Hyperscale Data Centres: Scale, Speed & Strategy

Johnson Controls launches air-cooled chillers in Europe

Johnson Controls, an expert in smart, safe, healthy and sustainable buildings, has expanded the availability of its YORK range of YVAM air-cooled magnetic bearing chillers to Europe to meet the growing demand in the data centre industry. As the European data centre market experiences significant growth driven by AI and cloud computing, the YVAM is a crucial thermal management technology for hyperscale and colocation facilities, Johnson Controls tells us. Designed to accelerate deployment with an innovative, scalable and consistent platform, the YVAM also plays a role in ensuring compliance with the new European Union policy on energy efficiency and water conservation. "As data storage demand rises and chip density increases, data centres face increasing challenges with cooling technologies, including broader temperature ranges, reduced energy and water use, noise reduction and limited space," says Johnson Controls President of Data Centre Solutions, Todd Grabowski. "At Johnson Controls, we work with our customers to offer solutions that enable data centres to scale rapidly, operate efficiently, minimise resource use and maintain reliability in a quickly changing landscape." The YORK YVAM chiller consumes 40% less power annually while still delivering the same cooling capacity as other available products. In addition, YVAM offers the widest operating range, allowing for chiller operation from -29°C up to +55°C ambient temperature while producing chilled water temperatures between +15°C up to 30°C. This allows complete flexibility to use the same cooling infrastructure regardless of the cooling technology ranging from cold air aisles to immersion cooling or direct liquid cooling. Further features and benefits include: • Operates with zero water use on site, supporting the growing importance of water usage effectiveness (WUE) and the conservation of water.• Utilises ultra-low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant.• Leverages Johnson Controls proprietary magnetic-bearing technology, variable-speed drives and active front-end technology to maximise efficiency while eliminating the need for free cooling coils.• Produces notably less sound than screw chillers, operating at just 65 dBA at 10 metres - equivalent to the noise level of background music at a restaurant.• The lubrication-free design further simplifies the system by eliminating complex subsystems and reducing maintenance costs.• To ensure uninterrupted operations, the YVAM incorporates Quick Start technology with an integral emergency power management system, enabling the chiller to return to full load in as little as three minutes after a power interruption.• The YVAM is designed in-house and built using flagship York technologies.• It's designed to be a flexible platform that allows for easy inspection and service. "With its innovative design and industry-leading efficiency, YVAM is set to redefine thermal management in data centres across the region,” Todd continues. “We’ve already seen great success for this technology in the North American market and we’re excited to partner with our European customers as the AI and data centre demand rapidly develops.” Johnson Controls offers a wide range of air-cooled and water-cooled chillers as well as air handling units, all designed to meet the needs of hyperscale and colocation customers. These products are supported by a comprehensive suite of fire, safety, building automation and digitally connected services. In June 2024, Johnson Controls launched a dedicated Global Data Centre Solutions organisation to address the industry's rapid growth. Since then, the company has boosted capacity in key regions to meet market demand and reduce lead times. This specialised organisation allows Johnson Controls to provide consistent, high-quality, centralised solutions across the globe, while also adapting to the unique needs of North America, EMEA and APAC, ensuring smooth and reliable support for data centre operators worldwide. For more from Johnson Controls, click here.

