F E A T U R E
2 ) Vertical expansion : operators can build multi-storey data centres in urban areas to maximise land use . This mirrors urban development trends where space is at a premium , allowing for significant computing power in a smaller footprint .
3 ) Efficient cooling technologies : to combat the space and cost required for cooling , there has been a shift towards more efficient technologies . Liquid cooling , for instance , rear-door heat exchange and direct-to-chip , supports higher densities of computing equipment in a smaller area , reducing the need for expansive cooling systems .
4 ) Embracing modularity : modular data centre designs offer flexibility and scalability , allowing operators to expand capacity without the upfront large land purchases . This model supports incremental growth , aligning investment with demand .
5 ) Strategic partnerships : partnerships or incentives from local governments play a crucial role . Regions eager to bolster their digital infrastructure might offer land at reduced rates , making it financially viable to expand in these areas . which is leading to more innovative ways for site selection and expansion . Traditionally data centres required space , power and were situated close to city centres . We are now seeing these locations saturated with multiple operators , and the space available for expansion is limited by existing buildings and infrastructure .
Data centre operators are therefore finding value in ‘ out of town ’ and previously overlooked sites that have complex engineering requirements and / or design restrictions . This includes sites that may have had a legacy of land contamination , affected by natural hazards such as flooding , or sensitive ecological receptors . This is then coupled with national sustainability targets as well as planning restrictions set by the local authority . We are then seeing power connections being brought to the site from urban areas .
As you can expect , the cost of the land may be lower on the outskirts of cities than in the centre , but the cost of development is typically higher , due to factors such as land remediation . We are also seeing value in areas of historical landfilling that require complex foundation solutions and land stabilisation . In contrast , the more rural greenfield sites have complexities around Biodiversity Net Gain and the requirement to enhance the existing biodiversity . This can be seen as a challenge when these areas are already entirely vegetated .
The effect of climate change on a particular location also needs to be factored in . This is because the impact from hazards such as flooding or heatwaves is expected to worsen , particularly in areas that already have an elevated risk . Engineers will therefore need to take these factors into account when designing new data centres .
6 ) Community integration : by aligning data centre development with local economic benefits , such as job creation , educational programs , or heat re-use , operators can gain community support , which can translate into better land deals or smoother regulatory processes .
Charlie Bruinvels , Head of Land Intelligence at BCS
The lack of suitable land is creating a problem for the data centre industry ,
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