Sustainability

KIOXIA develops broadband SSD with optical interface

KIOXIA Europe, a developer of memory solutions, will demonstrate a prototype of a broadband SSD with an optical interface for next-generation data centres at the upcoming FMS (the Future of Memory and Storage) summit. Replacing electrical wiring with optical wiring within devices in data centres enables significant expansion of physical distances between devices, slimming down wiring, while maintaining energy efficiency and high signal quality. It also allows greater flexibility in data centre system design and applications. By adopting an optical interface, it is possible to aggregate individual components that make up systems such as SSDs and CPUs and seamlessly interconnect them, furthering the evolution of a 'disaggregated computing system' that can efficiently utilise resources according to the workload. Additionally, with its high signal integrity, the optical interface is expected to contribute to high-performance computing system implementation that operates in harsh environments, such as space. Axel Störmann, Chief Technology Officer & VP at KIOXIA Europe, explains, “The KIOXIA broadband SSD with optical interface prototype, when realised alongside other optical-based devices and systems within data centre infrastructure, has the potential to revolutionise data centres as we know them today. The new SSDs will allow the development of future ‘greener’ server environments offering not only overall energy efficiency but also greater storage efficiency, scale, and performance (improved throughput and latency).” These accomplishments were achieved as a result of the Next Generation Green Data Centre Technology Development project funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) under the Green Innovation Fund Project: Construction of Next Generation Digital Infrastructure. In this grant project, next-generation technologies are being developed with one of the goals set out to achieve more than 40% energy savings compared to current data centres. As a part of this project, KIOXIA is developing broadband SSDs with an optical interface for data storage in next-generation green data centres. The Future of Memory and Storage summit is being held in Santa Clara, California, USA from 6-8 August 2024. For more information, click here. For more from KIOXIA, click here.

Data Centre heat reuse white paper published by EUDCA

Nearly 100% of the electricity consumed by IT equipment is dissipated as waste heat, according to a new white paper published by the European Data Centre Association (EUDCA) Technical Committee. Whilst the quantity of that heat can vary according to the computational load and ambient conditions, it could prove to be a useful resource from both an economic, and energy and sustainability standpoint. The white paper, An Introduction to Data Centre Heat Reuse, is written to provide a useful and accessible overview of what heat reuse is, some of its main applications, and how heat can be recovered from a data centre. It also provides an introduction to current legislative and regulatory initiatives that support or mandate exhaust heat recovery schemes. Making the point that generally, current data centre waste heat temperatures are not high enough for many use cases without the addition of systems to further elevate recovered heat temperature, a well-designed heat reuse system can not only improve the energy efficiency of a facility, but also reduce the overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional heating and cooling methods. Quoting Euroheat and Power, the white paper states the EU’s total forecasted heat demand by 2025 will be 1850 TWh/year. Waste heat from Europe’s data centres could make a major contribution to meeting this demand, providing 221 TWh/year or 12% of the total requirement. According to the report, there are 997 data centres in the EU - 28 of which are located within 2km of a district heating network and generating more than 75 TWh/year of accessible excess heat. Marie Chabanon, Deputy Chair of the EUDCA Technical Committee, comments, “Reusing heat from data centres is not just an environmental imperative, it is also an economic and social opportunity with the power to transform energy consumption into sustainable innovation.” However, one of the biggest challenges is achieving balance between the heat demand of the environment with the availability of waste heat from the data centre. Data centres tend to produce heat at times when most cooling is required, i.e., when outdoor temperatures are hot. In winter, when European temperatures are usually at their lowest, data centres avail of free cooling availability to reduce facility power consumption and energy costs and also exhaust heat output. Other challenges to heat reuse include the physical distance between data centres and the applications requiring the heat, and the capital and operating expenses for infrastructure including heat exchangers, piping and control systems - and in some cases, equipment such as water-to-water heat pumps. It Is unclear whether these costs should be funded by the data centre operator or the waste heat consumer. An Introduction to Data Centre Heat Reuse was written and reviewed by members of the EUDCA Technical Committee, including Alessandro Zerbetto of Vertiv (author), Tanja Gutgesell and Benoit Ploux (Vantage Data Centres), Noah Nkonge and Billy McHallum (Equinix), Marie Chabanon and Linda Lescuyer (Data4), and Steven Parker (Global Switch). Copies can be downloaded freely by clicking here. For more from EUDCA, click here.

