling with our advanced air-cooling systems, we've created a solution that not only meets the extreme demands of supercomputing but also aligns with the University of Göttingen's sustainability goals. We are excited to share the complexity and learnings from this project in a white paper we have produced in cooperation with the University of Göttingen. For more from STULZ, click here.

Nationwide migrates IT estate to HPE GreenLake cloud

Hewlett Packard Enterprise today announced that Nationwide Building Society has selected HPE GreenLake cloud for its private cloud deployment, enabling it to accelerate its hybrid cloud journey. With the addition of HPE GreenLake Management Services as a strategic cloud services provider, Nationwide is now using the power of cloud technology to support the evolving needs of its customers. In 2018, Nationwide kick-started an ambitious journey to ensure it was primed for the next generation of digital innovation, with its hybrid cloud strategy being driven by the need for different cloud environments for various types of data and workloads. Leveraging the comprehensive capabilities of HPE GreenLake, Nationwide is creating an agile, scalable, secure, resilient, and efficient technology platform. “In today’s world our customers expect us to deliver an always-on service whilst providing new, innovative features that help them better manage their finances,” says Paul Walsh, Director of Infrastructure & Service Delivery, at Nationwide Building Society. “Nationwide’s hybrid cloud strategy is vital to our ability to compete and means we can continue to meet the needs and expectations of our customers. HPE GreenLake cloud is a core component of our hybrid cloud strategy. With them we’re building a cloud platform that will further improve our resilience and agility, enabling us to provide even better levels of service and deliver new capabilities to our developers faster than ever before.” With HPE GreenLake Management Services, Nationwide’s IT team will automate and orchestrate infrastructure management and deliver infrastructure as code. This enables them to focus on innovation, value-add activities and gain better control over application builds and security. Faster release cycles will accelerate the time to market, providing consistent customer experiences across all digital platforms. At the same time, Nationwide can ensure that sufficient controls are in place to manage risk, protect their customers and meet the demands of regulators, while unlocking the value of cloud technology. Nationwide’s hybrid cloud strategy fully embraces cloud economics, enabling efficient monitoring and management of consumption. HPE GreenLake's consumption-based model prevents overprovisioning and allows Nationwide to only pay for capacity that it is using. This is expected to support Nationwide in reducing its IT cost base by at least 30%. Furthermore, a dedicated service within HPE GreenLake cloud gives the building society a clear overview of their energy consumption and emissions, enabling Nationwide to manage its infrastructure more efficiently and reduce the environmental impact. The impact will be further reduced by upcycling and recycling of decommissioned assets, such as the end-of-use compute and storage infrastructure that GreenLake has replaced. “We are proud to support Nationwide with their cloud vision, providing them with enhanced control and security and the reliability and flexibility for growth,” says Matt Harris, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, UK, Ireland, Middle East and Africa at HPE. “Nationwide’s modernisation journey showcases the effectiveness of HPE GreenLake cloud, with the storied institution transitioning from complex, legacy technology to a modern, future-proofed hybrid cloud operating model, where a one-size-fits all public cloud could never be the only answer." For more from HPE, click here.