New data centre in Abu Dhabi's Yas Island enters service

Pure Data Centres has revealed that its new campus in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island has become operational, with the first data hall complete and handed over to the hyperscale technology customer on time and to plan. The site, which will provide 45MW of capability overall, is Pure DC’s first venture in the Middle East. The construction milestone, which was achieved in partnership with Laing O’Rourke on 27 February, followed successful completion of systems testing on 24 February. Achieving operational status, following successful systems testing, was the first major milestone set for the project. This paves the way for the Laing O’Rourke team to focus on the next phase, which is completion of the central office building in May. Pure DC, which is backed by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, develops and operates data centres for some of the world’s largest technology companies. Each project is designed with security, quality, sustainability and health and safety at its core, with a focus on early engagement and collaboration with its construction partner. The Abu Dhabi project is a collaboration with Laing O’Rourke’s highly experienced multi-disciplinary data centre teams who work across multiple campuses globally, with the majority of projects delivered for repeat clients. Pure Data Centre’s Chief Delivery Officer, Jim McCarthy, says, “The opening of our Abu Dhabi campus is an important moment in the growth of Pure DC and also for our customers in the UAE. We chose to work with Laing O’Rourke because of their impressive track record at delivering data centre projects to the highest standard. It has been a fantastic collaboration, with all milestones delivered on time in accordance with the plan. We hope to develop the partnership in future as Pure DC continues to expand in key territories where there is high demand for digital infrastructure.” Laing O’Rourke’s General Manager, Ben Nicol, comments, “This great achievement and milestone further reinforces our position as a leading provider of data centres in this region – a sector where we have developed exceptional expertise. Our aim throughout is to deliver on every single one of our commitments and to further develop the relationship with Pure DC." Laing O’Rourke’s Project Leader, Chris Wilson, adds, “Fantastic work from Team Pure on reaching this important project milestone. The team’s dedication and hard work has been crucial to our success, and I believe that our unique operating model enables us to deliver faster, safer and more efficiently, helping our clients meet the rapidly increasing need for scale and pace. “A special thanks to Pure Data Centres for the seamless collaboration and trust throughout the process – it's been a true partnership. Together, we've achieved something great, and we're excited to continue building on this momentum.” For more from Pure Data Centres, click here.

Colt DCS launches new data centre in Japan

Colt Data Centre Services, a global provider of hyperscale and large enterprise data centre technologies, has announced the launch of its new hyperscale data centre, Inzai 4, in Tokyo, Japan. This expansion is the second site developed under the joint venture between Fidelity Investments and Mitsui & Co, and this latest site reinforces Colt DCS’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for data centre capacity and public cloud services in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. The first phase of the development is complete, with 4.8MW now operational. Once fully built, the site will deliver 20MW, increasing Colt DCS's total capacity in Inzai to 70MW. Inzai 4 is fully pre-let, which highlights the strong demand for Colt DCS’s innovations. The site was developed following Colt DCS’s Global Reference Design (GRD) guidelines. This means incorporating various low embodied carbon principles such as: reducing water waste during the cooling process, installing cooling chillers with low Global Warming Potential (GWP), and building the site structure with minimal steel and concrete usage. Colt DCS was the first provider to launch a hyperscale data centre in the Inzai area in 2011 and has continued to invest in the region, with plans already underway for its Inzai 5 facility. The area's stable bedrock, dense fibre connectivity, efficient rail links, proximity to Tokyo, and supportive local government make it a prime location for data centre expansion. Niclas Sanfridsson, CEO at Colt DCS, says, "The continued growth in digital services has created strong demand for hyperscale data centres in Japan. Inzai 4 is a testament to our commitment to meeting this demand and supporting the digital economy in the Asia-Pacific region. We are proud to contribute to the growth of the local community and remain a trusted partner for our customers worldwide." For more from Colt DCS, click here.