Aruba reactivates hydroelectric power plant in Melegnano

Aruba, an Italian provider of cloud and data centre services, has announced that it has reactivated a hydroelectric power plant in Melegnano, near Milan. Located in the same area where the company owns another power plant that was acquired in 2020, the hydroelectric power plant in Melegnano dates back to the early 1900s and was decommissioned decades ago by its previous owner. With careful conservative restoration of the building and the revamping of all electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems, it has been possible to reactivate the power plant near the weir on the Lambro River. Using the MVF (minimum vital flow) management system, Aruba has also maintained the biological balance of the watercourse as best as possible. With the reactivation of this site, the number of hydroelectric power plants owned by Aruba has risen to eight, with an installed capacity of approximately 10MW of hydro capacity in operation. In addition to the two facilities in Melegnano on the Lambro River, Aruba owns three power plants near Ponte San Pietro (BG) on the Brembo River, two on the Astico River, in Chiuppano and Calvene (VI), and one in Pontebba (UD) on the Fella River. Aruba says that it will continue to invest in strengthening its ability to generate energy from renewable sources, particularly through hydropower and photovoltaics, with the long-term view of ensuring the sustainability of operations across the group. This strategy is in line with the goals of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, which set a goal for the climate neutrality of all signatories’ data centres by 2030. The initiative demonstrates a common and shared commitment with other European cloud and data centre companies to proactively drive the transition to full energy sustainability. Aruba was among the first data centre operators to have already certified adherence to the agreement through an audit conducted specifically to measure its compliance with the goals. For more from Aruba, click here.

Can AI limit the environmental damage it’s responsible for?

Data centres, expected to account for 6% of the world’s carbon footprint by 2030, are undergoing a period of transformation, driven by the rise of AI and the pressing need to combat climate change. With such rapid growth comes unforeseen environmental impacts, highlighting the significance of the application of AI technologies in optimising energy use. It is undeniable that the data-intensive workloads generated by AI will see power consumption soar to unprecedented levels. However, the technology itself can help develop the next generation of data centres that are both high-capacity and more sustainable. According to Julien Deconinck, Managing Director at DAI Magister, environmental concerns are driving the development of innovative AI solutions that optimise energy usage in data centres, while reducing operating costs. Julien explains, “Over the next five years, the amount of data generated will surpass the total produced in the past decade, necessitating a significant expansion of storage capacity in data centres worldwide. Another key factor contributing to this rising energy demand is the escalating computational power required for AI training, which is doubling every six months. “Tech giants, recognising the scale of the problem and their significant contribution to it, are racing to mitigate the environmental impact of their operations. These companies face mounting pressure to reduce their carbon footprint and meet neutrality targets. “Most data centres aim to operate in a ‘steady state’, striving to maintain consistent and predictable energy consumption over time to manage costs and ensure reliable performance. As a result, they’re dependent on the local electricity grid, where outputs can fluctuate significantly. AI-driven solutions offer enormous potential to address these challenges by optimising energy usage and predicting and managing demand more effectively. “Integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the grid can improve data centre sustainability, but this presents challenges due to their variable availability. AI addresses this by forecasting renewable energy availability using weather data and predictive analytics. This enables data centres to shift non-critical workloads to peak renewable energy production periods, maximising the use of clean energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. “When assessing the efficiency of a facility, the power usage effectiveness (PUE) measure serves as a crucial metric for indicating output. By monitoring and adjusting operational parameters in real time, AI sensors autonomously adjust power supply voltages, reducing consumption without compromising performance. “AI algorithms analysing usage patterns and optimising workload distribution further reduce this energy waste associated with inadequate server management and inconsistent allocation. The optimisation of computing resources in data centres minimises the need for, and use of, excess capacity, both lowering operating costs and maximising performance capabilities.” AI can also pre-empt system issues that can lead to breakdowns or long-term disruption. “AI sensors are facilitating predictive maintenance by analysing real-time data to detect anomalies or deviations in consumption patterns. Once identified, AI systems alert the issue to operators, preventing the activation of energy-intensive emergency cooling systems. “Integration of AI sensors is further beneficial in thermal modelling, enabling dynamic adjustments to systems, accounting for high-intensity computing tasks and external temperature fluctuations by predicting potential hotspots within the facility, based on data collected.” Julien concludes, “Together, AI and green technologies are set to revolutionise data centre operations by allowing them to manage larger capacities while reducing their carbon footprint. This not only supports sustainability objectives but also safeguards the transition to low-carbon, high-capacity data centres as the demand for data storage and processing continues to surge brought about by the rise of AI.”

