Intelligent Data Centres Issue 64 | Page 48

“ WE ’ RE OPEN TO TESTS AND INITIATIVES TO MAKE OUR DATA CENTRES A PLAYGROUND .
E X P E R T O P I N I O N

“ WE ’ RE OPEN TO TESTS AND INITIATIVES TO MAKE OUR DATA CENTRES A PLAYGROUND .

I hope to see one project per year now , as the previous are all at different stages of maturity . However , with district heating , they take a year or two longer as they sometimes require extensions .
Regarding public perception , we can ’ t be seen to be passively wasting electricity .
We must prove ourselves and be more circular in our approach .
How do you balance the need for data centre expansion with the need to reduce environmental impact ?
It ’ s complicated . We know it ’ s not possible to continue with the same level of consumption , so we must change the market . No one has a crystal ball to see into the future , but it ’ s not possible to continue as we have done previously . It ’ s about changing what we do with sustainability , digital and energy , and this change can scare people . At the end of the day , it ’ s about individual behaviour and our plans for future generations .
Although we ’ re a business and we answer to the market , we ’ re also considering the impact of regulations and the individual conditions of the future . We must manage our own limits . Our objectives at Digital Realty are to make the best effort possible and follow the wisdom available .
Why is circularity labelled ‘ disruptive ’ in the industry and how do you expect it to revolutionise operations over the next few years ?
Circularity isn ’ t only disruptive for data centres , but across all industries . It ’ s important to take the train at the start and not be constrained in the future – moving with the disruption instead of against it . We ’ re just an operator of equipment and it isn ’ t up to us to propose or develop solutions . Anticipation and preparation are key , as we currently don ’ t have all the solutions . �
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