Lennox launches new business to support data centre industry

Lennox, a provider of energy-efficient climate control solutions, is launching a new business to address the specific cooling challenges of the data centre industry. Lennox Data Centre Solutions is a standalone business that will provide innovative, sustainable cooling solutions and services directly to the data centre market across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The global data centre market looks set to grow at around 9.1% CAGR through to 2030. In Europe alone, market studies estimate the current data centre capacity at 12,23GW, expanding at a rate of 600-700 facilities a year. The heat generated by these new data centres will require efficient and effective processing, be that through heat rejection, heat reuse or a combination of the two. Today’s demanding energy and performance standards require heat rejection products that offer precision, efficiency and reliability.A natural extension of its existing expertise, Lennox Data Centre Solutions intends to bring Lennox's high level of product and service excellence to customers in the data centre market. “Our experience has led us to a position where we understand that data centre solutions, especially for cooling processes, are bespoke from project to project,” says Matt Evans, CEO of Lennox Data Centre Solutions. “Backed by renewed investment and focus, the business will lead with an engineering consultancy approach to the design of data centre heat-rejection solutions. We aim to treat every project on individual merit, working closely with customers to create the optimal solution based on our full end-to-end product suite.” Lennox Data Centre Solutions has deep knowledge in data centre design and build excellence. This arrives courtesy of its existing experience in this sector as part of Lennox, bolstered by a number of strategic new recruits with proven expertise in data centre cooling solutions. The ability to tap into the comprehensive resources of Lennox EMEA is significant. With manufacturing facilities in Lyon and Dijon in France, Burgos in Spain, and fully certified Eurovent test facilities to match, each plant features advanced production capabilities staffed by highly skilled professionals to ensure quality and reliability. Lennox Data Centre Solutions is offering a full portfolio of cooling solutions for data centres. Adapting some products from the existing Lennox portfolio, others have been designed and manufactured from the ground up. The range spans close control units (CCU’s), computer room air handler (CRAH) units, fan wall units (FWU), cooling distribution units (CDUs), chillers, and both adiabatic and conventional dry coolers.With the new business, Lennox can call upon a team of over 100 in-house technical engineers supporting product commissioning, service and maintenance across Europe alone. With the largest team of its type in the region, data centres can expect seamless integration, installation and support for their bespoke projects. Ultimately, the goal is to become the preferred partner for enterprise, colocation and hyperscale data centre operators seeking efficient, effective and sustainable data centre cooling solutions. This ambition aligns with Lennox’s long-standing commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and efficiency. Lennox Data Centre Solutions is backing its expectations for rapid growth with an aggressive recruitment campaign that will further build the EMEA team over coming months. Alongside its direct support for data centres, the new business will also look to provide support through an exclusive partner network of consultants and system integrators.

NVC Lighting to launch new products at DataCentres Ireland

Visitors to this year’s DataCentres Ireland exhibition can learn how NVC Lighting’s new products, designed specifically for the sector, can contribute to increased energy efficiency and cost savings. The ‘around the clock’ operational nature of data centres means that dependable lighting has long been a crucial component in allowing for optimum performance. Now, with the global focus on sustainability and energy saving, NVC Lighting will be launching its BROADWAY range, which utilises LED lighting technology to offer data centre buildings a more efficient solution than ever before, to the European market. Visitors to the two-day exhibition and conference, being held from 20-21 November at the RDS in Dublin, can speak with the NVC Lighting team at Stand 237, who will be showcasing the new BROADWAY products and a range of regular fittings, as well as examples of its work to support data centres. High-quality lighting enhances visibility, reduces the risk of accidents, and supports efficient maintenance operations. The BROADWAY range is specifically designed to offer energy-efficient, low-glare solutions that ensure a safe and productive data centre environment. The NVC Lighting team, which supports clients in a range of sectors across the UK, have focused on optimising its high performance, energy efficient products to contribute to the need for Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) reduction. Phil Brown, Product & Marketing Director at NVC Lighting, says, “We’re excited to launch the optimised BROADWAY range at DataCentres Ireland – these are products which can have a major impact on energy efficiency across the sector, with a relatively low outlay compared to major investments elsewhere. “Working with an efficient and effective LED lighting can lead to significant cost savings in a shorter period of time – over the longer term, their lifespan ensures that it’s an investment which stands the test of time. “This investment not only reduces operating costs but also contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly data centre.” For more from DataCentres Ireland, click here.