Iceotope announces the retirement of CEO David Craig

Iceotope, the precision liquid cooling specialist, has announced the retirement of David Craig from the position of CEO effective from 30 September 2024. The company will be led jointly by Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Nathan Blom and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Simon Jesenko until the appointment of David’s successor. David will continue to advise the company and provide assistance during the transition period. Nathan has a leadership background driving revenue and strategy in Fortune 500 companies, including Lenovo and HP. Simon is a deep tech finance executive with experience supporting private equity and venture capital-backed companies as they achieve hypergrowth. David joined Iceotope in June 2015 and during his nine years at the helm, he has successfully guided the company through a transformative period as it seeks to become recognised as the leader in precision liquid cooling. His achievements include building a strong team with a clear vision to engineer practical liquid cooling solutions to meet emerging challenges, such as AI, distributed telco edge, high power dense computing, and sustainable data centre operations. The company’s cooling technology is critical in meeting today’s global data centre sustainability challenges. Its technology removes nearly 100% of the heat generated, reduces energy use by up to 40% and water consumption by up to 100%. The strength of its technology has attracted an international consortium of investors that include ABC Impact, British Patient Capital, Northern Gritstone, nVent and SDCL. David comments, “The past nine years have been an amazing ride – we have built a fantastic team, developed a great IP portfolio and created the only liquid cooling solution that addresses the thermal and sustainability challenges facing the data centre industry today and tomorrow. “I have enjoyed every moment and have nothing but pride in the team, company and product. However, it feels like now is an appropriate time for me to step aside, enjoy retirement, and focus on other passions in my life; particularly my charitable work in the UK and Africa. I look forward to seeing the future success of Iceotope and can’t wait to see what comes next.” Iceotope Chairman, George Shaw, states, “On behalf of everyone at Iceotope, we thank David for his dedication and endless enthusiasm for the company, the technology and the people who make it all possible. We know he will be a tremendous brand ambassador for precision liquid cooling in the years to come. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.” For more from Iceotope, click here.

R&M receives gold medal for sustainability

R&M, the globally active Swiss developer and provider of high-end infrastructure solutions for data and communications networks, has received the EcoVadis Gold Medal for sustainability. As it has every year since 2016, the EcoVadis ranking platform recently analysed and evaluated R&M’s environmental, social and ethical performance. The assessors awarded the company 78 points (out of 100), thus granting R&M 'Gold status'. According to EcoVadis, R&M ranks among the top 5% of all companies rated in the past 12 months. Furthermore, in the 'Manufacture of cables and network technologies' sector, R&M ranks in the top 1% of manufacturers assessed. "By awarding us the gold medal, EcoVadis recognises our significantly increased commitment to value-oriented sustainability. The EcoVadis assessment confirms that our sustainability measures are credible, verifiable and viable," says R&M CEO, Michel Riva. "Over the past few months, R&M has broadened its perspective to include every stage of the value-added process and the entire supply chain," reports R&M COO and Sustainability Officer, Markus Stieger. "Another milestone was the identification of all factors with which we can balance greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 1, 2 and 3. This enabled R&M to create a scientifically sound basis last year for the strategic goal of net zero. More than two-thirds of R&M’s suppliers use a standardised environmental management system. R&M is working intensively on integrating the circular economy into all company-wide processes. The managing directors and sustainability ambassadors from all R&M organisations are working closely together. R&M has globally standardised its own standards for personnel management, labour and human rights on the basis of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The EcoVadis rating is regarded internationally as a benchmark for the progress made by companies in the various spheres of activity relating to sustainability. The list of criteria includes climate and environmental protection, labour and human rights, procurement, business ethics and the documentation of sustainability measures. For more from R&M, click here.

