CCN profiles one of the most efficient data centres in the world which boasts a Power Utilization Efficiency (PUE) rating of 1.2.
The Green Mountain data centre near Stavanger in Norway is buried deep inside a mountain (250 metres or 1,150 feet) and abuts a cold water fjord. Situated in a former NATO munitions bunker, the data centre is powered by low carbon hydropower.
Three main power lines from separate hydroelectric plant grids supply ample, redundant power to the data centre. It is cooled by seawater from the nearby fjord, and gravity is a key factor in the distribution of that cold water to the data centre.
According to Green Mountain CEO, Knut Molaug, the data centre relies exclusively on renewable energies, and produces zero Co2 emissions.
It also one of the most secure data centres in the world. The original heavy, o.5m/1.6ft thick NATO blast doors are still in place and tunnels deep in the ground are the only means of access.
“Most facilities that are buried in a hillside, although extremely secure, pose a problem for efficient cooling and heat rejection,” Molaug explained.
“But we use an adjacent fjord to cool the facility. It's a cost effective and efficient solution to the problem with cooling costs reduced by around 30 per cent compared to traditional mechanical cooling.”
Moreover, there are no shutdowns for equipment replacement and maintenance. The centre covers over 13,600 square metres and is designed to scale to 25MW.
Another innovative feature is the use of seawater cooling.
Molaug said the water temperature in the fjord at 100 metres is a constant 8 C (46 F) all year round.
“The water is brought into the cooling station via an inlet into a trough that sits directly below the station and minimizes the amount of pumping that is required,” he said.
“The chilled water is then circulated throughout the facility using a fully duplicated (2N) infrastructure. The chilled water feeds into in-row coolers used alongside hot aisle containment.”
Molaug said power densities range from 2-6kW/m2, but the system can accommodate up to 20kW/m2.
The data centre was co-developed by Norwegian shipping firm Smedvig, IT services firm Ergogroup and utility company, Energi. Schneider Electric was one of the main designers and equipment suppliers for the project. “I estimate that 60 to 70 per cent of all the equipment purchased was supplied by Schneider,” Molaug said.