Arup Associates believes that data centres, despite their power-hungry reputation, can be built sustainably 鈥� and for many, an LEED gold rating would be proof enough. Arup, however, has its sights on platinum
Data centres are not something that large companies are eager to discuss in these environmentally conscious times. They and their associated operations produce about 2% of all global carbon emissions, according to the IT consultancy Gartner. The completion of a data centre that vastly reduces power consumption and carbon emissions is, then, something to shout about.
鈥淒ata centres are enormous power users but that shouldn鈥檛 be a reason to be embarrassed about them,鈥� says Mike Beaven, director of Arup Associates. 鈥淚t is part of our society that we have an online, on-demand existence so these things are necessary. What we must do is tackle their design with a comprehensive multi-faceted approach. Then we can really make a difference.鈥�
Arup and the local office of architect TTSP say they have done just that with what they hope is the first of a new generation of sustainable data centres, which opened recently in Am Martinszehnten, 10km from Frankfurt. The 9300m2 project for the financial multinational Citigroup is forecast to use 70% less energy for services than a conventional data centre. Arup says it will require 260MWh a year for heating, against an average 404MWh, water consumption will be 30% less and CO2 emissions will be cut by 11,750 tonnes annually.
European first
The building is the first of its kind in Europe to be submitted for LEED accreditation,