HIVE to build hydroelectric data centre in Paraguay

HIVE Digital Technologies, a leading digital asset miner and 'green' focused data centre builder and operator, has announced plans to construct a 100 megawatt digital asset mining operation in Paraguay. Frank Holmes, HIVE's Executive Chairman, states, "We are thrilled to announce our plan for a 100 MW project in Paraguay, utilising green and clean energy sourced from the Itaipu hydroelectric dam. This potential opportunity is expected to add up to an additional 6.5 Exahash per second (EH/s) to our Bitcoin mining operations, increasing our global EH/s to 12.1 EH/s. This represents a significant milestone in our diversified growth strategy and supports our commitment to expanding our global footprint with data centre operations in Canada, Sweden, Iceland and now Paraguay. We are confident that this venture can deliver healthy returns and drive long-term value, fostering economic growth and innovation in the region." Stability in government fiscal policies, such as energy pricing and taxation, will be a key factor in HIVE's future expansion considerations relating to continued growth in Paraguay. Infrastructure projects such as data centres require significant foreign direct investment and a large scale project, such as a 100 MW data centre, is expected to generate over $100 million (£77.3m) of stable revenue for the Government's utility company over the next three years. As a Canadian public company, HIVE remains committed to full transparency and community engagement, creating local jobs and providing a stable income stream that benefits the national economy. By hiring locally, the company aims to contribute to regional economic growth, providing meaningful employment opportunities and fostering education and skill development. In Paraguay, HIVE will offer its experience and expertise in grid balancing and demand response to support continued industrial development, while monetising surplus or under-monetised power assets. Additionally, as the company's energy bills will be paid in US dollars, its operations in Paraguay offer a unique opportunity for the government by providing stable monthly US dollar income, acting as a strategic currency hedge, and ensuring financial stability in an increasingly volatile global currency market. In 2023, electricity exports constituted approximately 13.2% of Paraguay's total exports. HIVE says that it is proud to be at the forefront of sustainable and ethical Bitcoin mining practices. By leveraging renewable hydroelectric power, the company minimises its environmental footprint while contributing to the global transition toward greener energy solutions. This commitment to sustainability benefits the environment and aligns with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly business practices. Executive Chairman Frank Holmes, Chief Operating Officer Luke Rossy, Hive Sweden Country President Johanna Thornblad, and General Legal Counsel Gabriel Ibghy were on the initial scoping trip to Paraguay. Frank Holmes added that both Johanna and Gabriel speak Spanish and together have experience navigating cultural and business landscapes in Latin America. Gabriel Ibghy says, "We have made significant progress in identifying the data centre site and securing construction and power supply contracts. The transaction is subject to final agreements, due diligence, board approval, and regulatory approvals. We will announce further details soon."