Yondr breaks ground on third phase of London campus

Yondr Group, a global developer, owner and operator of hyperscale data centres, has broken ground on the third building of its London data centre campus in Slough. Once completed, the 40MW data centre will bring the total capacity of the London campus to just over 100MW, making it one of the largest in the UK. The ground-breaking brings the site of a derelict paint factory back into commercial use, and the event follows completion of the first 30MW building at the London campus in July last year. An additional 30MW data centre is currently in the construction phase on site. Yondr’s third building on the London campus has been designed to BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standards, to deliver both reliable data capacity and sustainability. The new facility will be energy efficient in line with the company’s sustainability strategy and 2030 target for Scope 1 and 2 carbon neutrality. Solar panels will be installed on the building’s roof and the facility will boast industry-leading power utilisation efficiency (PUE). Plans for the building were developed in close collaboration with Slough Borough Council and the Canal & River Trust, with the goal of realising a building that actively enhances biodiversity and improves the canal side, with a focus on aesthetics and active transport access for local residents.A green wall facing out towards the canal is one of the ways in which aesthetics and sustainability have been integrated into the project, as part of a strategy of blending the building with its surroundings. The green wall has been designed on an independent structure to overcome the technical requirements of the data centre and it will provide both visual and acoustic shielding, in addition to contributing to biodiversity. Yondr’s commitment to sustainability will extend beyond the border of the site for the new data centre, with the planting of trees and shrubs which have been specially selected to be sympathetic to local plant species and wildlife. A new walking and cycle route will contribute to the health and fitness of the local community and help to reduce vehicular traffic by creating a convenient cut-through. In a further step to create a positive impact in the local area, Yondr conducted a community-needs assessment which highlighted challenges children face in accessing outdoor learning opportunities. To help bridge this gap, Yondr has provided funding for six classes from local schools for a day of hands-on learning at the Iver Environment Centre – allowing the children to immerse themselves in biodiversity, conservation, and the importance of protecting the environment. Peter Hill, VP of Design & Construction EMEA at Yondr, comments, “The plans for this third building on our London campus show a clear evolution of our data centre design and delivery capabilities. It demonstrates just how far we have come in embracing sustainability to deliver our carbon neutrality goals and bring forward exemplar data centre developments. “Breaking ground on this project is a milestone not just for this building, but also for our London campus and our increasingly strong presence in Europe. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped progress this project through the design and planning stage, as well as those who have joined us to celebrate today, and I look forward to a smooth construction process and handover next year.” The facility is expected to be completed in mid-2026. For more from Yondr Group, click here.

RWO wins ‘next generation’ data centre work

North East engineer, RWO, has won work to support the development of the first of a new generation of data centres, strengthening its position as a growing provider of services to the sector. The Newcastle-based firm is providing an undisclosed package of civil, structural and geo environmental engineering services for the Latos Data Centres hyperscale data centre in Cardiff, a Tier III asset designed to meet the needs of the most demanding global technology companies. The move follows the Stockton-based IT services and consulting specialists’ announcement to deliver 40 new data centres across the UK by 2030. Cardiff will be the first of its data centres to go fully live later this year, and it's set to offer a total of 90MVA across 50,400 square metres of floor space. Power for the site will come from a 100% renewable energy supply from the National Grid, supported with a backup feed from the neighbouring 1000MW Tremorfa Energy Park - which is one of the world’s largest battery energy storage facilities. RWO’s work, which is being undertaken in conjunction with Teesside architect, Create Architecture, sees the provision of engineering expertise to bring forward state-of-the-art facilities to meet strong demand for domestic data processing and storage capabilities. The data centre market is poised for significant growth in the coming years, with forecasts indicating a substantial increase in demand, particularly when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI) - with the European AI market expected to grow by 25.9% in 2024, with annual growth of 15.9% until 2030. The Cardiff project comes as RWO continues to expand operations beyond its traditional North of England heartland. Ross Oakley, Managing Director of RWO, says, “Securing this work is another big step forward for us as we continue to grow our presence in the burgeoning data centre design and build sector. Our involvement through the planning and pre-construction phase, coupled with our in-depth knowledge of highly-specialist industrial and temperature-controlled facilities such as this, has enabled us to bring forward an effective programme of engineering to deliver the project.” Latos plans to open its purpose-built data centres across the UK by 2030 as part of a mission to enable UK businesses to capitalise on the power of advanced computing, including AI. For more from Latos Data Centres, click here.