Finning to address sustainability challenges at DataCentres Ireland

Finning UK & Ireland, a dealer of Cat equipment and power solutions, will address sustainability challenges at the upcoming DataCentres Ireland event, leading discussions on sustainable power solutions for the data centre industry. The event will take place on 20-21 at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in Dublin, Ireland. Graham Scandrett, Electric Power Head of Projects Sales at Finning UK & Ireland, will participate in a panel discussion titled ‘Onsite standby generation - how to be sustainable’ to explore how renewable energy sources can be integrated as efficiently and pragmatically as possible. With over two decades of experience in the electric power industry, Graham is set to bring valuable insights to the conversation. At the event, Finning will be on hand to discuss its expertise in power solutions at stand 522, as well as discuss the latest Cat power generation technologies designed to meet the evolving needs of data centres. These include the Cat 3516E high transient standby generator set (genset), delivering 2.8MW from a compact footprint, and the Cat G3520K genset which offers flexible fuel options including natural gas and biogas. The panel discussion will explore the complexities of power generation for data centres, addressing key industry challenges such as the integration of renewable energy sources, balancing energy security with sustainability objectives and meeting stringent emissions regulations while maintaining operational efficiency. Graham explains, “Data centres are currently balancing their energy requirements with the necessity for sustainable and reliable power solutions. If you want to reduce carbon intensity, data centres need an energy mix including sustainable energy which, by virtue, is not dispatchable. This is where we can step in to provide sustainable solutions and support. “We know the national grid consists of an energy mix with objectives to further increase the percentage of that mix from renewable sources. At the same time, consumers are requesting more and larger grid connections to keep pace with sustainability and growth plans. When it comes to grid connections, there are many factors involved. In an environment where energy from renewables is not a constant of time, a user’s ability to take a flexible grid connection to reduce demand on the grid at peak times can be a key factor. “At Finning, we are right in the middle of addressing industry complexities like these. For example, if you have a flexible connection and requested to come offline, we can work with clients to offer on-site energy – from a range of fuel sources including liquid fuel gensets – which can operate on lower carbon intense HVO, as well as hydrogen-ready gas gensets. “Liquid fuel in particular is an ideal fuel because – under and within the footprint of a generator enclosure – you’ve got a fuel tank providing roughly 48 hours of fuel, meaning you’ve got this amount of energy security on site. Liquid fuels – by virtue of their chemical makeup – have a high energy density. As such, compared to other fuel types, 48 hours of on-site storage is practical, which in my opinion means that liquid fuels will be part of the energy mix for at least the near to medium term. I’ll be talking about solutions like liquid fuel as part of my panel discussion and can’t wait to help our customers and attendees alike navigate some of the challenges faced by data centres today.” Attendees are invited to visit the Finning stand and attend the panel discussion to learn more about achieving sustainable power solutions in the data centre industry. The session will take place on 21 November at 11.40am. Visitors to the Finning stand can expect to engage with experts on topics such as strategies for integrating renewable energy with reliable backup power, the role of sustainable fuels in data centre power generation, and the latest solutions in power system efficiency and emissions reduction. For more from Finning, click here.