CyrusOne breaks ground on data centre in Germany

CyrusOne, a global data centre developer and operator, has officially broken ground on its newest data centre in Germany (FRA7), strategically located on a 63,000 square metre plot at Frankfurt Westside; a 73-hectare commercial and industrial mixed-use regeneration project managed by BEOS AG and Swiss Life Asset Managers. This latest milestone follows CyrusOne’s initial announcement in September 2023 confirming it had been selected to deliver a cutting-edge 81MW data centre scheme that prioritises sustainability within the development, representing one of the largest waste heat utilisation projects in Europe. CyrusOne’s strategic partnership with BEOS AG and Swiss Life Asset Managers was subsequently solidified with the official ‘handover protocol' in April 2024. The first phase of 9MW of IT capacity is expected to be delivered in Q2 2026. “Germany is currently a critical growth market for CyrusOne in Europe,” says Carsten Schneider, MD Germany at CyrusOne. “We are investing significantly in the State of Hessen, and this groundbreaking further solidifies our commitment to make a positive impact and contribution to this state and to the German economy more widely. We look forward to continuing our valued partnership with BEOS AG as we work toward our shared objective to build the most sustainable and community-focused development.” The FRA7 development represents an ultimate investment by CyrusOne anticipated to exceed €1 billion (£840m), and the project is expected to generate over 500 full-time positions both directly and within its immediate design and construction value chain. The company is committed to supporting local businesses wherever possible, employing local people and offering training and apprenticeship opportunities. Working closely with the State of Hesse, the groundbreaking ceremony celebrates CyrusOne’s continued commitment to the German market, with distinguished attendees including Boris Rhein, Prime Minister of the State of Hesse, and Matthias Schmidt, Member of the Executive Board of BEOS AG. "CyrusOne's commitment to Frankfurt affirms the strategic importance of Hesse as a hub for digital infrastructure in Europe," says the Prime Minister of Hesse, Boris Rhein. “As one of the leading providers of data centre services, CyrusOne strengthens the attractiveness of the data centre market in the greater Frankfurt metropolitan area and contributes to the economic strength of Hesse. Data centres are an essential requirement for further digitalisation, the application of artificial intelligence, and to enable digital transformation in our country." “The collaboration with CyrusOne has served as a model for us from the outset, and we look forward to taking the next steps in this partnership,” comments Matthias Schmidt, Member of the Executive Board of BEOS AG. “The groundbreaking ceremony is another milestone in the implementation of our shared vision, in which the consistent pursuit of our ESG goals is an important building block. The symbiosis of data centre and campus development is now taking shape and will characterise Frankfurt Westside. What is being created here is not just a building – it is a symbol of international cooperation, as well as effective coordination with local politics and forward-thinking leadership.” With sustainability at the heart of the Frankfurt Westside project, the campus has already been pre-assessed for DGNB Platinum, and CyrusOne’s highly efficient data centre has been designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ certification as a minimum. Additional best practices that will be implemented include: Heat re-useProvision of waste heat by CyrusOne’s FRA7 data centre is a key aspect of Frankfurt Westside, with the facility capable of deploying up to 40MW of waste heat to the campus heating network through innovative methods when the data centre is operating at full capacity. The process is designed to enable heat from the servers in the data halls to be absorbed into a water system that will be connected via heat exchangers to pipe network infrastructure, built and enabled by BEOS, that will in turn connect to the buildings on the development. Depending on the heat requirement, the temperature of the water will be increased via a solar-powered heat pump within each building. This will enable the local community of users, industrial tenants and employees to benefit from a 'waste' product, thus reducing their carbon footprint. PowerCyrusOne and BEOS have contracted to secure significant power provision in a very competitive market for the entire development, with 150MVA utility power supply at 110kV. It also intends to invest in extensive construction measures to create a new redundant high-voltage grid connection and a dedicated substation serving the data centres and the entire campus. This unique arrangement is designed to bring greater levels of efficiency in electrical distribution so that each building in the development is able to maximise the use of renewable-sourced energy and to align with the anticipated energy efficiency targets proposed by German legislation. The data centre is also designed to incorporate PV cells on the roof to generate power for the office areas and other ancillary spaces. Biodiversity and communityCyrusOne and BEOS AG have worked together to breathe new life into the industrial park. The development as a whole will promote the efficient use of the existing structures, careful use of resources and provide open space designed for biodiversity, leisure, and recreation. CyrusOne’s dedicated biodiversity initiatives will also be prioritised, with ecological landscaping to increase biodiversity and provide habitats for wildlife, the provision of 5,500 square metres of open green space, and the planting of over 60 trees. Over 1,800 square metres of the facility walls and roofs will be ‘green’, not only creating an aesthetically pleasing outlook for the local community but also improving air quality by filtering pollutants, reducing noise and supporting thermoregulation. For more from CyrusOne, click here.

