Intelligent Data Centres Issue 64 | Page 67

Quantum Frederick breaks ground on its 600-acre Nature Reserve

Korean AI firms leverage ultra-high-performance AI computing resources with Edge cloud provided by Gcore , and is set to transform the rapidly growing Korean AI market .

Quantum Loophole , a developer of one of the first master-planned data centre communities , has announced the company broke ground on its revolutionary 600-acre Nature Reserve at the 2,100 + acre campus , Quantum Frederick .

The Nature Reserve will act as a carbon-sink onsite , enabling operation of the first carbon negative industrial-development of its kind .
Once complete , the integrated Nature Reserve will have a total of one million trees . The project kicked off with a demonstration planting in collaboration with University of Maryland ( UMD ) professors and students , as well as the local community . The trees have been planted in association with Global Tree Initiative ( GTI ), an organisation focused on advancing global efforts in reforestation . The plantings feature all-native species selected to optimise carbon capture and enhance biodiversity .
The Nature Reserve expands on the company ’ s Bees and Trees initiative with the local Frederick County Beekeepers and students serving as caretakers of hives within the Nature Reserve . Maryland is home to over 400 species of pollinators which are vital for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health . ecology approach in data centre development ,” said Dr David Tilley , Associate Professor at University of Maryland . “ As these centres become integral to our livelihood and social fabric due to global increases in computing needs , the University of Maryland ’ s Departments of Environmental Science & Technology and Landscape Architecture , are eager to advance a partnership with Quantum Loophole .
“ Together , through research on nature-based solutions and demonstration of ecologically engineered designs , we aim to establish the global gold standard for more sustainable data centre practices ,” Dr Tilley added .
When the Nature Reserve is complete , it will be open to the public to enjoy scenic walking trails throughout the Quantum Frederick 3.5 square-mile development . The project is part of Maryland ’ s wildlife corridors network and helps play a pivotal role in preserving our environment ’ s natural balance .
In addition to revitalising the area with native plant species , the Nature Reserve acts as a buffer between human and industrial environments . This buffer ensures the health of the viewscape , soundscape and the community by using berms , trees and public trails to create benefits beyond traditional data centre development . �
“ Working in partnership with the University of Maryland and Frederick County , we made an important promise to prioritise the revitalisation of this site , from its dirty industrial past into a place that demonstrates the potential for modern sustainable industry ,” said Scott Noteboom , Co-founder and CTO at Quantum Loophole . “ The nature reserve is a vital differentiator of our master planned data centre communities . By integrating our own human innovations with those of nature herself , we ’ re able to help industry become part of nature , versus counter to nature . By doing so , we hope to set an example not just for data centre developers , but to help serve as a blueprint for any industrial development in the world .”
Master planning enables QL to achieve its carbon neutral goals through a two-step approach . Firstly , the company enables the reduction of carbon emissions through strategic site selection and paired with diverse high criticality power infrastructure – as well as substantiating renewable primary and backup energy supply chains . Secondly , the company has established the 600-acre Nature Reserve to capture all carbon emitted onsite operationally .
“ Breaking ground on the 600-acre Nature Reserve at Quantum Frederick marks a critical step towards a holistic , industrial
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