CapitaLand India Trust signs agreement with global hyperscaler

CapitaLand India Trust (CLINT) has signed a long-term agreement with a leading global hyperscaler for one of CLINT’s data centres under development. With this, CLINT is likely to pre-lease about half of its total gross power capacity under development of around 250 MW. Gauri Shankar Nagabhushanam, CEO of CapitaLand India Trust Management, says, "CLINT's decision to diversify into critical infrastructure such as data centres is validated by the strong interest shown by hyperscale and enterprise customers and positions us well to capitalise on India’s burgeoning digitalisation needs and drive long-term value for our unitholders. We are on track to complete the development of our data centres in India, accelerate leasing momentum, and unlock value through divestments of partial stakes to strategic investors. With the support of our sponsor, CapitaLand Investment (CLI), we are well-poised to meet the fast-growing demand for data centre capacity in India." Manohar Khiatani, Senior Executive Director of CLI, who oversees the group’s data centre business and is Chairman of the Trustee-Manager, adds, “India is a core market for CLI and we see strong growth potential across the asset classes that CLINT is active in, including data centres. This agreement with a leading hyperscaler is a milestone and demonstrates our ability to deliver world-class data centre solutions. It underscores our deep in-country expertise and strong vertically-integrated capabilities in acquiring greenfield land; designing, developing and completing construction on schedule; as well as leasing and operating data centres. "Digitalisation is the global megatrend of our times and CLI has significantly expanded its data centre business and capabilities worldwide in the last few years. With our 27 data centres across the globe offering more than 800 MW in gross power on a completed basis, we are well-positioned to cater to the expansion needs of hyperscalers and enterprises. “India is seeing a surge in demand for data storage and processing given the significant scale and growth of mobile and internet users and businesses widely adopting technologies such as AI and Internet of Things. The rapid pace of digital transformation, increased adoption of cloud computing and the need for data localisation will continue to drive demand for data centres. With 30 years of experience in India, strong technical capabilities and a global customer network, CLI is fully equipped to support CLINT’s growth in India.” CLINT is developing four state-of-the-art facilities in all the key data centre corridors of India (Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore). The company says that this strategic diversification strengthens its portfolio in India, enabling it to deliver quality risk adjusted returns to unitholders.

Tract Capital introduces data centre development platform

Tract Capital, an alternative asset manager focused on creating businesses that enable rapid scaling of digital infrastructure, has introduced Fleet Data Centers to programmatically meet the next phase of hyperscale data centre growth. Fleet Data Centers enters the market with a specific focus on mega-scale campuses with a prioritised target of single-user campuses. The Fleet Data Centers team consists of industry veterans who have already made a lasting imprint on the evolution of global digital infrastructure and believe they are uniquely capable of enhancing data centre development scale and operations in the face of rising demand. Tract Capital CEO and Executive Chairman of Fleet, Grant van Rooyen, comments, “We are focused on meeting the capacity and scale needs of tomorrow. Predictable and flexible data centre delivery on large-scale contiguous campuses is the logical solution for customers trying to navigate divergent demand forecasts. “The scope of our opportunity is expanding daily as customers search for new models to replace legacy building blocks and to meet the pace of demand for new infrastructure. Chris and I first worked together 26 years ago. I have immense admiration and respect for his body of work, his leadership anchored by a bias for action, and his character. It is a privilege to welcome him to our business family and to entrust the Fleet business into his capable hands.” Fleet Data Centers intends to build some of the largest data centre campuses in the world, combining gigawatt-level capacity with a campus-based commercial model that gives customers the ability to confidently secure capacity to meet their high-side demand forecasts. Fleet Data Centers’ campuses and operations will be designed in collaboration with customers to deliver seamless augmentation to their existing data centre fleets and access ongoing design innovation to intercept new technologies. Chris Vonderhaar joins Fleet Data Centers as President, most recently coming from Google Cloud where he served as Vice President of Demand and Supply Management. Prior to his time at Google Cloud, Vonderhaar served in a decade-plus tenure at Amazon Web Services (AWS) where he was responsible for the design, planning, construction and operations of the AWS global data centre platform, including energy and sustainability. Vonderhaar is joined by industry veterans from hyperscalers, wholesale data centre providers, network infrastructure providers and equipment vendors, who have collectively deployed dozens of gigawatts of data centre capacity across hundreds of data centres globally. Chris states, “Our team has direct insight into the challenges hyperscalers face as they scale. Designing, building and operating these platforms is getting harder while demand is accelerating. Hyperscalers need infrastructure that is going to deliver predictability and flexibility decades into the future. Our collaborative, long-term model backed by our engineering, system and operational excellence positions Fleet Data Centers to be an integrated extension of our customers’ data centre platforms. Grant and the Tract Capital team have been successfully starting new and innovative businesses for decades and have a proven and respected record of success. I am thrilled to be their partner.”

