Deerns is embarking on a revolutionary project to create a cutting-edge ‘Modular Integrated Sustainable Data Centre of the Future’ as part of an EU programme for next generation data processing services.
The high-profile Modular Integrated Sustainable Data Centre project (MISD) aims to redefine data centre design and operation, establishing new industry benchmarks for innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.
The project is part of a critical programme to fast-track Europe’s participation in the innovation on Cloud and Edge technologies, namely the Projects of Common European Interest – Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI-CIS) programme, which received the go ahead from the European Commission on 5 December.
Deerns is part of a project consortium comprising, Deerns, Asperitas, BetterBe, Eurofiber, NBIP (Dutch National Internet Providers Management Organization), TNO and University of Twente in The Netherlands.
The MISD project timeline spans five years, running from 2024 to 2029. The primary objective is closely aligned with Deerns’ drive towards decarbonisation and involves the creation of a new modular system to be located close to end users (Edge computing) that prioritises a significant reduction in total energy consumption with a targeted reduction in CO2 emissions exceeding 50%. Innovations developed throughout the project will come together in a geographically distributed field lab.
Overview of the IPCEI-CIS programme
The European Commission will provide financial support to nineteen innovative ‘core projects’, with up to €1.2 billion of public funding going towards research, development and the first industrial application of advanced technologies. An additional €70 million will be allocated by the Dutch government for MISD and other Dutch IPCEI-CIS projects.
According to the Commissioner for Internal Market of the European Union, Thierry Breton, “With this IPCEI, Europe will reinforce its innovation leadership in next generation data processing services. It is crucial to deliver breakthrough innovation on Cloud and Edge technologies that fulfil European requirements for interoperability, data privacy, sustainability and cybersecurity.”
The aim of all projects is to develop breakthrough technologies that surpass the existing global state-of-the-art standard and enable:
- critical advances in data processing
- fewer technological dependencies
- less market disruption
- improved applicability
- enhanced mutual sharing of data.
Jonathan Clark, Data Centre Sustainability Lead at Deerns explains that, as part of the IPCEI-CIS programme, the MISD project is a crucial step towards the future of modular, integrated, and sustainable data centres, underlining Deerns’ commitment to pioneering progress in the industry while working together with partners to develop new solutions.
Clark adds, “We are proud to be part of the consortium driving the creation of a ‘Modular Integrated Sustainable Data Centre of the Future’ in the Netherlands. In collaboration with our project partners, we are pioneering innovative solutions for data centres. This groundbreaking project underscores Deerns expertise in MEP design, building physics, energy concepts and energy efficiency modelling. These modular, integrated and sustainable solutions will set new benchmarks for design excellence eco-friendliness.”
Here’s where we see the Future
Key Highlights of MISD include:
- Innovative Modular Approach: adopting a modular and technologically agile design, accommodating evolving technologies and eco-friendly solutions over time.
- Modularity and Technological Agility: focusing on creating a modular data centre, allowing for the refurbishment of small, replaceable cells, server racks, cooling systems, and backups.
- Scalability and Flexibility: prioritising rapid capacity expansion and customisation of computational needs within specific modules to efficiently meet projected demand growth.
- Research and Innovation: addressing technological challenges hindering advancements in the field with a data centre design that can undergo upgrades during its operational life.
- Collaboration and Experimentation: fostering a collaborative environment for experimenting, validating, and commercialising modular and integration solutions.
- Sustainability and Reduced Environmental Impact: minimising the environmental and energy footprint by integrating advanced cooling techniques, energy-efficient designs, and renewable energy solutions.
- Cutting-edge Achievements: integrating state-of-the-art advancements in cooling, task scheduling, energy flexibility, and cybersecurity to push the boundaries of traditional data centre capabilities.
- Long-term Commitment: Deerns is committed to providing the Design and Solution for the Datacentre Field Lab for further use after the project ends, emphasising ongoing research, innovation, and practical implementation.
The pioneering MISD project aims to redefine the future of data centres and set new benchmarks in innovation, sustainability, energy efficiency and security. Through its commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventional data centre capabilities, Deerns looks forward to contributing to the development of breakthrough technologies in the data processing sector.
