Data Centres and Renewable Energy Project
Methodology
The project aim was to evaluate the feasibility of building data centres in remote areas in Northern Scotland, powered wholly or largely by renewable energy.
Approach
We approached the project from the point of view that “small is beautiful”: determining the smallest feasible size of data centre that can still be self-contained, and matching its demand from renewable resources. If the concept can be proved to work at small scale, then it should be possible to scale up in size.
Data Centres
- Literature review of data centres, benchmarking studies and client requirements
- Comparison of existing and planned data centres
- Led to definition of data centre size and IT demand
- Review of options for cooling
- Analysis of how much of the year free cooling is possible in N Scotland
- Led to definition of total data centre demand
Energy Supply
- Qualitative analysis of all renewable energy options
- Led to selection of options for analysis
- Supply-demand matching to establish number and size of devices, storage and other requirements
- Reality check for sustainability and costs
- Led to determination of cost and CO2 savings for feasible options
Location Criteria and Social and Environmental Impacts
- Review of literature and internet sites
- Discussions with contacts from industry and from Shetland Council
- Led to definition of these considerations