Schneider provides update on sustainability programme

Schneider Electric has announced the latest results of its Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) programme and its financial results for the third quarter of 2024. Recently recognised as the World’s Most Sustainable Company by TIME and Statista, Schneider Electric’s SSI programme monitors and measures the company’s progress across a range of transformative Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets set for 2025. By tracking its sustainability performance and publishing quarterly results, Schneider Electric keeps the momentum for its 11 global and local ambitions and maintains its corporate social responsibility goals. At the end of the quarter, the overall Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact (SSI) score came in at 7.29 out of 10, which is well on track to reach the 2024 end-year target of 7.40, with two major milestones reached: Firstly, Schneider surpassed its goal of providing access to green and reliable energy to 50 million people more than one year before its end-2025 target. This was achieved through projects where Schneider’s solar power solutions were installed on public facilities across Africa and India. For example, in Kenya, Nigeria, and India, new hybrid solar solutions were added to health clinics attended by roughly 2 million people, and in India, over 700 schools were powered by clean energy benefitting around 120,000 students. Schneider is now focused on further ramping up these efforts so that by 2030, cumulatively, 100 million people will have gained access to green electricity since the start of the programme in 2009. Secondly, Schneider also crossed a key threshold in its efforts to foster learning, upskilling, and development for all generations having now trained over 763,000 people in energy management. For example, Schneider Electric and its Foundation recently collaborated with Enactus, enabling university students from 10 countries to develop entrepreneurial solutions that address social issues related to the energy transition. Furthermore, Schneider made considerable strides in halving the carbon impact of its top suppliers through its Zero Carbon Project, resulting in a 36% reduction of its operational CO2 emissions. This was facilitated by several renewable energy workshops held in the USA, Europe, and China, as well as over 20 specialised webinars aimed at supporting suppliers in their decarbonisation endeavours. “Our achievements this quarter showcase the scale of our impact, with local projects playing a pivotal role in achieving our ambitious goals,” says Xavier Denoly, Schneider Electric’s Senior Vice-President of Sustainable Development. “Despite these great results, our work is far from over. We must further intensify our global decarbonisation efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, benefiting people and planet.” Find more details about the results and the latest impactful initiatives in the Q3 2024 report of Schneider’s Sustainability Impact programme, including the progress dashboard: Other key recognitions and awards achieved during the quarter: Recognised as Industry Leader in S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the third consecutive year Received the RE100 Changemaker Award from the Climate Group at Climate Week NYC, in recognition of a ground-breaking tax credit transfer renewable energy project in Texas (USA) Named as a Leader in Verdantix’s Green Quadrant: Building Decarbonisation Consulting Ranked with the highest Social Benchmark score in its industry by World Benchmarking Alliance, underlining sustained efforts to act ethically and provide and promote decent work and human rights Recognised for the ‘Digital Upskilling for All’ programme by Brandon Hall Group’s prestigious Gold Award for Learning and Development   For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

CEOs adjust net zero timescales and investment, report finds

New research has revealed that CEOs across key European countries are shifting timescales and investment around net zero goals as companies continue to grapple with balancing profitability and sustainability in a volatile energy market. The survey of 400 CEOs in charge of companies with turnover above €200m from across the UK, Germany, France and Italy – commissioned by energy solutions specialist, Aggreko – revealed the majority of respondents (95%) have changed their net zero timescales in light of energy supply and pricing issues. As other pressures face leaders, only 12% of respondents claimed that speed of decarbonisation was their top priority, with most claiming reducing energy costs and delivering commercial advantage were among the top priorities. The research – presented in Aggreko’s latest report, Rebalancing the Energy Transition – has also revealed that intention to invest in energy transitions is still present, with 80% expecting to increase investment in the next 12 months. However as balancing cost and commercial viability with ESG goals continues to pose a challenge, most investment increase will only be marginal. With access to finance being a challenge, Aggreko is raising the need for companies to lean on their supply chains to help meet the requirements of the energy transition in the timescales needed – all while balancing profitability with ESG goals. The company has launched this latest report to give leaders insights for navigating the energy transition into the future. Robert Wells, Aggreko’s Europe President, says, “It is not surprising that our research has uncovered leaders across Europe are looking for change when it comes to their energy supply chain. In a tough economic landscape, grid instability and connection delays, price uncertainty and looming ESG targets are impacting many businesses’ energy transitions. “With appetite for decentralisation and alternative power agreements on the rise, we have launched our report to help leaders understand the market and how it is evolving, in addition to the procurement methods at their disposal. Key to this is providing access to solutions that ensure that high energy using industries can remain profitable during their energy transition without compromising on ESG commitments.” Supporting energy intensive businesses across Europe with access to the latest renewable technologies, alternative procurement agreements and expertise to correctly implement it is central to Aggreko’s sustainability framework, Energising Change. In addition to guiding its own energy transition, the framework is designed to support the transition to a renewable energy infrastructure while at the same time enabling sectors such as manufacturing, construction data centres, utilities and infrastructure and petrochemical refineries to meet net zero goals. Robert adds, “We are a strategic supply chain partner to organisations across Europe. Working closely with many customers from energy intensive industries, we have already been working to develop renewable energy developments, establish alternative power agreements and make technologies available for projects imminently. Particularly when capital is at a premium, supporting customers with controlling costs and energy supply will remain a key part of ensuring a smooth energy transition.” For more information and to read Rebalancing the Energy Transition, click here. For more from Aggreko, click here.