Harrison Street and PowerHouse sell Virginia data centre

A joint venture between Harrison Street, an investment management firm focused on alternative real assets, and PowerHouse Data Centers, a real estate developer for next-generation hyperscale data centres, announced the sale of ABX-1, a 265,580-square foot powered shell data centre with 60 MW of power, located in Ashburn, Virginia. The sale marks the successful completion of the joint venture’s first development together. Launched in January 2022, the PowerHouse and Harrison Street joint venture partnership has committed $3.2 billion to develop powered shell data centres representing nearly 6 million square feet of data centre space in Northern Virginia, Dallas and Reno. ABX-1 was fully leased to global data centre company, CyrusOne, ahead of the data centre's final completion in October 2023. "This project reflects the strength of the Northern Virginia data centre market, which has been the nation's fastest-growing data centre market for the past five years,” says Michael Hochanadel, Managing Director and Head of Digital Assets for Harrison Street. “Since forming our joint venture with PowerHouse in 2021, we've successfully executed our strategy of developing flexible powered shell facilities in Northern Virginia that meet the exacting specifications of leading cloud providers and colocation users. We look forward to continuing this partnership and expanding our portfolio across Northern Virginia and other strategic US markets where robust digital infrastructure is in high demand.” The sale of ABX-1 is a notable milestone for PowerHouse’s joint venture with Harrison Street. “PowerHouse’s innovation and expertise, coupled with Harrison Street's valuable partnership, enables us to deliver high-quality data centre infrastructure with unbeatable speed to market," explains Doug Fleit, Co-Founder and CEO of PowerHouse Data Centers. "With several projects underway across the country and a growing pipeline of developments, we remain laser-focused on serving the growing demands of hyperscale providers and creating long-term value for our communities and the broader industry." Following the sale of ABX-1, PowerHouse and Harrison Street have three campus developments completed or underway in Northern Virginia, with an executed lease, pre-lease, or letter of intent for 100% of the buildable square feet. In addition to the Virginia portfolio, the joint venture recently purchased land and started construction on PowerHouse Reno (in Reno, Nevada), and PowerHouse Irving (in Dallas, Texas), to develop new state-of-the-art data centre campuses to address the needs of these rapidly growing, highly connected data centre markets. Since 2018, Harrison Street has committed over $5.4 billion to powered shells, carrier hotels, colocation sites, and dark fibre platforms. Over this time, the firm has expanded its relationships with dedicated operating partners and hyperscale users, raised discretionary capital for a dedicated digital vehicle andrealised on its first data centre investments. The sale of ABX-1 continues to demonstrate the growing investor demand across alternative real estate sectors. For more from PowerHouse, click here.