BCS responds to Chancellor's speech on data centres

John Booth, a data centre expert from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, has given his reaction to the new Chancellor's speech regarding data centres and lifting the ban on onshore wind. John comments, “We welcome the announcement by the Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) on a review of planning permission for digital infrastructure, including data centres. But we should not lose sight of the UK’s net zero ambitions and climate goals. We would advise a strategic approach using a spatial strategy to locate data centres outside the South East (i.e. around London), where the tech giants are based. Allowing data centres to be built on the green belt will not be sufficient; significant investment in the grid and distribution networks will also be required. “Whilst placing data centres near cities makes sense given the amount of time it takes for data to travel from one place to another, the government should also prioritise looking further afield to areas with more space, cooler temperatures, and abundant power resources. “Planning permission should include enhanced energy efficiency and sustainability requirements, including the use of recovered heat and replicating existing EU legislation regarding reporting energy and environmental data. “Lifting the ban on onshore wind is a positive move. However, location is important to easily connect the energy generated to the infrastructure - the national grid. This must be a central consideration. “In addition, the sector faces a skills shortage in construction and operations, and additional investment in training and skills will be required.” The new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, assumed her position on 5 July 2024.

Aruba achieves certification for new Rome data centre

Aruba, an Italian provider of cloud, data centre, hosting, e-mail, domain registration and PEC (certified email) services, has announced that it has achieved ANSI/TIA-942-C Rating 4 Constructed Facility certification for Data Centre A of the Hyper Cloud Data Centre campus located within the Tecnopolo Tiburtino area in Rome. The certification issued by EPI, one of the world's leading providers of data centre training and TIA-942 audit/certification, ensures (as a result of rigorous inspections) not only full compliance with the standard in terms of design and planning, but also total correspondence and conformity of what is actually built. The ANSI/TIA-942 standard assesses the resilience of a data centre, such as its ability to ensure the continuity of services provided. In detail, the Telecommunication Industry Association (TIA) develops its standards in accordance with the procedures of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which require them to be revised every five years. The ANSI/TIA-942-C standard, released in May 2024, presents an essential update to ensure that the implementation of new applications and technologies in data centres results in improved performance, service delivery and resilience in various aspects through more stringent risk analysis. Among the main new features of ANSI/TIA-942-C, it highlights that environmental sustainability and combating climate change are given greater attention with new considerations, including risk and context analysis, thus ensuring that the standard is brought in line with the most modern and stringent regulations. To date, all the data centres at the Ponte San Pietro (BG) campus, to which this first building at the Rome campus is added, comply with ANSI/TIA-942 Rating 4. This result was achieved thanks to a series of design and construction arrangements involving multiple aspects of data centre design and construction: site selection, architectural aspects, physical security, fire protection systems, electrical system, mechanical system and data networks. This also helps to ensure compliance with the requirements for the provision of services to the Public Administration as recently recognised by ACN (the National Cybersecurity Authority) with the assignment of the QI3 level to Aruba infrastructures, hence ensuring high levels of security. Stefano Cecconi, CEO of Aruba, comments, "Obtaining the highest levels of certification for our infrastructure is a cornerstone of our data centre and colocation services development strategy. Over the years, our internal teams have built important know-how that has enabled us to design and build data centres that have easily reached, and sometimes exceeded, the highest standards that various regulations over time have offered us. "It is in this way that Aruba is committed to providing services capable of guaranteeing the highest performance and business continuity to public and private customers who need to ensure the functioning of their IT infrastructures, applications, services or more generally of their online business". For more from Aruba, click here.