Data Centres

Data centres are intrinsically linked with enormous power demands that must be maintained at all costs, requiring highly secure and protected spaces with an uninterruptable power supply.

As engineers, our expertise helps developers and operators of data centres to be more energy efficient and through the recovery of waste heat, an enabler for low carbon energy networks.

By considering data centres as a ‘thermal battery’, they can be used as a heat source. Many data centres already operate on renewable energy, however, they are producing a significant amount of heat. The key in the early conceptual stages of design is to factor in the technology to capture this waste heat and re-use it effectively and efficiently. The technology and the process exist, and the opportunity to create value is real. We see Hydrock’s role as working with our project partners to make it common place.

The big issues

Our teams are experts at getting under the skin of how you can plan for the future and maximise opportunities. Just some of the big issues that we’re witnessing include:

Increased electrical demand

Due to increased server densities and rack cooling loads in excess of 50Kw, electrical demands on data centre sites have increased considerably in the last 5 years, with capacities in excess of 100MW often found. It means grid connection points and associated infrastructure need to be carefully considered and planned years in advance.

Edge data centres

In the next five years we are likely to see the emergence of ‘edge data centres’, as the decrease in the size of the servers means data centres can fit into smaller spaces. This makes them viable to be rolled out across the country and have a place in every town centre, moving closer to where people are, to keep up with consumer demands from the increasing number of home appliances all talking to the internet.

Opportunity for on-site energy storage

Due to their large electrical capacities, data centres now require National Grid connection points, which in turn brings the advantage of very secure and reliable electrical supplies. This allows the use of battery storage in lieu of traditional standby generation, which can be used to support the site and also generate revenue and make achieving planning permission easier.

Environmental, social and governance factors

Investors are increasingly shaping their funding decisions on the ESG credentials of both the tenant and the overall sustainability credentials of the scheme. Understanding whole lifecycle carbon emissions and the decisions made both in choice of construction and operation are critical to creating a successful asset.

Health and wellbeing

Ensuring that the overall workplace and surrounds is attractive to employees, is of increasing importance to data centre operators. Attention has turned to inclusion of external views, internal and external green spaces and exercise facilities.

Recovery and reuse of waste energy

Increasing server densities and higher data hall temperatures allows the recovery of rejected energy from the servers. This coupled with the increasing adoption of district heat networks and colocation with facilities requiring heat, means that the data centre can be used as a thermal battery to provide low carbon energy, assisting in the fight against the climate emergency.