IPTO and Serverfarm to develop data centres in Greece

The Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) of Greece and Serverfarm, a global data centre developer and operator, announced today the signing of a Heads of Agreement regarding the formation of Gemini, a joint venture with the objective of developing and operating state-of-the-art, hyperscale-ready data centre facilities in Athens and elsewhere in Greece, on sites owned by IPTO. This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in advancing Greece's digital infrastructure and fostering sustainable growth in the data-driven economy. Gemini will combine the collective expertise and resources of two leading entities in their respective fields. IPTO, as a crucial pillar of the Greek energy sector, plays a pivotal role in managing the country's electricity grid, ensuring stability, and embracing renewable energy solutions. Leveraging its extensive experience, IPTO will be providing reliable and sustainable power supply, essential for supporting data centre operations along with strategically located sites with access to power and optical fibre networks, as well as other operational resources. Serverfarm, as an expert in data centre development and operations globally, with a strong track record in commercial real estate ventures, will be bringing unparalleled industry experience and advanced design and operational know-how, ensuring that the joint venture will become a point-of-reference for data centre services in Greece. Gemini plans to construct and operate hyperscale-ready data centre facilities in the Greater Athens area, leading initially with a campus with committed power of 130MW, creating the foundations for establishing a robust digital ecosystem to meet the escalating demands of cloud service providers, content delivery networks and enterprises. The data centres will be designed with a focus on energy efficiency, utilising state-of-the-art cooling technologies and renewable energy sources to minimise their environmental impact, creating an unparalleled platform for hyperscale computing in Greece. The joint venture envisions Athens as a prominent digital hub, offering secure, reliable, and low-latency data centre facilities to national and international clients, bolstering Greece's position in the global data economy. Avner Papouchado, the Founder and CEO of Serverfarm, says, “As leading tech and hyperscale organisations continue to expand into Greece, we see a great opportunity to leverage our expertise in this region. Our strategic partnership with IPTO, underscores our mission to invest in transformative projects that create long-term value. The Greek data centre market is still one of the most under-served in Europe, but at the same time, its geographical location makes it ideal to serve as a data gateway between continents. “Our collaboration with IPTO in creating Gemini and our shared commitment to excellence and sustainability will enable us to leverage this immense potential to offer high quality, data centre services in Greece. Our goal is to cater to the growing needs of hyperscale customers in the area and elevate Athens as a major hub for the industry, shaping the digital landscape in the broader region.” Manos Manousakis, the Chairman and CEO of IPTO, adds, “IPTO is building critical infrastructure for tomorrow's electricity and telecommunications backbone networks throughout Greece and beyond, interconnecting the future. We are delighted to partner with Serverfarm, through Gemini, to deliver world-class data centre facilities in Greece. “Serverfarm’s vast experience in developing state-of-the-art data centres, coupled with IPTO's robust energy infrastructure and its strategic location at the crossroads of continents, will create an unparalleled platform for hyperscale computing in Greece, catering to the escalating demand for digital services in the region. This alliance symbolises a significant milestone for Greece's digital transformation, which is poised to build the foundation for a flourishing data-driven economy in Greece. “In this way, we fully exploit synergies and create win-win business opportunities, transforming Greece into a critical energy and data hub of high geopolitical value, at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia.”

Nokia building IP network to support AI workloads

Nokia has been selected by Nscale, the hyperscaler engineered for AI, to deliver an IP network solution to support AI workloads at Nscale’s new data centre in Stavanger, Norway. The data centre, which is powered entirely by renewable energy and optimised for energy-efficient cooling, will enable cutting edge AI services, including Graphics Processing Unit as a Service (GPUaaS), a technology which Nscale is an expert in. With a growing global demand for AI-driven applications that consume a large amount of data, Nscale required a reliable, high-performance network to support training and inferencing on large-scale GPU clusters. Nokia’s Ethernet-based data centre fabric provides scalability, programmability, and low-latency performance - essential for handling the rigorous demands of AI workloads across industries including education, healthcare, government and finance. David Power, CTO at Nscale, says, “Our mission is to redefine the boundaries of AI and High-Performance Computing through innovative, sustainable solutions. Nokia’s data centre fabric enables us to scale our GPU clusters while maintaining the reliability and performance needed to serve our customers with cutting-edge AI services. The flexibility of Nokia’s solution ensures we can bring advanced AI capabilities to market faster.” Paul Alexander, Vice President and Country General Manager UK&I at Nokia, adds, “As a hyperscaler, Nscale is already delivering turnkey AI development and deployment solutions to businesses worldwide. With support from Nokia, the path to accessible and transformative AI innovation has never been easier. By combining advanced Ethernet technology with sustainability, we are helping Nscale deliver world-class AI services while supporting its commitment to renewable energy and environmental responsibility.” The solution, based on Nokia’s 7220 IXR and 7750 SR platforms, is designed with the most modern, open, and programmable architectures to ensure ultra reliability, seamless automation and adaptability. Nokia is helping cloud builders worldwide to build modern data centre networks that are highly reliable, secure and easy to operate – which is essential to meet the growing demands of AI workloads worldwide. For more from Nokia, click here.